I am not afraid of death, but I'd like to be in the fight a little longer.
-Joe Hill
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Thursday September 30, 1915
From The New York Times: Gurley Flynn Unable to See Wilson on Behalf of Joe Hill
Elizabeth Gurley Flynn
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From today's
New York Times:
TRY TO SEE WILSON IN
HILLSTROM CASE
-----
Mrs. Cram and Miss Flynn,
in Quest of Reprieve,
Fail to Reach President.
-----
NOT IN HIS JURISDICTION
-----
Salt Lake Prepares to Suppress
Possible Outbreaks on Day
of Hobo Poet's Execution
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29.-Mrs. J. Sargeant Cram and Miss Elizabeth Gurley Flynn of New York, an organizer of the Industrial Workers of the World, called at the White House today, in behalf of Joseph Hillstrom, who is sentenced to be executed in Salt Lake on Oct. 1, but were told by Secretary Tumulty that the President had no power in State murder cases.
Tonight Mrs. Cram and Miss Flynn saw Acting Secretary Frank L. Polk of the State Department and asked him to assist them. Mr. Polk promised to forward the representations made by the Swedish Minister to Governor Spry of Utah, who alone stands between Hillstrom and death. Hillstrom is a Swedish subject.
The women said they had become convinced that Hillstrom had not had a fair hearing, and that they were asking for a reprieve in order that he might have another trial. Hillstrom, who is an active member of the I. W. W., was convicted of having killed a grocer in Utah two years ago.
[Photograph added.]
There is little hope left that the Governor of Utah will be persuaded to grant Fellow Worker Joe Hill a reprieve. Preparations are now under way at the Utah State Prison for the Rebel Songwriter to be shot to death tomorrow morning. However, the Minister of Sweden, W. A. F. Ekengren, continues unabated in his efforts to win a reprieve for his countryman, and has emphasized his opinion that Joe Hill did not get a fair trial.
~~~~~~~~~~
SOURCES
The New York Times
(New York, New York)
-Sept 30, 1915
http://query.nytimes.com/...
Joe Hill
-by Gibbs M. Smith
Gibbs M Smith Inc, 1984
(copyright 1969)
https://books.google.com/...
IMAGE
Elizabeth Gurley Flynn
http://dp.la/...
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JOE HILL SAYS GOODBYE TO FRIENDS AND FELLOW WORKERS
Joe Hill to Sam Murray:
Utah State Prison,
Sept. 30, 1915
Sam Murray, 3345 17th St.,
Frisco, Calif.
Friend and Fellow Worker;
Well, Sam, I received your letter, but you shouldn't feel so sentimental about it. This dying business is not quiet so bad as it is cracked up to be. I have always said "a new trial or die trying," and I'll show that I meant it. I was moved to another cell last night and have an armed guard in front of my cell. I was also given a swell feed for the first time in God knows how long, and that is one of the surest signs.
Well, Sam, you and me had a little pleasure at one time that few rebels have had the privilege of having, and I guess I've had my share of the fun after all. Now, just forget me, and say good-bye to the bunch.
Yours for the OBU,
Joe Hill.
P. S. Sent a letter to Caroline.
[Photograph added.]
Joe Hill to Oscar W Larson (translated from Swedish):
Utah State Prison,
Sept. 30 '15
Oscar W. Larson box 148, Sandy Utah
Dear comrade--
I have received your welcome letter. The Swedish Consul has told me that you are much trouble in regard to me but you must not be so. I am sure that you understand my position. I have always said that I shall have a new trial because I know that I have the right to one. What has been said has been said. I have said it to my friends, it has been in the newspapers, and a man must stand by his word. I am right, and, as they say in Old Sweden, "I will not budge an inch. I'd rather burst" even though I burst.
Biography do you say? No! We shall not ruin the fine letter paper in writing such trash--The only time that exists for me is the present. I am a "citizen of the world" and I was born on a planet called the Earth. On which side or edge of this planet I first saw the light means so little that it is not worth talking about. The song and the "Girl" that I like the best of my own is "The Rebel Girl" and the one that comes after that as my favorite is "Old Man Noah."
I do not have much to say about my own person. I shall only say that I have always tried to do the little that I could to advance Freedom's Banner a little closer to its goal. I had too one time the great honor of struggling on the battlefield under the Red Flag and I must admit that I am proud of it--I shall now close with an affectionate and comradely greeting to all Swedish revolutionists and Verdantists.
I have been and am
yours for Freedom & Brotherhood
Joe Hill
[Photograph added.]
Joe Hill to Elizabeth Gurley Flynn:
Utah State Prison Sept. 30-15
Elizabeth Gurley Flynn 511 E. 134th St.
New York City NY.
Dear Friend & F.W.
Well Gurley I guess I am off for the great unknown to-morrow morning. I have said that I'd have a trial or die trying. They can kill me I know, but they can never make me "eat my own crow." I consider my self lucky anyway because I have manged to get some of the facts out, but not all of them by any means. Well I had the pleasure to fight under The Red Flag once, any way, so I guess I've had my share of the fun. I would like to kiss you Good-bye Gurley, not because you are a girl but because you are the original Rebel girl.
Good Bye. Yours for the O.B.U. Joe Hill
[Photograph added.]
~~~~~~~~~~
SOURCE
The Letters of Joe Hill
-ed by Philip S Foner
Oak Publications, 1965
https://books.google.com/...
IMAGES
Joe Hill
http://www.freedomarchives.org/...
The Rebel Girl, Joe Hill, Sheet Music
http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/...
Joe Hill
http://en.wikipedia.org/...
Joe Hill to Elizabeth Gurley Flynn,
Sept 30, 1915
https://www.flickr.com/...
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The Rebel Girl - Cathy Richardson
IMAGE
The Rebel Girl, sheet music:
http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/...
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