No harm to him can we allow;
He needs our help and he needs it now;
He’s in their dungeon, dark and grim;
He fought for us; we will stand by him.
-Ralph Chaplin
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Friday August 6, 1915
From Solidarity: Joe Hill Calls Off Defense Campaign, States He Feels "Much Better."
In a letter to Ed Rowan, chairman of the Defense Committee, Joe Hill informs Rowan and the fellow workers of the committee that "the case is dropped." The letter was published in the July 31st edition of
Solidarity, an I. W. W. newspaper:
July 22-15
Ed Rowan & FW's
Have written to Hilton & Haywood and informed them of the fact that the case is dropped. I enclose another letter from Hilton. Wish you would send the two of them to E.G. F. in N. Y. I think she can use them for the purpose of publicity. Well I feel a lot better after dropping the case. I[t] seems as if a ton of lead had been lifted from my chest and hoping that you feel the same, I remain
As Ever
Joe
Joe Hill's declaration notwithstanding, the Defense Committee has not ceased it's campaign to save his life. The following communication was found in this month's edition of the
International Socialist Review:
Save Joe Hill—By this time you all know that the Supreme Court of Utah has affirmed the verdict of the lower court in the case of Fellow Worker Joe Hill, which means that he will be shot in about six weeks unless we take an appeal on a writ of error, and take it up to the U. S. Supreme Court. We are confident that if the case of Joe Hill could be tried outside of the state of Utah, before unbiased judge and jury, that the jury would acquit him without even leaving their seats. This may sound like boasting, but the fellow workers from outside locals who witnessed the court trial and the hearing before the state Supreme Court know well that there is no case against Joe Hill.
Some of the prosecution's testimony sounded so ridiculous that the spectators laughed outright and the judge threatened to clear the court room. Now, fellow workers, it is not necessary to go over details again. By this time the members of the I. W. W. are familiar with the facts in this case. What is needed is action—and quick action at that! Lawyers will not work for nothing. Money must be raised at once to fight the case to a finish. It's of no use to debate whether we can get justice in a capitalistic court or not.
While there is life there is hope, and we can't give up while there is even one chance in a thousand to save Joe Hill's life. He's in the dungeon dark and grim; he fought for us, we'll stand by him! Do something, and do it quick. Hold protest meetings, collect funds and give the case the widest publicity. Remember, there is no time to lose. The law only gives us twenty days to file the writ of error. Act now before it is too late. Send all funds to Geo. Childs, 215 E. First street, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Ed. Rowan,
Phil Engle,
Jas. Wilson.
[Paragraph breaks added.]
~~~~~~~~~~
SOURCES
The Letters of Joe Hill
-ed by Philip S Foner
Oak Publications, 1965
https://books.google.com/...
The International Socialist Review, Volume 16
-ed by Algie Martin Simons, Charles H. Kerr
Charles H. Kerr & Company, 1915
https://books.google.com/...
ISR Aug 1915
https://books.google.com/...
"Save Joe Hill"
https://books.google.com/...
IMAGE
Ad for Solidarity's July 31st edition
https://books.google.com/...
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Letters from O. N. Hilton to Joe Hill
Dated July 19th, sent from Denver:
Dear Joe:
Yours of the 14th just at hand and I incluse you a letter, just received this A. M. from Haywood, also one from Rowan and a telegram rec'd yesterday from Christensen. I answered the latter yesterday by wire telling him that if he felt that a rehearing was no use, not to make it but to apply to the Pardoning Board for a commutation of sentence. I am moved to this conclusion for a variety of reason principally from the fact that a hearing before the Supreme Ct. at Washington would necessitate a trip there and this of course would be expensive and we are without funds. The irony of the whole miserable matter is intensified when we know that it could all have been avoided if you had even a decent defense in the court below. I shall co-operate in every way with Haywood and write him again fully to-day. if you conclude to have the case taken to the United States Supreme Ct. get word of it to Christensen in some way and have him file application for a rehearing for without it we can go no further. Frankly however I do not believe it will avail us anything. I am generally distressed as I read your letters, yet admire the manly, courageous stand you take--for good game people are scarce. I shall hope to hear from you from time to time.
Sincerely yr. friend
O. N. Hilton.
Excuse pencil
[Photograph added.]
Dated July 20th, sent from Denver:
My dear Hillstrom
I thought about your case half the night and conclude to say a word more in addition to what I wrote yesterday. I am at serious disadvantage being so far away and so cannot conclude safely just what is the best way to pursue if any. My present notion is to the pardoning Board for a commutation. Nothing else is left as we are utterly without funds to make any further battle and even this may be futile as the Board is composed of the members of the Supreme Court, the Atty gen. and the Gov. of the state. These men have already passed on your case with the exception of the Gov. and he has been in receipt of threatening letters foolishly sent him by some members of the I.W.W.
It is very distressful for me to decide just what is wise to advise and I cannot so do until I hear from Haywood; but it does seem this is all there is left, altho the outlook is not promising. See if you cannot reach Christensen and get his ideas. He is through with that investigation and his judgment of local matters and conditions would be superior to mine. I will also write him to-day and ask him to interest himself at least to the extent of giving you his opinion. The letter that you wrote me touched me deeply and I want you to feel that what the boys owe me for my services already cuts no figure with me and I would gladly renounce it all and as much more if I could accomplish any good thing for you and right this monstrous injustice that has been done you. If I am unable to so to do, I know you will appreciate that it is not for the lack of money which have not got, or a sincere belief in you as a man, and your innocence.
Sincerely your friend.
O. N. Hilton.
~~~~~~~~~~
SOURCE
Letters of Joe Hill, see above
IMAGE
Orrin N Hilton
http://darrow.law.umn.edu/...
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Dear Readers of Hellraisers,
This year for my vacation, Hellraisers will not be as scaled back as it was for the past two vacations. This happy change is due to my new & much faster computer.
The big change that my readers will see, starting July 16th, will be the shorter length of the postings along with fewer links.
When my readers find unfamiliar names, places, or events, please use the tags along with JayRaye (in diarist section of search feature). Or just leave a question for me in the comments and I will get back to you.
When I actually leave for Minnesota, I'll let everyone know.
Solidarity,
JayRaye
Note: Vacation has started! Until Aug 7th, I'll be able to check in about twice a day. From Aug 8-30th, I'll be checking in only 2 or 3 times per week. Hope everyone keeps on Raising Hell (with the corporate powers, not with each other) until my return from Minnesota.
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Tune: The Red Flag - Billy Bragg
Joe Hill In Jail
A rebel we have know for long,
Who’s thrilled us often with his song,
Has fallen on an evil day:
They seek to take his life away!
No harm to him can we allow;
He needs our help and he needs it now;
He’s in their dungeon, dark and grim;
He fought for us; we will stand by him.
They’d fill his warrior heart with lead
And gloat to see him safely dead:
His voice forever hushed and still,
Our singing, fighting brave Joe Hill!
No harm to him can we allow;
He needs our help and he needs it now;
He’s in their dungeon, dark and grim;
He fought for us; we will stand by him.
His spirit gloried in the fight:
In Labor’s sure resistless might;
And One Big Union, staunch and strong:
This was the burden of his song.
No harm to him can we allow;
He needs our help and he needs it now;
He’s in their dungeon, dark and grim;
He fought for us; we will stand by him.
His heart was hot with burning hate
Against the bosses, small and great;
He told what haughty Sab-cats do,
And all about the wooden shoe.
No harm to him can we allow;
He needs our help and he needs it now;
He’s in their dungeon, dark and grim;
He fought for us; we will stand by him.
The “long-haired preachers” feared his name;
He filled apologists with shame:
While “Mister Block” so bland and meek,
With “Scissor-bill” did take a sneak.
No harm to him can we allow;
He needs our help and he needs it now;
He’s in their dungeon, dark and grim;
He fought for us; we will stand by him.
Now, boys, we’ve known this rebel long;
In every land, we’ve sung his song;
Let’s get him free that he may see
The day of our great victory!
No harm to him can we allow;
He needs our help and he needs it now;
He’s in their dungeon, dark and grim;
He fought for us; we will stand by him.
He made them hate him high and low;
They feared his tuneful message so;
He’d fight for us while he had breath;
We’ll save him from the jaws of death!
No harm to him can we allow;
He needs our help and he needs it now;
He’s in their dungeon, dark and grim;
He fought for us; we will stand by him.
-Ralph Chaplin, 1914
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