Presidential Intervention Under pressure from national celebrities, organized labor and thousands of individuals, President Woodrow Wilson acted against his better instincts on November 17, 1915 by staging a second attempt to block the execution of Joe Hill by the State of Utah. Wilson's first intervention had brought a brief stay of execution for Hill, and a wave of newspaper criticism of Wilson for his "meddling in a state's affair." This telegram to Governor William Spry clearly shows Wilson approaching the subject hat in hand. (Courtesy: Library of Congress) Read this historical document's full text                   About the Program || Joe Hill Home || PBS Home