International Protest Prompted by a telegram from a Utah university instructor, the Swedish Minister to the United States opened an inquiry into the trial and conviction of Joe Hill, who had retained his Swedish citizenship. Minister W.A.F. Ekengren was instructed by his government to request President Woodrow Wilson to intervene to block the execution, perceived by the Swedish monarchy to be a relatively small request. Ekengren makes the request in this telegram, sent only days before Hill's scheduled execution on October 1, 1915. While kings may exert control over issues of crime and punishment, President Wilson carried no such power solely with the weight of his pen. If Wilson were to intervene, he would rely upon the Governor of Utah to exert influence on the execution. (Courtesy: Library of Congress) Read this historical document's full text                 About the Program || Joe Hill Home || PBS Home