Joe Hill was a Swedish immigrant, a songwriter, a worker and a member of the Industrial Workers of the World, the Wobblies. He was a prolific songwriter for his union, which contributed to the IWW’s growth in the early 20th century AS a singing union. While working in Utah, he was accused of a double homicide, which he likely did not commit. Despite an international campaign to save him, which included the Swedish ambassador, Helen Keller and President Wilson, he was executed for those murders. The State of Utah easily condemned Joe Hill and his union as troublemakers.
The 100 year anniversary of Hill's death is November 19th. Join the Salt Lake Tribune and the Joe Hill Organizing Committee September through November as events throughout the Salt Lake Valley and publications commemorate the life and legacy of Joe Hill and the historical beginnings of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW.)
For more information visit JoeHill2015.org and SLTrib.com.
Jeremy Harmon is the director of photography at The Tribune. He has worked at the paper since 2007.
Tom Harvey covers federal court and white collar crime. He started working at The Tribune in 1994.
