Joseph A. Curtis papers, 1921-1990

Joe Hill (1879-1915) was born in Gavle, Sweden, to railroad worker Olof Haggland and Margareta. He was named Joel Emmanuel Haggland. When Hill was twelve years old he got a severe case of tuberculosis, and as a result he underwent various skin replacement procedures. Tuberculosis left severe scarring on his neck and nose. In 1902, Hill immigrated to America with his brother Paul. Between the years 1906 and 1910, Hill changed his name from Joel Emmanuel Haggland to Joseph Hillstrom. The reasons for this are unknown, however some speculations suggest it was due to Hill's involvement with labor unions and petty crimes that he committed.

Hill is most famous for his involvement with the I.W.W., nicknamed "The Wobblies." In 1910, Hill joined the I.W.W. in San Pedro, California. He mostly wrote lyrics and music for them, and he also gave public speeches on labor rights in the United States. In 1913, Hill traveled to Utah. Later in 1914, a store owner by the name of Jim Morrison was murdered. Hill, having received gun shot wounds that same evening went to a doctor for treatment, and told the doctor that he had received the wounds by fighting with a friend over an unknown woman. The doctor reported this to the police, and Hill was arrested and put on trial. Hill's writings in prison support the speculations that he was still involved with the I.W.W. and other labor unions. On 19 November 1915, Hill was shot to death by a firing squad at the Utah State Penitentiary. After his death, Hill was viewed as a martyr dying for the causes of labor rights and government oppression of labor unions. His death caused the support and national involvement and recognition of labor unions in the United States.