Miriam Van Waters Papers. Male Prisoner Correspondence, 1927-1971. Correspondence: K, 1954-1971. A-71, folder 600. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

[left-hand side] [center] II

[left] I had a swell visit on Sunday with Anna and Francis. He said he expects to be in touch with you on Saturday with regard to going to Federal Court-Monday.

On Friday he will phone Bill O'Halloran to MAKE SURE about the time and on which floor the courtroom is on.

I loved your letter to my friend the Editor of the Mentor. I know it pleased all who are connected with the Mentor

it was perfect!

[left-hand side] [center] III

[left] Jim's letters are cheerful and full of hopes for the future for SDG and himself.

Francis said, "a wonderful time was had by everyone at the Square dance last tuesday at the hospital. Mrs. Boyce was pleased.

The group Francis and Rita belong to is growing so large that they are REALLY in need of a bigger hall. The Armory, if they can get it, would solve all their problems, they are working on the problem and they can afford to pay

[center] 4

[left] a respectable rent. (last year they paid $2,500.00 in rental fees) From what I hear the Armory is standing practically idle.

Must close for now, will be looking for a letter from you after the Hearing at Federal Court.

[right] Much Love Always John XX

[left] Kerrigan

[right] Saturday morning

June 4, 1966

[left] Dearest Miriam,

Both your beautiful letters of May 13 and 26 arrived in good time as usual. I thank you so much for including the quote you used on the banner of the CLA bulletin, not only because its such a wonderful saying, BUT because you KNEW I would like it and, I love that about you.

I haven't talked with Francis yet since the good meeting you had at the church in Auburndale. He has been working week-ends and may even be working today though I know he'd rather be at Carlings. However, I received a nice letter from his wife Rita and she told me how pleased you were with the articles from Walpole.

As you read this, up there in Wonderful Vermont, the day at Carlings will be a memory but from the looks of the weather, as I look out, its a good good day and the FAIR has got to be a great success.

If I see Francis tomorrow (once again, he may be working) I will inquire about Ralph with the hope that

[right-hand side] [left] something was worked out RE: a summer job. I certainly enjoyed reading about some of the letters you've received including your comment on the anony's. Ha Ha Haaaa -- If one ever needs additional proof that they are succeeding in the good fight all they need do is look at the anonymous's mail -- Simply no name, no class.

I know how you love Vermont - this must be a very beautiful time of the year there. You are with your wonderfully brave and good friend (a TOP writer in her own right) Helen Bryan. I imagine you discuss ideas for chapters of a book -- and make notes. Did I guess right?

I'm enthused, with certain reservations, about the plans for a new institution for youthful offenders. see the May issue of THE MENTOR. The part I like best is Mr. Fitzpatrick's answer to the query "What do you want to see in a new penal colony?" where he said "We want a therapeutic community which provides men opporturnities to mature in terms of socializations, vocation and education."

[left-hand side] [left] Incidentally Dear Miriam, in that same issue there's an introduction to the Council Chairman, Joseph Danese, whom I believe you've met when you attended with Francis the Narcotic Addicts group. I believe Michael Coggins (who just received a one year setback) introduced you. Well, anyway he did much towards the donation of gifts by so many of the men here and I know you would want to be informed about that. Will do better next year. Because there will be an earlier start.

Please do not bother writing here while you are SUPPOSED to be relaxing a little - I HOPE - up there.

[right] Just know that I am with you ALWAYS and Love every minute.

Yours John XO

[left] Kerrigan

[right] Box 100

So. Walpole, Mass.

June 27, 1966

[left] Dearest Miriam,

Your beautiful card from Vermont arrived safely and is taped to the wall above my desk. I love it. Your letter of the 20th certainly was and is very special. Just from the outline you gave me plus what I've read and heard over the years makes me think about the saga of Victoria and Carlos Maeztu. I can just imagine those years, in a cell, in Spain, followed by the strains of the deportation struggle. Truth has it all over fiction when it comes to a thrilling story -- the Maeztu's prove it.

We expect to have a decision any day now from the Circuit Court of Appeals but we are not too optomistic now in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's rulings on June 20th which said that the ESCOBEDO rule (the one we, primarily, used as a basis for our appeal) is not retroactive. This simply means that what was done to me in 1961 was legal BUT if any law enforcement agency were to do the same things to a suspect today (or since ESCOBEDO was decided in 1964) it would be illegal & unconstitutional.

However, as Bill O'Halloran pointed out in a recent letter, we have other bases on which to appeal for a reversal and our future action will depend somewhat on the language of the opinion by the Circuit Court.

Bill said that as soon as receives the decision he will make plans to visit with me and discuss the next move -- any discussion now would only be speculative because we don't know how or what the Circuit Court is going to say.

I enjoyed seeing your letter to the Editor in the MENTOR with the focus on those terrible 'drugs' we know something about APATHY, INDIFFERENCE and COMPLACENCY.

I haven't seen brother Francis in weeks. He is putting in some overtime at work on week-ends But he sent me some word about the Country Fair and my sister Anna who has visited the past two Wednesday's can't stop marvelling at the way the FAIR went "Just too beautiful for words" she said no booth could begin to compare with the MDA for Class & variety & etc. As a matter of fact Sis and I were wondering if this Country Fair will be an annual affair? She thinks its the greatest Public-relations & good advertising situation that any Corporation could hope for. I have the very highest regard and praise for the organizers who planned - laid-out and set-up the whole thing. Tents - Booths - Loudspeakers - Babysitters - Buses to transport people from parking areas - Entertainment and Etc., Etc., .....

[right] I'm sure to be catching you again soon

With very much love Always. Yours. XO

John

[left] Kerrigan