Miriam Van Waters Papers. Male Prisoner Correspondence, 1927-1971. Correspondence: M, 1935-1936. A-71, folder 612. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

[9 October 1936]

(2

I listened to the stories of the others, and I ate the fish.

It seems all wrong to have such a vacation and to write about it when you are deprived of shut up but perhaps [?] given writing of the mountains has given you pictures of it for your imagination. there are some persons who say the life of the mind, the thoughts and feelings we have when alone are the greatest realities. Some times I believe know this is true for me.

Since I cam back classes have started. The crops are in, and all the canning done. The girls in the shops are very busy. We hope to havea good Thanksgiving service celebration, a combination of songs, poetry, religious service and a sort of play - Bringing in the Harvest. There will be a good dinner of course, all raised on the farm. I am planning to put in a new ice cream freezer.

The first weeks in February I am going out to [Wreteha glhovais?] to make a talk to the women's club. I shall see you then, so save up all

those questions for I want to have a good long talk. The years have propbably changed both of us a good deal. When I saw you you were little more than a boy, tall for your age, but very young looking. Now you are grown up. I suppose I shall look much older to you. I am very always in the best of health but my Perhaps I ought to send you my photograph. Is such a thing permitted?

Tell me also is there something I should do in advance to get a visiting permit as I am not sure of the day or hour. Your warden was very kind to me, but now you are on a regular basis and then everything, life itself, was uncertain.

Your letters are splendid. They always give me something new and interesting to think about.

all good wishes to you Your friend -

[left] 1 George Baston - 2 File -

TO:

NAME Dr. Miriam Van Waters

STREET & NUMBER Box 99

CITY Framingham, STATE Mass.

[right] BOX 1112

JOLIET, ILLINOIS

October, Sunday 25, 1936

ALL REMITTANCES MUST BE BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER

[left] Dear Doctor Van Waters;

Your last letter was one long to be remembered. You have no idea how good I feel knowing you are to pay me a visit. I had to read it over again to convince myself that my eyes weren't deceiving me, my head spun and I can think of nothing else all day long and before I drop off to sleep at night. However, nothing else matters. It will be the biggest event in my life.

I enjoyed reading about your vacation, I bet you had lots of fun out in the wide open spaces. While I cannot enjoy those things myself, I do like to hear of others having a good time. I shouldn't think you would get up so early when you are on your vacation. Perhaps you have noticed that young people are more vicious, and older people dislike destroying nature's little friends? Young people cannot or will not think or see beyond their nose while people who are above thirty are the opposite and are because of intelligence naturaly kinder. "I mean some people" as majority never grow up.

Your girls will no doubt have an enjoyable Thanksgiving celebration. What will they have for dinner? You must tell me all about it when it's over.

I can hardly wait until February to see you, and as for my many questions, I shall probably forget them all when I see you. You will have no difficulty in seeing me as I don't recieve regular visits. You would overcome all obsticles anyway by inquiring for the warden and explaining the situation. Yes, you should send me your photograph. I will certainly take good care of it and keep it always as my most valued possession. We have a different warden here now, I thought you knew about it.

Miss Binford hasn't written for a long time, but then, neither have I. I feel terribly ashamed of myself. I shall write to her net week. I have a bird for her, but she hasn't come for it. That reminds me of your bird

I have one for you, you know. He is not quite four months old and he is trying very hard to sing, that indicates he will be a fine singer when he is older. I didn't want to send you a bird that wouldn't sing, but I have no doubt about this little fellow. It is possible that the long trip may do some damage to him, but he will make it or else. I shall have Miss B. make arrangements for shipping it with the old woman. The bird would hardly cheer her up as you suggested as she owns a large bird store.

Brother Mike was here Saturday. He now lives at Ottawa, Illinois, and is working for some small packing house. He doesn't work hard and only a few hours per day, receiving thhirty dollars a week for it, Chappels sent a man after him to make him come back and work for them offering .65 c per hour. He told me they must come up to at best .75 c, then he will tell the new boss he must have more money or quit. He feels sure that he will make fourty a week for part time before long. He will need it because in about three weeks I will be old Uncle Russell. I look like a runt besides him and I am a little over six feet tall. He says he can get me a job very easy when I get out. I do hope that [terms?] isn't so very long. I doubt if even you can fully understand how a young person feels with 99 years piled on top of him. But I musn't permit any of this. I have you for my friend, God's most precious flower, and your friendship is valued very highly by me, and I appreciate you so very much. I doubt very much if I could do it without you nd Miss B.'s encouragement. I will have five years gone behind the walls this month I hope God will hear a prayer, examine my heart, and act accordingly to his findings before I am much older. I read books, many generations have passed like a snap of the fingers and here am I spending my best years here. I suppose I must pay for my ignorance and foolishness of some years ago, but honestly Doctor, it's an awful price. Perhaps someday our Parole Board will judge by character and mental attitude instead of by years in gross numbers.

Give my best wishes to Sarah, and I musn't forget your "sparring pardner," the alligator, and my sincerest wishes for the bestterment of everything conserning you are forever yours.

As ever yours, Russell McWilliams - 5661-E

P.S. I will try to answer the rest of your letter the next time.

[left] TO:

NAME Dr. Miriam Van Waters

STREET & NUMBER Box 99

CITY Framingham, STATE Mass.

[center] File

[right] CENSORED 2

BOX 1112

JOLIET, ILLINOIS

Nov. 15, 1936

ALL REMITTANCES MUST BE BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER

[left] Dear Dr. Van Waters;

I have been waiting for you to write and you, no doubt, have been doing the same thing. As one of us must make the first move it may as well be me.

I received your photograph. You look very dignified and stately. Your hair is the most surprising thing. It was brown five years ago. It is possible that I was mistaken, of course. A few silvery hairs doesn't make one old. If an alligator came slithering through the door of my cell I would be grey before morning. I find one or two now and then as it is. You will find me pretty much the same. I will take my cap off this time. Do you remember how embarressed I was because they had clipped my hair? I had no idea who you were or what your intentions were. I soon realized that you were my friend. You asked me what you could do to help. I know of nothing you could do, but I sure wished there was. I thoguht you had arrived too late. I told reporters and many others that I would keep hoping until the end, but I knew I was lost. I suppose you saw everything at a glance. Soon after your visit things took a change for the better. If you hadn't of helped me I wouldn't have had a chance. I sure appreciate everything. I hope to be able to save you from a dragon someday.

Miss Binford was here last week. We had a fine visit. We seldom talk of freedom. When Dad gets the money I will talk about it. I sometimes despair of his ever getting it tho. He does all he can, but I guess employers prefer young men. Miss Hoffman came with her. She has been ill for the past two years, but she was looking very good. I gave Miss. B. your bird to send to you. Did you receive it? He was glad to get out of here. He knows your menu is better than mine.