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.

for food.

We are having lots of work here, sowing grass suds and [rolling?] the lawn. The weather is just fine, it breaks just right, always rains when we want it. If my opinion is worth any thing we should have all the flowers one can look at. All of this work increases my appetite so much that your five helped me gain a few pounds. I now weigh one sixty five.

I have a letter from our friend Miss Binford. She and Miss [Hozard?] the superintendent of the womens Reformatory at Dwight, Ill. were in an auto accident in Kentucky. Miss Binford's knee was injured and spent several days in the hospital. A bunch of drunken bums ran into them. I consider Miss [Hozard?] a friend of mine. I have met her a few times and once she sent me half of a chocolate cake. She ate the other half. She is very nice. It's to bad they were in the accident.

My canary bird died. I don't know what was wrong with him.

I was telling mother about you, and she said she could spare a letter for you. I don't know just when I can write again but rest assured I will write when I can.

Your letter was all very interesting, thank you very much for it.

Ever your friend, Russell

Reg. No. 5661-E Russell McWilliams

May 8, 1935

Russell McWilliams, No. 5661-E, Box 1112, Joliet, Illinois.

Dear Russell:

I was glad to have your letter of March 24th, which I do not seem to have answered. We have been very busy, both inside and out. Spring planting makes a lot of extra work. Last night in our gym we had a demonstration of the work of the girls in the gym classses. It was well done and enjoyed by some guests from the outside, and our own officer and inmate population.

On April 27th we had a beautiful service in our chapel when a stained glass window in memory of Mrs. Jessie Woodrow Sayre was unveiled. Mrs. Sayre was the wife of one of our former Commissioners of Correction, and was very much interested in our women.

I hope that by this time your mother is completely well again. Has she had her tonsils removed yet?

I am very glad that you are having opportunity for work out of doors planting grass seed and flowers. I am sure you will enjoy them very much later on.

I am very sorry to hear of Miss Binford's accident. Please remember me to her. I am also sorry your canary died. Perhaps he did not get enough to eat, or enough sunlight. Please do not sacrifice letters to your mother for the sake of writing to me, but I am always glad to hear from you when it is possible.

All good wishes, Sincerely,

Superintendent.

MVW/K

TO:

NAME Dr. Miriam Van Waters

STREET & NUMBER Box 99

CITY Framingham, STATE Mass.

BOX 1112

JOLIET, ILLINOIS

June, Sun. 9 1935

My Dear Friend:

Here is hoping that you are feeling fine and everything is going nicely with you and your family, and institutional work.

I received your last letter quite some time ago, and I have just found a chance to answer it today, but cannot do it very well as your letter is in my cell and I am writing this in our terrace headquarters. Outside many of the flowers are in bloom. You see, instead of the usual grass on the terrace, we have them covered with flowers of almost every variety, it looks good if I do say so, myself.

Mother has improved very much and Mary Bell, my sister, wrote last week and said they were going to bring her home. She should be home now if every thing went aright. I still believe in God, Doctor. Every thing of importance that I asked him for he always gave me, outside of one thing and that is my freedom, perhaps he don't think that so important as I do. We just live once and I don't like to be locked up to long, as it isn't the best thing for a person.

I crave more knowledge on shrubs and perennial. I wish you would send me a few books on the matter from some old and reliable firm. We have lots of them here and I should know more

1ST

about them than I do, and such knowledge may mean a lot to me now and later on. Perhaps you could find a horticultural encyclopedia. I think that would cover almost every thing, providing it does not cost to much. A good book is hard to find as they say so much and yet so little. I could get a few tracts from Washington D.C. but they are rather brief and I relaly want to know a whole lot of things. You would certainly be doing me a great favor if you could find such a book.

I am feeling find and getting along good I have never been "pinched," but I better not brag. There are many new rules here. the worst of all is we are not permitted to take our shifts off and tanned. However, things could still become worse.

Brother Mike was married the first day of June to Elsie Miller. It will be tough going but I don't believe he could find a better partner. Mom and Dad have not been spared one son, all they have left from all those hard years is one girl. I will surely make up for it if I can get out soon enough.

I will see you again dear friend. Thank you for writing and I hope you are healthy, wealthy and above all happy.

Yours as ever Russell

5661-E Russell McWilliams

August 22, 1935

Russell McWilliams, No. 5661, Box 1112, Joliet, Illinois.

Dear Russell:

I am sorry to be a little late with a birthday remembrance - the correct date is the 16th, I believe. Many happy returns of the day, Russell.

Some time I would like to have a letter from you about how your education is progressing this summer, and any other activities which you have taken a part in. Have you seen Miss Binford lately? If you do see her, please give her my greeting.

I hope your mother's health has entirely returned, and that your father and Mike are well, and working.

Every good wish, to you and your family, Sincerely yours,

Superintendent.

MVW/K