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.

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I think she likes your letter, too. I know she always helps me remember your birthday. Not that I am a forgetful person where you are concerned, but that I seem to be pushed about a good deal from one detail to another.

It is kind of you to send your regards to Sarah Ann. Everyone is well here, and we all send you our best wishes. I would be so glad to know what Judge Hally wrote to you. You said it was a very nice letter, and that soon he would pay you a visit.

It is hard for me to answer your question about what is my favorite flower. I think I like wild flowers best. For that reason, I am very fond of all the single roses and larkspur, and batchelor buttons, and columbine, which I believe is the wild State flower of Colorado, but it certainly grows wild here too, and when cultivated shows a great variety of size and color. I love common field daisies, water lillies, lillies that grow so profusely all around our hedges and ditches. Right now, I myself, am raising some [doubll?] English nasturtiums. My entire family laugh at me and think I make a lot of trouble unnecessarily. I forgot to tell you that I have an alligator in my small greenhouse. He is fourteen inches long. One of my employees who lives in Florida had him sent to me. He eats hamburger, and will devour snails in a pinch. He has bitten me twice on the thumb, but I still like him. I take care of him myself, because no one else cares to.

I hope you will write to me soon again. Every good wish to you.

Always cordially,

Superintendent.

MVW/K

[left] please return file

TO:

Name Dr Miriam Van Waters

Street and Number Box 99

City Framingham, State Mass.

[right] CENSORED 3

BOX 1112

JOLIET, ILLINOIS

August 2, 1936

ALL REMITTANCES MUST BE BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER

[left] I recieved your letter last week. I was very glad to hear from you. You will never know how much enjoyment your letters bring to me. You write the proper kind of letters. Your check is very much appreciated also. It arrived at a time when I was almost broke. I try to avoid being broke as I find it very disgusting. I make every dollar 'squirm' before parting with it.

I am much interested in your alligator who will eat snails in a 'pinch.' I cannot imagine him having to eat just anything with you there. I am, however, somewhat surprised at you though. Whoever would suspect you of having a real live alligator? It seems to be a good idea tho. He apparently has evil designs on your thumb. There is no need of me waisting paper cautioning you, as you, no doubt, have already formed an effective form of attack.

Thanks for sending me a list of your flowers. We have practically the same flowers. You have a few that we haven't, and we have some that you haven't. We have gobs of Sweet Peas and always a few Glads. Nastutiums are very nice vines, but the demand here is for cut flowers and some pot plants. Our jobs depend on them; so we raise what they want. Five of us take care fo the Greenhouse. One of the five is in charge. We all work together for the commongood of all. None of us ever get into trouble by breaking the rules. If we fooled

[left] around we would soon be shoveling coal, and you know that 'position' is not envied by any person with his right mind

Dad came to see me two weeks ago. He went to Iowa after Mary Bell, who has been vacationing there for a few weeks at the home of my Aunt Sarah Reese. We had a nice visit. He sure is looking good.

How did you withstand the terrible heat of a few weeks back? It almost cooked me. I was very tired all of the time and to top things off, I ate something which almost finished me. During this period of weakness I was playing ball, of course, we lost the game. The lawn, flowers, and everything else has burned up.

Miss Binford hasn't written for quite some time. I have been expecting her down almost daily for the last month. I have a young canary for her. If you want one, tell me in your next letter and I will give it to her and she can ship it to you. You can choose between a yellow bird or a greenish brown one. The green bird will go along as he is pretty tame, but the yellow bird says he isn't to be caught napping by anybody. I was telling them what a wonderful person you are, and immediately both of them said. We are tired of this old cell! We want to go and live with Dr. Van Waters and possibly peck her alligator; so you see Doctor, the matter is out of my hands. Choose and give one of them a break. They haven't started singing yet, I think they are too young. They will be expecting great things of you.

Sending you my very best wishes, and I'll see you again before long.

P.S. If you wrote twice per day, they wouldn't be enough.

[center] Very sincerely yours., Russell McWilliams 5661-E

[left] TO:

NAME Dr. Miriam Van Waters

STREET & NUMBER Box 99

CITY Framingham, STATE Mass.

[center] File

[right] BOX 1112

JOLIET, ILLINOIS

October 5, 1936

[left] Dear Dr. Van Waters:

While looking thru some letters for an address I ran across several of your letters which I had kept because I love to read them over again when I have time on my hands. Reading the letters over seem to give me a feeling that all is well even tho some of them are over three years old. I only wish I could write as you do and with just a mall portion of your magnetism. Perhaps if I study real hard I may someday be able to interest the reader as your letters interest me.

Some sort of Prison Convention was held here a few weeks ago, people came from far and near to disucss various methods of Prison Management. I was perhaps being foolish but down deep in my heart I had hoped that you would come. Why you didn't show up after it was all over, I wasn't really dissappointed because I have learned never to expect too much. I spent many hours thinking of the things I intended to tell you. We may connect some other time. I'll come see you when I get out, whenever that is.

I heard from the Darrows and Judge Holly + Sec. Mr. Darrow is feeling pretty good. Judge Holly is fine just having returned from his vacation. His Secretary, Miss Betty O. Kane, writes a fine [newesy?] letter, which is to my liking. She came to see me once while enroute to Chicago from Tennessee. She is very nice, but I guess everbody surrouding the Judge is fine.

Thanks for the pictures you so thoughtfully sent me from Colorado. It is a very beautiful state. My friend, F. D. Yambert, in Cripple Creek has told me many things about his beloved state.

[left] Mike and his wife have moved out of Rockford to another city where he was offered a job in the beef killing industry. Better jobs with more money are seldom refused by one who will soon need some extra money, if you know what I mean. Most married couples need a little extra after they are married for a year or so.

I am locked up at three o'clock now. I will have time to study. I am thinking of quiting the bird business before I go roving mad. This black devil actually lies in wait until I pass underneath his cage then he kicks a half pound of sand in my hair, springs into his swing, and by the time I look up at him he is looking very meek and innocent. I have tried giving them away but my friends don't seem to want them. I asked you if you wanted one, you didn't. I may sell them all Monday but if I don't I shall hand them to Miss. B. when she comes and she can give them to an old lady who once gave me a bird. They are nice, but six of us must live in this small cell and I have five birds. No one has objected but I don't believe in taking advantage of good natured fellows.

When I write to others I cannot think of a thing to say but when I write to you I haven't enough space. I wonder why I jabber so much to you and so little to others. I simply dread writing some letters, but when I write to you, it is really a great pleasure.

You must give me all the latest dope in your next letter, and I hope that isn't far away. Please say hello to Sarah ann for me.

With my very best wishes, you may be sure, I am ever faithfully yours.

Russell McWilliams

5661-E