Miriam Van Waters Papers. Reformatory for Women at Framingham, 1876-1970. Subseries 3. Student correspondence, 1936-1971, n.d. Correspondence: B, 1943-1944. A-71, folder 274. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

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I got a beautiful letter from George's mother last week. I'd send it to you but am afraid it might get lost in the mail. She does not know about Beverly but I have [ans.?] and told her. She seems to be a lovely person and I am sorry for her - the way he treats her too. But we love him still.

The nurses tell me that he is in quite often to see the baby. They think he is her doctor. touching - what! Cound it mean anything? The nurses also

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say that Virginia is divorcing him, but I doubt it - thought I have heard it from other sources. Too good to be true I'll believe it when I see it.

Just got a card from Tobey + Harry. They are in Pa. visiting Harry's people. Be back soon I guess.

Have been looking for work all week but it isn't very easy to find something I am able to do with the dire restrictions, threats + predictions of my new

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doctor as a guide. I have as follows - a [rectusseal?], a [cystuseal?], a torn [apiseat-?] [omy?], a cyst on my eye and a small skin cancer on my abdomen plus secondary anemia blood count 55 - should be 90. Otherwise I am fine! All joking aside - I do feel pretty good considering.

Have applied for unemployment compensation. Will get it Oct. 1st. May have to fo on A.D.C. or some sort of welfare if I can't get work. At least I would have baby with me. They have no home for her now either. Can you tell me anything about these organizations? Please write soon. Love Barbara

New England Home for Little Wanderers Berkshire Branch

DIRECTORS MRS. TRACY B. AMBLER MRS. STANLEY P. SENTON MR. ALAN BLAU REV. H. ELLIOT CHAFFEE MRS. SAMUEL G. COLT, JR. MR. C. HERRICK COOK MRS. FREDERICK G. CRANE MRS. ALMON P. CULVER MRS. DAVID T. DANA, JR. MRS. ELMER E. DAWSON, JR. MRS. HENRY W. DWIGHT MRS. ALBERT C. ENGLAND MRS. G. CHURCHILL FRANCIS MRS. RICHARD H. GAMWELL DR. LOUIS GROSS MRS. HENRY J. GUILD MR. JAME W. HAGAR MRS. HAROLD B. KELLEY, JR. MRS. CHARLES W. KELLOGG MR. CHARLES J. KITTREDGE MRS. CHAUNCEY C. LOOMIS MRS. CLIFFORD MANNAL MRS. LAWRENCE K. MILLER MRS. DARWIN S. MORSE MR. CHARLES MUZZY MR. GEORGE A. NEWMAN MRS. ADELBERT T. NEWTON MRS. MORRIS PELL MRS. PETER PERAULT MRS. CARL A. PIERCE MRS. BRENTON C. POMEROY MRS. CHARLES W. POWE MRS. WILLIAM T. RICE MR. LESTER ROBERTS MRS. PRESTON ROBINSON MRS. SEVERANCE SAWYER MRS. EDWARD SITZER MRS. GEORGE L. TAYLOR MRS. GEORGE H. THOMPSON MRS. ROBERT K. THOMPSON MRS. EDWARD K. THURLOW

OFFICE: Room 211, 8 Bank Row Pittsfield, Mass. Dial 7772

MRS. RICHARD H. GAMWELL, PRESIDENT MRS. LAWRENCE K. MILLER. 1ST VICE-PRESIDENT MRS. ALBERT C. ENGLAND, 2ND VICE-PRESIDENT MRS. SAMUEL G, COLT JR., SECRETARY MR. C. HERRICK COCK, TREASURER CHAIRMAN FINANCE COMMITTEE MRS, ELMER E. DAWSON, JR. CHAIRMAN CASE COMMITTEE

RUTH W. SIAS, AGENT HARRIET POLAND, VISITOR GRACE E. WILLIAMS, VISITOR

REFORMATORY FOR WOMEN OCT 2 1844 FRAMINGHAM

September 27, 1944 Dr. Miriam Van Waters, Reformatory for Women, Framingham, Massachusetts. Re: Barabara Brown Dear Dr. Van Waters: We have heard from Barbara that she is expecting a visit from her former Probation Officer, Miss Kelly on October 4th, and that we would be very much interested, if Miss Kelly has time,.that she come to our office for a conference. Sincerely yours, Grace E. Williams EMK GEW:APR (Miss) Grace E. Williams. Can you sa[g?].

MEMBER: Pittsfield Community Fund Association; North Adams Community Chest; and Williamstown Welfare Association

I visited Miss Williams and her boss Mrs. somebody I don't remember, but very nice.

They are glad to know that you are interested in Barbara andpromise to go along with her plans for Beverly as far as they possibly can. They complain that Barbara talks too much about herself, telling everyone she meets all the gory details of Framingham and her case before she ever came here. Also they think she is too possessive of Beverly, and also they think she is in no position to be so bossy about her. She should be warned.

Barbara herself looks as well as I have ever seen her look. Beverly whom I saw at St. Luke's hospital looks all right to me, but the nurses said her feeding formula is not yet right.

Hellen Brannuck, with whom Barbara is still living will have to have an operation at Leahy clinic in a month or so, and Barbara should be moving on. She has promise of a job as helper in a hairdressing establishment,cleaning up the hair and soiled towels etc, about Nov. 1, and in the meantime is receiving social security compensation of $18. per week. So things are looking up a little, but Beverly is still in hospital, bill paid by New England Home.

The Home folks think it might be better if Barbara removed herself from Pittsfieldand the immediate vicinity where George Vash is, but that would probably mean being a good way from Beverly and that would never do in Barbara's mind. I discussed this with them and said I would not urge it and did not think she would cooperate in any such plan, although I must say her reception of and by, Miss Williams is excellent.There seems to be perfect confidence byboth parties.

Visited Wed. 10/4/44

EMK

File / M.V.W. Barbara Brown.

Miss Barbara Brown 203 Caldwell Rd Pittsfield, Mass