(seq. 49)

Reformatory for Women
Bessie McIsaac.

June 1, 1932: (000) Interview with Subject in Punishment Corridor by A. A. Rissanen.

Be

Bessie McIsaac is 63 years old, of large build; shows her age; eyes cross at times,
but she haswears glasses on. She is quite a character in her dramatizations of life; shows
all the characteristics of a woman that has served a great many sentences,and
she is at the same time rather amusing in her anecdotes and remarks about politicians
of Massachusetts. Says: "You know, I was born in a political atmosphere of good
Irish people and I know the methods and ways in which politicians work." She
goes into detail about her life history; has an excellent memory for dates.
States she was first in R. W. in 1888, then again in 1903 and again in 1905, simply
for drunkenness. Then she was transferred to State Farm, where she has served
countless short sentences for drunkenness, as recent as 1932 in January.

Her first husband, Vieuge, deceased. Present husband she claims is tubercular,
living at 48 Howard St. Boston He will not go to a hospital. and She says they
have had many quarrels, the last time she ordered him out of the house, packed
his clothes, but now she does feel sorry for him. "This woman has a strong hatred
and is somewhat revengeful toward Mr. Brooks, Chairman of the Parole board; gives
her reasons that many years ago while she was behaving erratically and refused in
court to be sent to State Farm, she was placed in straight-jacket and handcuffed
and enroute to State Farm she ridiculed Mr. Brooks and this which was reported to him.
Then she had to serve her full time at State Farm without parole on four
occasions, which she thinks is Mr. Brooks' plan for her; that he did not want to
give her parole because of the former accusations she made as stated above.
In fact when talking about the Chairman of the Parole Board, she becomes so angry
that she shakes her fists, shuts her eyes and she says: "Oh, I just go crazy
when I think of it." While at State Farm she asked to be placed in a "cooler"
she became so angry over this whole matter. She says: "I get so crazy just to
escape from the place that they think I am crazy. I have been at Worcester, Boston
State, Psychopathic Hospital countless times. "I have also made four escapes,
have had seven fractures of the legs, but twice I made a complete get-away."
Her reaction is one of bravado, of character deterioration from alcoholism, possibly
a psychopathic person with a poor prognosis for a social adjustment.

Later: Seen by Dr. Winfred Overholser, State Alienist and the interview
was quite interesting. As she saw Dr. Overholser, without any introduction, she
recognized him"well", she said, "if this isn't Dr. Overholser, bless me!
I'm so gladto see you" and talked as though he was an old crony. Then she
proceeded to tell her whole life-story again. First Dr. Overholser stated she
was not psychopathic, but not psychotic, unless she may develops a psychosis later;
that she is an deteriorated alcoholic, but quite sane in this interview.
AAR-S.

7-9-32
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