Miriam Van Waters Papers. Reformatory for Women at Framingham, 1876-1970. Subseries 3. Student correspondence, 1936-1971, n.d. Correspondence: M, 1945-1971. A-71, folder 323. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

Reformatory for Women Framingham, Mass:

Dear Mrs. Roosevelt:

As a student of this reformatory I wish to express to you my sympathy in the loss of your husband and our President. Magnificent tribute has been paid to him by those in every walk of life and little remains to be said that has not been said in his behalf.

I personally believe that he endeared himself in the hearts and minds of the common people by his simple obedience to the commandment "Thou shalt love thy neigbor as thy self"

We here in this institution have transgressed we [?] but have not entirely lost our respect for it and we mourn with heavy hearts the man whose sole endeavor in this world has been to give our country the kind of laws that would enable us to live in peace, security and happiness.

He has fought the good fight He has finished his course He has kept the faith Very truly Yours, Edna L Morse

April 17/45

To Mrs Roosevelt

REFORMATORY FOR WOMEN DEC 31 1945 FRAMINGHAM

12/28/45

Narragansett School L. Greenwich R.I

Dear Doctor:

As I told you it was wonderfull to hear your voice over the phone this morning and to think you would take time to call me. I havent asked Mrs. Wal pole whether she let you know that I was in trouble a few weeks ago again but I doubt if she did so I would like to tell you. Yes I had another spell as I will call it and landed in the state hospital at Howard as there is no hospital out side of pivate ones in Providence that take alcoholics. They kept me thee weeks and wanted me to go to work as an attend ant on the pay roll of course, but Mrs. Walpole was willing t have me retrun so I felt that I should so she came over for me, Jan 1. I will be out of debt to her financially and it will give another chance to see if I can't do something sensible with the money I earn. They were fine to me at the hospital and the assistant super intendant wanted me to have my teeth out and they would give me the fake sets free of charge because he said they wanted to show me that they appreciated my work on the wards while I was there.

2

I so often think of something Miss James said to me one time. I was telling her that I always had a good record in places I had been and she replied "Yes, you get along fine when ever you are locked up."

I get irritated many times here but the minute I meet Mrs. Walpole and see here smile, my troubles vanish She has the most [?] faculty of making a person happy by just smiling and saying a word or two. And she is not well at all. I [?] that she will break down sooner or later. You see she has arthitus. I am in hopes [?] [that?] I will be able to pay you a visit later on and actually give you reason to be pleased to see me, but I dont think I'll go alone any where for a while. I have lost all dependance on my self. However I am very thankfull that I still have kept your friendship and Mrs. Walpoles in spite of every thing Hoping to hear from you. Sincerely

Edna Moore

EMR

Write Edna Moore

Please

MVW

11/15/46