Schlesinger Library

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Your brother-in-law must be an unusual person, wanting to go to war after being in the last one What was his position in the last war?

I do hope you get my last letter as there were one or two questions I wanted you to answer. Have you written to Miss Binford? As yet, she knows nothing of our plans. I have a feeling that I may be getting worked up for a big letdown.

Wish you could pay me a visit going and coming, but I don't want to be too piggish. Sometimes I wonder if perhaps our problem is not more than we can handle. On the other hand we know, if we stop for a minute and think that almost anything can be done if there is enough determination and straight thinking. I am satisfied that we will get what we want in time. There is only one favor I ask of God and if he refuses that; well, that is all he has that I want.

My father does not know what we are doing this month. I'll tell him when I write home two weeks from now. Our visit will be better than a lot of letters anyway. My letters are always written on the first and third Sundays of each month. You'll know when to look for them. Dad still wants to move away from it all, to Utah or Idaho I forget which. I would much rather "dig potatoes" on your farm for awhile. Anyway, an out of state Parade is a little easier to get in most cases. Have you a horse on the farm?

You certaintly did have a time getting Sarah off to school! I suppose girls are hard to figure out at times. My sister has a new boy friend "that sop" as she calls him. Any girl who accepts a favor, no matter how small, and then calls him a sop behind his back has no sense. I felt disappointed in her, but I suppose she will change for the better as she grows older. Does Sarah have any boy friends?

How is Miss Gloulding and her babies? She really has a job.

Yesterday I received a card from Miss Binford. She is vacationing in the West Colorado and having a wonderful time. Miss Helen Hazzard, her old friend who is superintendent of our women's reformatory of Dwight, is with her. Dorothy Hoffman, another friend of ours who happens to be a writer, wrote from Marshalltown, Iowa, that she is having a swell time on some big park which ours was part of Miss Binford's farm. Everyone is having a good time it would seem, and we will have ours in a few more days..

good thoughts and best wishes. Always yours, Russel McWilliams 5661-E

P. J. Fitzgibbon Supt. of Education

Joseph E. Ragen Warden

ILLINOIS STATE PENITENTIARY EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT JOLIET

REFORMATORY FOR WOMEN OCT 16 1939 Received too late to forward File

October 12, 1939

Miss Miriam VanWaters Superintendent Reformatory for Women Framingham, Mass.

Dear Miss VanWaters:

I shall be at Stateville all day on October 19, and from 1 to 4 P.M. on October 20th.

I shall be glad to see you in regard to Russell McWilliams. Either before or after your visit with him you can inquire for me at the information desk, and I shall be notified.

Very sincerely yours, Joseph E. Ragen Warden per: [signed] P. J. Fitzgibbon P. J. Fitzgibbon Supt. of Education

Dr. Miriam Van Waters Box 99 Framingham, Mass. November 5, 1939

Dear Doctor;

We had such a lovely visit Oct. 20th, that I have hardly thought of any thing else since. You looked very young and healthy. Surely this was the best visit we ever had, and while I was a little disappointed because Gov. Homes was unable to see you, I was pleased by other things - Your personal appearance for one thing. You certaintly looked nice. The color of your cheeks said, "splendid condition," You are actually growing younger, Doctor. All of this made me happy. The cakes, ice cream, and cigarettes reached my cell at 5:30 that evening. We went over big for one night.

I think we talked about everythiing and you explained "other things." I was tempted to run my fingers through your fur just to see if it felt as nice as it looked.

Your letter from Washington came before you did; my memory was at fault. I am sorry. I am always forgetting something. A few things I wanted to speak to you about I forgot completely and I feel like kicking myself every time I think about it.

Miss Rice came one week later and we had a nice visit. She is very nice. I think her parents must be wonderful people to have such a girl. Do you remember what I said about her eyes? Well that goes for all of her. She has some of the good qualities I like so much in you. In your last letter, Oct. 30, you said "We can always depend on Miss Rice." I think so too.

Two letters came from you since our visit. I appreciated you writing me soon after getting home. Your letters were very good, Doctor. I am glad you were not too greatly disappointed about your Springfield visit. As you say we must lay the foundation first. In your letter of Oct. 24, you suggested I let you do the worrying for awhile. That pleased me. Of course you must have many other things to worry you, and you are too small to add all of mine to your load. Suppose we sort of split it up then neither of us will carry too much?

Your beautiful Hill Top interests me more and more. Is it possible to send me a few snapshots? I like the place from just hearing you talk about it. Yes I must visit there someday, when the wheel of fortune rolls our way.

sure God has lots of things we want, only the first is the key that unlocks all the rest. All things are ours, Doctor, but we can't do a thing about it until we work out the problems.

The Friday following Miss Rice's visit my sister, Fay and Ralph her husband, were here. They told me a lot of things. You remember that friend of mine who had things in common with your ex cook? He went away and no one has ever heard a word from him.

They also said my father is once again in debt, deeply so. Some months ago he cashed my insurance policy for the purpose of paying all debts. I am sorry he is not capable of managing his own affairs. It is true that he doesn't make much money but no excuse for buying on credit anything people will sell. Perhaps his love for my young sister is the answer. Attorney B. J. Knight's stock sank a little lower at the same time. I would use too much space telling you all about him. Suppose you write him a nice letter when you have plenty of time. Ask for the briefs and other legal papers he may have on my case. We will need them. We don't want to offend him nor tell him to much about our plans. If he could have seen you when you were here, his pride certaintly would jump. I am sure you are too wise to discuss money with any lawyer, or anyone else. You get the lawyer when the time comes, and I'll get the money from Mike if he is still working; if not then I have another young friend who will be working and will lend a hand.

I am almost sure I have a new snapdragon and a beautiful flower it is. a sort of gray with red spots. I have never seen one anything like it before. Just now I am hoping for some seeds from it. Certaintly it is for you if it comes out alright.

The lily I have told you so much about is h. Speciosum Rubrum. If planted this month it should bloom around April. A long time but the returns are worthwhile.

Has Mr. Mandino any Calceolarias? They give us no end of trouble. He better worry about his children instead of the war. I haven't much interest in any part of Europe. Ours is the only country in the world worth fighting for, don't you agree with me? On Oct. 15th, I wrote home to Dad. I'll write to you again in two weeks.

What did Miss Binford say in her letter? I am puzzled at times and can't figure it out, but I think she is still a good friend. Anway we can't forget the friend she was.

Never saw a salamander, but they sound interesting. Keep that hat. I may want to borrow it when I visit Hill Top to go with my bow + arrow, green underwear, and pointed shoes. Lets hope you can have another "vacation" before too much time has passed. My regards to Miss Rice Always yours, Russell McWilliams 5661-E

Dear Doctor;

Thanks very much for your two good letters and your check. Your letters are getting better, and I had thought there was no room for improvement. I like your new pen, that is: I like the way it writes.

I am glad Mrs. Thompson visited you and saw your Hill Top. Yes she had been a good friend. How is her daughter, "Puss," getting along? I hope she is alright.

The progress issue of Harmony News arrived over a week ago. I though the editors did very well of you. I enjoy reading this magazine, and in it I found some good poetry. The first I have read in years. Naturally, I have only one slight complaint to make: The hospital was dicussed rather thoroughly; everyone recevied a good word almost, but not one word was said about our friend, Miss Glodding

you will be suprised, I hope, to know that instead of one new snapdragon were houe [?] four, all of which I have every reason to believe are new, and very pretty if I do say so myself. If our luck keeps on at this rate you may be rich and famous yet! I know you don't care very much about that end of it, Doctor. My pleasure and reward will be in contributing something to your happiness. Miss Rice will tell you about two of tem. She came Friday. we had a good visit.

Also on Friday, I received a very seasonal [?] type of letter from my young sister, I think she is beginning to have some ense. She started writing the letter October 19th.

I am glad to know you have a lawyer in mind. You know we musn't offend Mr. B. J. Knight because he may develop into a pretty impotant person one of these days.

As to helping plan a good crop, I probably wouldn't be of much assistance as for as a big farm in concort. I know very little about farming. My books are mostly on flowers + vegetables. Your Mr. M. could be made to see sense without half trying. Can't you see how easy it would be? I might be help in planning a greenhouse crop - if doing so would mean a trip to Hill Top.

The Rubrums will be alright if planted early in December. The flowers strands are about eight inches today. The plants will grow five or six feet high, and six bulbs will probably give your enough flowers. I think they bloom in May instead of April as I had previously said. Strange how a person forgets. You will find a picture of their lily opposite page 452 in your Norman Taylor Garden Dictionary.

Hav you a surplus cat around the house. one that you would give away? Probably a realtive of his Majesty James. a very distant relative would do. I don't want it for myself, I have an idea tho. the cat would have a very good home and be an honored member of the family. My sister is to be graduated next month and I was unable to give her a present. She told me all about it, the class ring, the cards to send to her "friends." I doubt she will get anything unless we do it. The idea is mine. the cat is yours. She would lvoe the cat and appreciate it more than anything else. If this is not too difficult the address is: 1744 Pershing Road. Rockford (Mary Bell) If you can't manage it, I will understand. It is just another idea of mine anyway.

This week I have asked a lot of you talking of things of little importance. The first Sunday of December I shall write again, when I will have something different to talk about. I would like to write about else something else, but you know how it is with me. I still think of our fine visit and go over it all again. Our visits, I think, are ever getting better than our letters. How is Miss Kelly? She hasn't much to say. I suppose the young deputy is as quiet as ever? I see where she is a good ball player. Of course the odds were against her but of most importance she is a good sport. Always yours Russell McWilliams 5661-E

Dr. Miriam Van Waters Box 99 Framingham Mass. December 3, 1939

Dear Doctor;

My last letter to you was shamefully delayed, and I was to blame. I addressed it to Framingham, Illinois, and it came back one week later, "no such post office." The letter wasn't very good anyway. My brain simply wouldn't work when I wanted it to.

Your check arrived at a good time as the treasury had 0ct left. I know you have many places for your money, Doctor, so I try to make it go as far as possible. There will be no need for your sending me more for Christmas, as the remainder of the check will more than take care of it.

Your old "Lady," the horse, will have to be pensioned out on Hill Top for the rest of her days. I think it's dangerous to ride if she strumbles. The young horse is dangerous for other reasons.

There is a lot of work to be done on Hill Top. The trees, shrubs, fruit, vegetables, not to mention tbe tiny greenhouse for starting plants in the spring and fresh flowers all winter. I have a very practicle idea for the house for the brook a small rustic dam which would provide a first rate swiming pool and add much to the beauty of the place. We would naturally talk it over first. I can visualize the entire thing without having seen it. We'll talk about everything on your next "vacation." It might not be a bad idea to build a house first though. I just remembered you wrote that your mother bought Hill Top. What does she think of our ideas? You never told me what she thinks about me.

The engineer may be a little late now and again, but the mail aways gets here. The cake tastes better if a person is hungry. Then, it is so easy to forgive this particular engineer anything.

This is Friday night as I will not get another letter from you this week I can afford to begin early. Perhaps Miss Binford will come tomorrow? I hope she gives you all the answers to your questions. I do wish she would pitch in and help us. Wouldn't be so hard for you.

I have had a very good letter from "Lois." She will come again one week from today. She is my regular visitor now and comes every three weeks. She has me in a hole, by that I mean she sent me your picutre from the Christian Science Monitor, requesting that I return it later. Well, I can't return the picture becuase of rules, and she values it very highly as it is the only one she has of your The question is what to do about it.

about a week or so ago I saw your name in the Chicago Tribune. You were spoke of as a member of the American Youth Commission. I think you are famous without the snapdragon.

My father wrote me a nice letter this week. His debts amount to only $56. which is not so very much. My sister, or rather Faye, caused me to think conditions were much worse. He said he would have many for me one year from now, but he may have no job then.

Mikes wife is none too well liked by my relatives. She wears the family pants so they say.

Mostly, you have heard about snapdragons from me maltely, so I am going to stop for awhile, but first I must give them one more fling. We have another new one which I call Orchid Yellow. The beauty of this amazing flower will almost take your breath away with its dazzling splendor. This is even better than those Miss Rice told you about and they are very beautiful. By the way, a patent costs approximately $130. The plant should first win high honors and attract wide attention at some big flower show; and only then does on determine if the flower is worth a patent. The bees cross pollinate the parents for us in the field. The new ones are from seed from last yea's plants.

This is Saturday 2:45 PM. Doesn't look like Miss Binford will come. It rained all night all all morning giving way to fine snow this afternoon. Perhaps that is her reason for not coming.

Patsy sends her love to Bulba and is pleased, now that he has a farm and is better able to support her and the families she is always finding. Well, Bulba can worry about that.

In regards to the cat I suggested you send to my sister: I thought it a good idea at the time, but since have realized how very busy you are; so if you don't get around to it, I want you to know it wil lbe alright and I wont really mind.

When Mrs. Thompson visited me she said some very nice things about you. One of which was: "If Dr. Van Wwaters had lived many years ago she would have been considered a saint by the people." I am not sure I should tell you this, but I never heard of a person spoken of so highly before by anyone and thought you might like to know.

I think of you many times each day, Doctor. Before falling asleep at night you are often a part of my thoughts. Some of my ideas I know you would like.

We need all the good friends we can get. If Miss Binford doesn't cme next week, I shall write her a special letter to see if I can't help things along somewhat.

Play Boy, Dewey hasn't a chance of being our next Presdient. More likely Vanderenberg + Russia needs a very thorough trouncing. We will understand it all sometimes. How is my ex cook getting along, alright? Love + best wishes to you. Russell McWilliams 5661-E

P.S. - a mistake has somehow been made. My sister does not graduate from school until June. I don't know just who is responsible for this.

CENSORED 3

To: Name Dr. Miriam Van Waters Street & Number Box 99 City Framingham, State Mass.

BOX 1112 Joliet, Illinois December 14, 1939

Christmas Greetings and Best Wishes for A Happy New Year

Dear Doctor;

All day long I had hoped your letter would come tonight and sure enough it did. Our writing day has been moved ahead because of the usual Christmas rush. I hope I can do a good job writing this letter as it must serve as your Christmas present.

Your letters have been very good and of a very pleasing quality. I love to get letters from you.

My sister had her wits about her, I notice; and gave you a prompt answer. Don't you go to too much trouble over the cat. After I had first spoken of the cat, I regretted asking for it. I though you might not like the idea. However, everything came out just fine.

Yes, I had a good visit with Miss Rice last Wednesday. She is going home next week. You must show her Hill Top, then she wil ltell me all about it when she comes back to Chicago. If things plan out as expected, she will visit me again before leaving - a sort of Christmas present!

You were very kind and considerate when you had the deed made our in you rmother's name. I think it was a splendid thing for you to do. I read the boook "Years are so long." An old couple with no means of supporting themselves. And their grown chidlren shamefully abused and mistreated them, and at every opportunity made them feel unwanted.

Do not mail currency-Money Orders and Checks accepted. Foodstuffs and Packages are not accepted at any time.

Visits every two weeks by relatives only.