Schlesinger Library

be patient and wait just a little longer. I just finished eating 1 get [?] ice cream and 1/4 pin [?] which was donated to the cause by Miss Rice.

More good news has come of the governor's latest act of mercy in this state.

Farm pond sounds good-but much too large for me alone so you go along of course!

We could throw a party for our family + friends and have a red squirrell pot roast supper.

It would be nice if I could get our soon while there is good money to be made. Not so much time would be required for me to get started.

You have been the finest friend anyone could ever have Doctor, and I am sure we will win out providing we all keep our health and courage.

My weight is up to 220. as you can easily see, it is I who will really carry the weight around there!-I don't look that hevay as I am tall. "of course I don't look very small"

Did you give my message to your mathes [?] on schedule?

It is now Sunday pm and it has been a pleasant day bought some ice cream with a bit of the ten you sent-Played hand ball and did alright. At Hill top we will make lots of ice cream and often!

I am in perfect health, lots of pep and full of hope. Miss Rice said you looked a little worn, but no wonder! At any rate it is high time I was taking over a part of your worries. and don't give me an argument about it.

How well does Mrs. Thompson really stand with Mr. H. in N.Y.-It sounds most interesting in case Mr.T. fails.

I send my love and constant good wishes.

Yours ever-- Russell McWilliams 5661-E

P.S. there are hot rumors of a new parole board in Telpoon [?]

Mrs. Lewis S. Thompson Brookdale Farm Red Bank, M.J. July 5, 1945

Dear Mrs. Thompson: You have come up with a new plan for possible action regarding our fight for my freeom. I want to give you my impression of your ideas.

Miss Rice came to see me last week and told me about the talk you and enjoyed at Doctor's Hill Top. One suggestion you made struck me as being the real thing: You mentioned a Mr. H in N.J. and having him take matters to a person in Chicago. If this was pressed with all-out vigor I would feel very confident of the outcome. However it would be of utmost importance that the vigor which you use on Mr. H. be carried on to the Chicago friend, so that he in turn will be impressed and really go after things determind to win. He certaintly could deliver.

I am impressed by this method very much: here's why: a man who has worked with me night in this greenhouse for the past twelve years won a commutation only last week from life to thirty years. He accomplished this by the same method you suggested-Only he used different people who aren't nearly as important or capable as those you have in mind. These friends must make up their minds not to take 'no' for an answer.

Some time ago-six months to be exact-

we were greatly impressed by the manner and talk of the gentleman in Rockford - I still think well of this plan and do not want to abandon it hastily.

However, in a few weeks Miss Rice will visit Rockford for a conference, if news doesn't come first.

In the meantime you could strengthen your position with Mr. H. if need be - Then if the local plans fail or fizzle out we'll start with the plan your have - With friends instead of hatchet men in Rockford. - Then they can sit and stew -

I was happy to have your letter of May 13 - You have a fine big home and a nice looking dog. I did appreciate the picture you sent - many thanks.

Doctor keeps me pretty well informed as to your thoughts and actions. It was good to keep the doors open just in case they are needed - I am very pleased and thankful that you have never given up the struggle nor lost faith - It has been very hard on all of us but knowing that you and Doctor are still in there fighting and always will until we have won has been a great source of comfort to me.

You will be promptly notified should anything happen over here

I don't think you should write to Rockford. Mr. H. + M. K if managed properly is the best I have heard yet - but in all fairness to the others, I think we should wait a little longer.

Very sincerely yours Russell McWilliams 5661-E

Dr. Miriam Van Waters Box 99 Framingham, Mass. July 15, 1945

Dear Doctor: Your letters have been good and almost on timeMy last two letters semm to have pleased you.

I am glad you and Mrs. Thompson have had a good vacation at Hill Top and are refreshed.

Last week I wrote to Mrs. Thompson about some possibilities she suggested to L. Rice- I was scolded for mentioning that subject by L. R. when she visited today - I feel justified in doing so as those things must be discussed and all doors well oiled - just in case

I am happy to learn from you that you are in excellent health. I do worry about you at times when you have a cough or "look tired." so don't do either.

Miss Rice looked nice today - We had a good talk about everything and if something is not heard by the time she next visits me we will form a pan of action for approaching the head man Mr. T himself. I wrote to Mr. Blomberg Friday 13th and he should answer that letter unless he is out of town, drunk, or dead! If he doesn't answer, I will drop a note or visit Mr. T.

They can do much for us Doctor if they really want to and for that reason I don't want to get rambunktous. He would never get any favorable action without this friendship. I realize more truly all the time that

Governor Green will do nothing if there is opposition Publicity is also very harmful - these are very true facts! I have notived in each of these cases, all as serious as mine. Nothing has been mentioned in the Rockford papers about me and this is a good indication that the matter is being managed properly.

The children seem to be having a field day at H.T. You will give me the 'nod' when I'm there and people aren't wanted. I'll frown and scowl so much they will dread the place!

How is Captain Van Waters doing? Has he any more authority over Bert now that he has silver bars? I doubt it very much!

I sincerely hope Col. McKervon can kelp you get a hotel in Boston for women who are in need. I doubt very much if Chicago cares what becomes of its women, I can see it's a fine idea and I wish you the best of good luck.

I am glad your mother has removed her brace. She surely is getting better and will be much more comfortable.

Over here the weather has been a comfortable mixture. The thousands of plants flowers are blooming like made - I wish you could see the place right now - It is second to none.

Now it is again Sunday evening and very quiet

It is about time you are getting my opinion of "Nation". It leans a direction I don't like - It favors lots of Gov, control, insurance, health, and share the wealth policies I don't like sharing anything with shiftless people.

Last night I ate lots of ice cream + cake - left by Miss Rice.

I hope I am out there while money is circulating, so I can get some things and get them paid for quickly I hope to hear from Rockford soon. Rest assured when I hear news you and Mrs. T. will be notified promptly.

Sending my love and best wishes to you.

Yours, Russell McWilliams 56661-E

Russell's file July

July 21, 1945

Dear Mrs. Thompson, Perhaps it's just as well that you don't remember wher Mr. H. is, since I'm not so sure that you wanted me to mention him to Russell! But I'll gamble on your forgiveness of my indiscretion, and will identify the mysterious characters, Mr. H + Mr. K. They are none other than our friends Mayors Hagul + Kelly

When I visited Russell after

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[21 July 1945]

will be successful, + therfore he is willing to wait a while longer. He wrote a letter to Mr. Blomber, the reporter, last week + if he doesn't received an answer soon, I'll do something to find out what is going on, if anything.

I was so happy to have supper with you + Doctor at Hill-Top, + to have a chance to talk with you. I can still see the two of you in your rain-coats going up the road ahead of me as I drove the car up the hill. What a

Please return

Dr. Miriam Van Waters Box 99 Framingham, Mass. July 29, 1945

Dear Doctor: I have received a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction from your recent letters. How you manage to do so well and be so prompt when you are so busy is a wonderful mystery

Many thanks for receiving my magazine subscriptions. Of them all, I enjoy Survey Graphic most. It seems that we may have opinions not exactly alike in regards to the "Nation." Well, I am willing to learn and advance with times - We need conversation on the subject more than anything else, to iron out the good and bad points so we can form a firm opinon.

I want to congratulate you on your success in getting the hotel built in Boston as soon as possible and receiving the rental of a big fine home for immediate use - I can see where it will be a blessing to thousands of women and girls. I hope that you can get everything so Greenfield can be closed too. I am always very much interested in anything that is important to you.

Our partnership is almost fourteen years old, and it has grown rich and more valuable with each passing year. I believe you have given more than you have received, but friendship will never die and I have time to catch up!

"A Practical Guide to Sucessful Farming" is a nice book. A friend here has a copy which I can and do use - so you need not send one at this particular time, but I appreciate your thinking of me in connection with it and I thank you.

your new pen writes beautifully - Ralph is a good brother! Miss Rice was here Sat. 28, for a very nice visit. She wants to write to Mr. Blomber once more and them if he wont answer within one week, she will make plans to see his loss and get news direct and put an immediate stop to this nonsense. If they are going to be offended, there's no time like the present! I told her about Carmen and she felt very sympathetic. I am glad all of you went to her funeral. It showed she had many friends. I showed L. R. some pictures that were recently taken of our grounds. I was in them in close up. She went wild about them + I think you would too.

I will find out about "Harmony News" and let you know in my next letter. I would like to have it again if possible.

No, I do not move about my work at a kind of institutional pace. How could I ever accomplish anything at that rate. Here you call that pace "the division stride" or slump. Usually a person falls into that if he is in a work division, and then when he is given a better job he isn't worth fine cents to anybody or himself.

Within an hour after Miss R. left we had what amounted to a cloud burst. Everything was under water - a few fish were even floated out of the pond - Howver there was no real damage.

Give my love to your mother. I hope she continues to improve in health. My prayers for her are very sincere and I hope they have helped a little. I expect her to get completely well soon.

I am suprised that the old Plymouth still runs. We will have to use it for camping trips when the urge strikes us.

The Blue room sounds restful and inviting. The changes are that I wouldn't sleep too well - too much excitement! One thing in its favor, there would be plenty of swell food close by.

Your young nieces sound very nice. I hope they enjoy their visit.

Very well, the occasion of Aug 16th will mean ice cream.

Only enough spaces to send you my love and best wishes. Take good care of yourself. Yours ever---- Russel McWilliams 5661-E

Dr. Miriam Van Waters Box 99 Framingham, Mass Aug. 12, 1945 Dear Doctor:

Your letters have arrived in fine condition. True, one was late, but we don't often have that experience. You do very well for one as rushed as you always are.

The birthday check was nice and fat! You must have forgotten about the encyclopedia and its great expense which was to be taken out of my allowance - I was not supposed to have any money until xmas, and only then if my conduct had been above question on all counts!

I am made happy though when you remember me with a gift, and I appreciate the deed as well as the fine thoughts of true friendship which promote the act. I will have a long job (tho a pleasant one) of making it up to you sometime.

Dr. Elizabeth Woods must be an important person to throw your writing schedule out of gear - I told Miss Rice about her and the slippers + she told me about your extra good letter.

We do need a long talk when your mother can safely be left for a few days. I hope and pray if will be very soon. W should have more frequent visits - I hope next year we can visit at Hill Top for years if we like.

I have found out about Harmony News and the answer is no. No prison publications are permitted.

Your new stationary is extra nice I think - a light buff color - best of all is the fine lines of your new pen.