Schlesinger Library

young Dick has some fine Binoculars - you can take the compass, and I'll settle for the glasses! Both should be at H.T. I had many thrills as a boy with a powerful telescope - Mostly I watched birds on the roof of an old abandoned coal mine.

Barbara is a nice kid and welcome so long as my letters are not delayed and that goes for all the rest. The only one arround who can hold up the schedule is your mother and she and I are special friends which makes a difference!

I am very sorry to learn of the death of another of your people. I did not know her, but am saddened by the closeness of the accident. Better, happier days are coming!

The new atom bomb gives the world cause for thought The chances are more evil than good will come of it, or I don't know man!

I am glad that you enjoyed my last letter. I tried hard.

We may have need for Mrs. Thompson and Mr. H. Miss Rice is waiting to see if we hear from Mr. Blomberg. Only a few days more and we will find out a few things She is preparing the letter she will send Mr. T. in case we hear nothing this week - I suggested she start putting her thoughts on paper right away while waiting.

Tell dear Mrs. Thompson I think her plan is a honey if pressed firmly by everyone down the line - It would have to be a must on everyone's list of things to be done. L.R. wrote Mrs. T (among other things) that I am like a big bear. That is nonsense as I haven't so much hair!

Miss Rice was invited to a play by J. Binford and an old friend one Dorothy Hoffman. Apparently my name was not mentioned.

The war is over and I am wondering how it will effect our case. The war did not make it easier to get out of prison - not here.

Let's hope my next letter will bring you some good news of action. My best wishes are ever yours. Much love to you - yours, Russell McWilliams 5661-E

M. Lois Rice - 6027 Kenwood Avenue - Chicago 37 - Illinois

Monday, August 14th

Dear Doctor,

If this letter doesn't turn out to be a literary masterpiece attribute its weaknesses to the heat. The temperature has been well up in the 90's ever since I returned to Chicago, + I can hardly believe that a week ago tomorrow morning I was almost shivering. If you hadn't brought that warm water in the tea bottle, you could never have persuaded me to take a sponge bath, but I couldn't refuse with the hot water right on the scene - you probably

counted on that

The weather at Hill-Top was nothing to complain about. The rain Monday afternoon didn't amount to anything + Tuesday morning was peaceful. It is always a refreshing experience to spend a few hours there + I always enjoy every minute of it in spite of my mutterings about cold sponge baths. I gave Russell a mouth-watering description of the food you cooked, + he thinks it will do, provided you make about 4 times as much for him.

The [platean?] chain you gave me will remind me not only of Hill-Top but of many other things, too. It is

[14 August 1945] 2. M. Lois Rice - 6027 Kenwood Avenue - Chicago 37 - Illinois

lovely in itself, but it has a special beauty for me because of its meaning - I am not thinking of the little faces.

Russell looked thinner when I saw him Saturday, which isn't surprising since he's 10 pounds lighter than he was 2 months ago. He has probably written you of all the bad luck he's had in the past few weeks - the typhoid shot which made him quite sicks, a cold, a sprained ankle, and a rather bad bite from the dog I was telling you about. But those things are all in the past (although he'll have to be really careful not to be

Dr. Miriam Van Waters Box 99 Framingham, Mass.

Aug. 26, 1945

Dear Doctor: Your letter of aug. 12, was the longest one I have been fortunate to receive in a long time

You seem to have had quite a time visiting Cmap Devon. No one would ever believe you were Ralph's mother in the first place - You are much too young and spry.

I do remember long ago when Ralph was a carpenter and worked at Camp Devon. You understand hard work as you enjoy toiling with your hands whenever you have time I enjoy doing the things you mentioned. Possibly that is one reason for our good friendship - Liking the same things. How glad I would be to live my life in some quiet place where there is an abundance of good will and no rushing about. Too many people live all their lives in the big city and never learn how to live relax on to get any real satisfaction out of living.

Miss Rice sent $5 and D. B. Koffman sent a card for my birthday I sold a pint of blood for another $5 to M. Reese Hoop [?] so you see the treasury is in splendid condition.

I sent some pictures to Miss Rice of yours truly. She will send you one. You can judge my weight from what you see, then let me know whether 220 is just right! Warden Ragen gave me permission to send them out. There were threee one for you - one for her her and one in case it is needed by the people in Rockford to sort of celebrate my release.

Finally, J. Rice has promised to write to the head man in Rockford. She will write this week and then we will know in a short time just what if anything is being done.

She visited me yesterday Sat. 25th and we had a full coverage talk about all things connected with our lives. She left some mighty good ice cream and blackberry pie. We agreed that I must be gotten out of here without further delay.

Mrs. Thompson is due at Hill Top for a vacation. I hope you have a nice rest and a good time. Sure do wish I could be on hand to share it with you. I could supply wood for baking the best pies in the world, proviing I received an extra helping between meals!

The account you gave of your Negro parole board chairman was very interesting. He seems well qualified.

How is your dear mother these days? I'll bet she is getting better all the time. Please give her my love and good wishes.

You took care of my birthday very nicely. Perhaps it is strange but you represent the family atmosphere that I have always wanted. Can you understand what I mean?

I hope + pray your mother's condition will very soon permit you to pay me a visit. We need to talk bad and winter will soon be here shutting us off.

I have an idea relatives are taking your time, as this is Sunday PM and no letter from you. I look forward with great pleasure to receive your weekly letter and when it doesn't come (on very rare occasions) I feel sort of beat out.

Now it is Monday am. and I must get this off to you

I send my very best wishes to you and your other. Take good care of yourself. Yours ever-

Russell McWilliams 5661-E

Dr. Miriam Van Waters Box 99 Framingham, Mass. Sept. 9th, 1945

Dear Doctor: Your short vacation seems to have done you a lot of good judging from your last letter - It was extra good an meant a lot to me - I was getting a little anxious as you were late. However, I knew you were vacationing and did not worry too much.

The changes made by the wars and are not to be noticed in here - It seems like there never was a war. It never seemed like there was a war except in shortages.

I am very pleased that you and Mrs. Thompson have some plans in mind just in case we are let down by the people in Rockford. I shall be eager to hear the ideas you and she formed at Hill Top.

Very soon now we should have some news. The pardon board meets Oct 9th, for the last time this year. If promises are kept to get action this year, it much be then.

Miss Rice has written a fine letter to Rockford and we expect a prompt answer without nonsense. She read the high points of the letter to me and it couldn't have been better. She is having a copy photo of me made for you - So please keep your shirt on a while longer!

One good thing about your delayed letter is that you try so hard to make up for it in quality - and never fail.

Last evening we had in ice cream + apple pie donated

Dr. Miriam Van Waters Box 99 Framingham, Mass Nov. 7th, 1945

Dear Doctor: Thank you for your fine letter of Oct. 30. I hope Eleanor Roosevelt's visit at your place went smoothly She is fine liberal, good hearted woman who has done a great deal in setting an example for other people. She is just about your own type and you no doubt have many things in common.

You are always so terribly busy that I don't see how you manage to keep on top all the time.

I am sorry to hear that Mrs. Thompson was taken ill with the Flu while visiting with you at Hill Top. She should come more often. You are in dire need of somebody to look after things up there on the hill! I wish I would hurry up and move!

Miss Rice and I are always ready for the right kind of action - You know this is true. However, I hesitate to make a decision of such vital importance when I have no informaiton nor plan to go by.

The Rockford people are very slow and I get impatient with the delay. Yet, we can never win in my case if we are to fight the local people, along with everybody else.

We have to all get together. and I sincerely hope that by the time you visit me, you will be able to go on to Rockford and have a good

friendly talk with the people there. I have mentioned you in my letters to Mr. Blomberg and each time I write to him I write of my great friend the Doctor. By the time you visit me he will be glad to meet you. At least I am doing all I can to bring that about.

There is not much point in my trying to discover anything from so great a distance.

I hope your mother is well and in a happy frame of mind. Give her my best wishes.

You asked about my family - As far as I know they are well - My sister Mary took an exam to get a state beauty shop license - Don't know how she came out

I have begun my fifteenth year here and am hoping it will be the last, but wouldn't bet on it.

This is not a very good letter, Doctor. I hope you will excuse it on my promise to do a better job next time.

Every yours,

Russell McWilliams 5661-E

TO: NAME Dr. Miriam Van Waters STEET & NUMBER Box 99 CITY Framingham STATE Mass.

Oct. 7 1945

[symbols possible code?]

Dear Doctor:

You letter have arrived faithfully the past two-weeks. They have also been of high quality. The one of Sept 30, pleased me very much and derserveda very high mark.

There have been no developments in our case. I recently wrote to Mr. Blomberg and am waiting his answer. I wrote that he and I should have a good talk about the case as I thought he should know some of the information I have learned in the past four months.

I am glad you have a fine minister who can talk, and that you enjoy attending the service.

Mr. Butterworth is a fine friend. Some day I hope to have him for my friend too. However I have discovered that the magazine I want in the "Florists Exchange." It is published by A. T. De La Mare CO. Inc. 438 to 448 West 37th Street, New York, N. Y. Every Saturday at 2.50 per year. I copied all of this from a 1941 issue. It may cost a little more.

Anne Gladding was nice to send her love. From all I have heard annie is a very find girl and I am pleased that she took time to send me a personal message.

You must tell me about Anna Markey. I must read read up on King Lear to learn what you are doing.

Over here the Chrysamthemeums are starting to open. I have an idea that I could do as well with Chrysamthemeum carnations sweet peas and potted plants as does Mr. Butterworth with his orchids-and it is along these lines that I am thinking and preparing myself for the future. That is a