Schlesinger Library

Dear Mr Collins It is quite some time now since I have had the occasion to write you or phone you and as usual I have always benefitted by my talks with you.

John as I write this note to you I am at the Womens Reformatory at Framingham have been here for sixteen (16) months.

To some it may seem like a long time, to me it has helped me greatly not only to regain my health but also to realize the meaning of trust - truth and above all kindness & understanding of others less fortunate than myself.

[writing on right hand side]

I was over to your mothers with my husband a few months John before coming here and if you can remember back - I was really ill from the drink.

Priscilla made her communion at the Lady of Lourdes Church in Jamaica a few months ago - Cliffy comes to visit when able as at present he is not working.

The four youngsters are being cared for by the City and John, as you know they are being taken care of very well far better than conditions were at that time.

John you have always helped me in the past no matter what my request may be.

This is why I am writing you this letter.

Once a year ago John which you know the present day Com of Correction took away the priviledge of this Institution Dr Van Waters has been very

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3. kind to me and too every Woman here. she has shown me by her suffering a few months past what real sorrow and troubles really are.

I wish very sincerely that you and a few of the members of the House of Representatives would come out here & attend our assemblys & see for yourself just what I am trying to put on paper.

You have always found me to be truthful & sincere no matter what the subject may be - and I want to say Please John - I plead for this request will you do all in your power to help the Women of Framingham regain their privildedges taken away from us.

Day Work is so very badly needed for all the Women here. For some like myself are without folks or friends to turn to in their hrs of need.

Box 100 Charlestown, Mass June 10, 1955

Dr. Miriam Van Waters, Superintendent Womens Reformatory Box 99 Framingham, Massachusetts

Dear Doctor Van Waters

May I extend greetings and good morning to you in behalf of the men and for myself. We think of you often here -- and of course in consequence of recent developments, we hope for the best for you and the girls there. These are indeed heartening days.

Well, Dr. Van Waters, now to the point of this espistle. Please do note be alarmed, for the subject is money -- for our Chapel altar at the new prison. It is to be purchased by the men themselves. We thought, however, that a contribution from you in the amount of one dollar would enrich the significance and meaning and warmth and beauty of the altar for us. You are and have been so long our gracious friend. So we left the last dollar up to you -- we have the rest. If you wish to go along with the idea, kindly address your dollar (and it is the only solicited dollar, I assure you -- also the one we shall love best) to our great friend and counsellor, Chaplain Kellett. Thank you very, very much.

We certainly hope you will have a free morning to visit us at the new prison, as we expect to take up residence there this fall. It shall make us feel like country cousins in a sense, we prospective farmers and your charges with their cows and gardens. The milk is pretty good, I must say. If I could only manage somehow to drink half as much at home, I should be far, far better off. But it is difficult to resist other beverages in the summer, in the winter, and in between. Thirst can be an awful affliction.

With all good wishes, ever, I remain

Respectfully yours

Jim Kerrigan

James Kerrigan

P.S My brother John is in population here again, and told me to be sure and convey to you his best regards. Al Ferranti went home, June 6. Oh, yes--Jimmy Cook, Gene Budd, and a couple of hundred others will hang me if I forget to mention their regards to you.

[Written in pen] 22 months in solitary Returns Gods blessings!

[Stamped] CENSORED JUNE 25 1955 CORRESPONDENCE DEPT M. S. P.

Box 100 Charlestown, Mass June 24, 1955

Dr. Miriam Van Waters, Superintendent Box 99 Framingham, Massachusetts

Dear Doctor Van Waters:

Congratulations and bravo on your stout address on "Sounding Board," from the Cape, last evening. The men listened and loved it.

Now, of course, you are extremely kind and dear to have written such a lovely letter to me. I thank you. I cherish your lines. You made me very happy.

July, then! Wonderful as can be. Gene Budd, Cookie, and all of us shall be on hand. I passed along your regards to the men and they were delighted. It shall be good to see you again.

Thank you for your contribution to Reverend Kellett for our Altar. I liked that so much what you said about it being one of your "richest experiences." You know, Dr. Van Waters, I fear I am reformed, at long last--still, I cannot help wondering if I could plead amnesia, or something, if I should go up to Framingham and steal you, as I certainly should like to, sometime. Forgive me.

I appreciate your kind remarks with reference to my poor writing. Perhaps if I were a couple of shades less lazy, I might get out some of the lines that need to be gotten out. I expect to keep at it for the balance of the year, anyway.

John is so grateful for your good wishes and concern. Yes, he is on the right track and shall remain there. Things are looking up for the other lads, too, and of course that's gratifying and as it should be.

We were all lifted by Wilton Vaugh's fine column in the Boston Post recently, in which Mr. Vaugh gave expression to the opinion of many that you ought to be the Commissioner under the new concept. That is also as it should be, since the "new" concept has been your philosophy, and practice (within the limits set by lately discredited persons) for a long, long time. May God hasten the day when the Governor so commissions you, for the sake of the proposed program.

Best always to you and yours.

Most respectfully,

Jim Kerrigan

P.S. I enclose some recent thoughts. REgards from everybody here. Be seeing you next month.

[written in red pencil]Return

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Yes, "not wasting my waiting" is excellent. John would say that and live up to it - just as all of us try to do in SDD.

Our [office of? official?] affiliation with Commonwealth Service Corps is tops. One man was already released (job and home secured by CSC) and others are on their way. Corpsman Floyd Weinreb (a young professor of law at Harvard) works with us closely and beautifully. You will love this gentleman when you meet him.

Thank you for delivering my message to Helen Breger + reporting her's. She's a doll.

Prof. Fuchs is in Hawaii. He will be with us again

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all the way next year.

Oh, that was very nice of you and Cynthia Thomas visiting the Dearborns in Worcester. naturally, we hope the best for Howard and his family.

Ronald Addison goes home Saturday, August 21. He is going to work as a corpsman with Commonwealth Service Coprs - and we are all very proud of that. May it be but the beginning of SDD's contribution to the Corps!

Best regards to Mrs. Thomas and your wonderful Mrs. [Mancin?]

God bless you. Love, Jim Kerrigan