ENPages That Mention Framingham, Mass.
Miriam Van Waters Papers. Reformatory for Women at Framingham, 1876-1970. Subseries 3. Student correspondence, 1936-1971, n.d. Correspondence: N, 1949. A-71, folder 327. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
(seq. 63)
C O P Y
Box 99 Framingham, Mass. Oct. 7th, 1949
Dear Mr. Cross
Just a little message to wish you well: From all the Students of the Women's Reformatory at Framingham We have been keeping close contact with both Radio and newspapers, and - feel that we all know as if you were one of our very own.
What you have done for Us here Sir: cannot and will not be forgotten until the end of time. Public Opinion may be for or against you. Yet who are they to Judge.
Mr. Cross All the Students of Framingham have great Faith and Trust in you and never for a moment forget that you are always in our humble prayers.
I am enclosing a medal - a small token for all you have done us.
Yet: the feeling behind it is very Sincere and there may be times during the Case that the Cross will be heavy to bear - Place this little medal in your pocket - at times touch it and know that though Confinde the Woman of Framingham are with you a hundred fold.
So in closein I would like to say - from all the Students to you Mr. Cross
God bless You and the Very Best of Luck.
May He Protect and Guid and Keep You Forevver Our Friend of Framingham
Sincerely
Margaret Newton student
Miriam Van Waters Papers. Male Prisoner Correspondence, 1927-1971. Correspondence: B, 1932-1933. A-71, folder 595. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
(seq. 12)
REFORMATORY FOR WOMEN Framingham, Mass.
February 9, 1933
Miriam Van Waters Superintendent
Mr. Jack Black 19 West 103rd St New York City, N.Y
Dear JackBlack
Your letter was greeted with joy. Last Saturday we had the Connicks out too, and Mr. Dennison and his son-in-law, Edmund Smith I let Mr. and Mrs. Connick see your letter, and it brought them a feeling of happiness. Young Mr. Smith says that the Boston Ad club wants you to talk here in Boston If this want is accompanied by money, I shall let you know at once.
I wish you could stay with us for a visit. You will try to do this, won't you? Bode and Sarah are counting on it.
Jack a lot of things have been happening to me. On December 6th I left for a two week vacation, and spell of writing and visiting prisons in Georgia and Florida I stayed on the plantation of Mrs. Lewis S. Thompson. I was a little out of my depth because Ex-Secretary of Her Haker was a guest at the same time. Also they played bridge. I learned what I could, and maybe it has helped me with my Civil Service problems here. Mrs. Thompson as I think you have heard me say before, is one of the world's wisest and most generous persons. I enjoyed my visit there more than I can tell you, and it really rested me. It knocked my preparations for Christmas off considerably. I am telling you this because it makes Sarah's gift to you more significent. During my absence she boarded in a fine country home, but she insisted on going to town to shop for you herself. She counts you as one of her heroes.
We had a really beautiful Christmas here with plays, good music and I think as happy a time as can be spent in prison. I have been doing a good deal with the leisure time activities of our group, and have now arranged for fairly prompt sales of the produce. Ultimately the women will get something substantial
Miriam Van Waters Papers. Male Prisoner Correspondence, 1927-1971. Correspondence: G-L, 1954-1967. A-71, folder 592. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
(seq. 6)
[Stamped]CENSORED SEP 2 1965 CORRESPONDENCE DEPT M. C. I WALPOLE[Stamped]
September 1, 1965 Box #100 S. Walpole, Mass.
Dr. Miriam Van Waters 14 Clark Road Framingham, Mass.
Dear Dr. Van Waters:
Life sometimes takes strange twists and it certainly has for me during the past year.
Two years ago, as a member of the Marlboro Junior Chamber of commerce, I promoted and chairmaned a fund raising drive in behalf of a very worthy cause - Muscular Dystrophy. At that time I had the pleasure of meeting and working with members of the Framingham Chapter MDAA including yourself. Perhaps you now still recall or remember me.
Today I am incarcerated at Walpole State Prison. I made a grave mistake, I was convicted for counterfeiting, and I'm currently serving a 4-7 year term.
Being an outstanding penologist for many years, you fully understand what prison life is like. As for myself, adjusting to the life of an "inmate" has not been easy, especially since this marks the first time that I have ever been in trouble. However, I cannot escape the fact that I'm here and I must make the best of it.
Meanwhile, my first concern is that of keeping my family together. As you probably know, the State operates three forestry camps where certain prisoners are assinged to serve out their time. These camps offer greater visitation privileges than Walpole. This is especially true where children are concerned.
I have three children and my wife is expecting another this month. I don't want to harm them or create any mental blocks by having them continue to visit me here at Walpole. The children are all quite young and I don't think seeing walls, guards, steel doors, etc., does them any good. Therefore, I am writing to you in hopes that you might help me in getting transferred to the forestry camp at Carver, Massachusetts, as soon as possible.
I want to thank you again for your kind attention to this letter, until I hear from you, I remain.
Sincerely yours
(seq. 44)
[Letterheaded paper]The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Massachusetts Defenders Committee 8 Beacon Street. Boston 02108
WILLIAM P HOMANS JR..CHAIRMAN WILLIAM C. FLANNAGAN, SECRETARY LARUE BROWN JOHN H. BURKE JR. EDWARD J. DUGGAN HERBERT B. EHRMANN RAYNOR M. GARDINER FRANK L. KOZOL LAURENCE H. LOUGEE MOST REV. ERIC F. MACKENZIE FREDERICK H. NORTON JR.
September 21, 1966
Dr. Miriam Van Waters 14 Clark Street Framingham, Mass.
Dear Dr. Van Waters:
I received your letter of September 14. Seldom does anyone express interest in the Defendants represented by this office.
I can assure you that I will do everything in my power to convince the judge that Mr. Hayes deserves another chance in society. At present, I do not have too much hope for Mr Hayes since this present trouble stems from an incident only a month after Mr. Hayes' release from an institution.
Thank you again for your courteous letter and your interest in this matter.
Very truly yours,
PVB: jmm
Miriam Van Waters Papers. Male Prisoner Correspondence, 1927-1971. Correspondence: K, 1950-1955. A-71, folder 599. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
(seq. 4)
Box 100 Charlestown, Mass. March 31, 1955
Dr. Miriam Van Waters Box 99 Framingham, Mass.
Dear Dr. Van Waters
It was my pleasure recently to have read "Prisoners Are People." Throughout the reading I thought of you, of course, because besides Mr. Scudder and yourself, the prison world is without giants, prophets, persons of courage and genius --and--yes--common sense! Tom Paine was right after all. Common sense is still the big thing -- as Miriam Van Waters and Kenyon Scrudder demonstrate so beautifully day by day.
You know, Dr. Van Waters I think your wonderful philosophy and thought and experience should be made public property --in book form. You have so much to say that is lovely and right --and that needs to be said. We mustnot let the monsters afflict us with sadism forever. Mr. Scudder has delivered a grand salvo against them. It is brave and fine. But I look for another salvo, a shot to be "heard round the world," from Framingham Dear lady, I promise you I will sell ten thousand copies of the book myself --to loyal Democrats and thinking persons in the Commonwealth, for I believe, like all the greats, you are more that a dedicated pioneer for kindness--you are a poet.
Good wishes and God's blessings, ever.
Respectfully yours,
[Stamped]CENSORED APR 1 1955 COREESPONDENCE DEPT M. S. P[Stamped]