(seq. 5)

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!