Miriam Van Waters Papers. Male Prisoner Correspondence, 1927-1971. Correspondence: M, 1931-1932. A-71, folder 610. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

7 Riedesel Ave., Cambridge, Mass. December 27th, 1931.

Dear Russel Mc Williams:

I was very glad to receive your letter of the 23rd, and to know that you were able to greet your parents for Christmas and have hope for the future. I am sure your friends and the wife of the minister and those who guard you were glad that the Governor granted our request. We, of course will continue to do everything within our powers, conscious that it is only God who accomplishes final results.

I imagine you have all you need to read. But if you should wish something else in the way of books,please let me know.

May the New Year bring you fresh hope and happiness.

Faithfully yours, __________ [Mariam Van Waters]

[top left] Board of Directors

Mrs. Joseph T. Bowen, Pres.

1430 Astor Street Mrs. George R. Dean, 1st Vice-Pres. Mrs. Harry Hart, 2nd Vice-Pres. Harrison A. Dobbs, 3rd Vice-Pres. Mrs. B.F. Langworthy, Secretary

816 South Halsted Street Charles Yeomans, Treasurer

816 South Halsted Street

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Miss Jane Addams Richard Bentley William McCormick Blair Andrew A. Bruce Ernest W. Burgess Rush C. Butler Kent S. Clow Mrs. R. T. Crane, Jr. Otto C. Doering S.J. Duncan-Clark Mrs. James Fentress Mrs. Charles Ford Joel D. Hunter Mrs. Bruce Johnstone Mrs. William E. Lewis Honorable Harry Olson Joseph T. Ryerson Miss Mary Rozet Smith Marshall Solberg Mrs. Harry S. Vaile

[top center] The Juvenile Protective Association of Chicago INCORPORATED MARCH 26, 1904

816 SOUTH HALSTED STREET Telephone Monroe 0135

December 31, 1931

[top right] MISS JESSIE F. BINFORD Executive Director

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HARRY E. SMOOT Attorney

[left] Dr. Miriam Van Waters Kendall House Harvard Law School Cambridge, Mass.

Dear Miriam:

This is just a brief not to return yourletter and the [?] which I have had copied because I am so very much interested in them. You know by this time, of course, that a writ of supersedeas has been granted and the appeal based on reversible errors will be heard before the Supreme Court. The court does not meet until February 2nd.

I am writing a letter to Mr. Darrow, a copy of which I enclose. If by any chance you know any one there who would be willing to contribute a little money toward the amount, we would feel it a great help. I leave this to you, knowing that you know I don't want to burden you with it.

Faithfully yours, Jessie F. Binford

JFB/RK

[botton center] Endorsed by Chicago Association of Commerce Subscriptions Investigating Committee Member of Chicago Council of Social Agencies.

[top center] Juvenile Protective Association 816 Halsted Street Chicago

December 31, 1931

[top right] [enclosure: 31 Dec. 1931]

Mc Williams [?] file

[left] Mr. Clarence Darrow 1537 East 60th Street Chicago, Illinois

[watermark: COPY]

My dear Mr. Darrow:

You will know, of course, by the time that you get this letter that a writ of supersedeas has been issued by the Supreme Court staying the execution of Russell McWilliams which was set for January 15th, as the Supreme Court does not go into session before February 2nd. This gives us quite a little time.

I take it that pending this hearing no appeals can be made either to the governer or to the Supreme Court, and that if the decision is not reversed there will be only one thing left to do, that is again to appeal to the governor for cummitation of sentence. I have to be in New York next week. The week following that I hope very much that we may all have a conference about the appeal, psychiatric examination, expenses in the case, and so forth.

When the governor refused to cummute Russell's sentence, I went to Rockford and Mr. Knight consented to make this appeal to the Supreme Court if someone would guaruntee the expenses ( not including his services ). Miss Lathrop and I pledged ourselves to the maximum amount of $500 to meet expenses. We both hoped that we would not have to contribute all of this ourselves. We are just beginning now to a appeal to some people who are interested to help us. It is a small amount really, and I think we should be able to get some of it.

I am writing to ask if you will not donate your services and your expenses not only because of this Illinois case but because of your position as president of the American League to Abolish Capital Punishment. Mr. Knight has already told Miss Lathrop that he was sending you $25.00 to cover your expenses which I suppose he means was for the trip to Springfield which you made when Miss Lathrop and I went down. If he has not already sent that, I hope that that too may be contributed on your part.

Thank you for all you have done and many good wishes for a happy new year.

Faithfully yours,

JFB/RK

[top right] [1931?]

[top center] Jessie F. Binford Hull House Chicago

[left] Dear. Mrs. Thompson:

It seems impossible that I have not answered your very welcome letter - or written as I intended - as soon as I reached home - even if I had not heard from you - I am glad you felt as you did - glad you saw me again - and perhaps it was partly at least - because I felt the same way - I had always remembered you - from the conference in Ohio- and wanted to see you again and know you better - and I wanted to - too - because you are a dear friend of Miram's. Someway the "errand" we were on seemed to draw us all together - and it was a trip and a day that I shall never forget. You were very good to make it all possible - but I know you were only glad to be able to do it.

I felt so much the strength and support of your good judgement - your clear thinking and your faith in the cause we were fighting and if I contributed anything that you think helped - even a little - it was because of you and the united strength I felt from the moment we all came together on the train.

I have no idea what the outcome will be - but - we are started on the way out - I am sure.

I had your second letter with the enclosures and am writing to Mrs. Sims. I will send you a copy of my letter - and dictate more in details everything that has happened since we left Springfield. If my letter to you is delayed a little you will know it is because I may go home - to Iowa - tomorrow - to stay a few days and look after some much neglected business. The days since I returned have been so very full - or you would have heard from me long before this.

It was lovely to see Miriam again and to work with her - for even a few hours. How do you think she really is, Mrs. Thompson? I had a feeling that she does not have much reserve strength

[top right] [1931?]

2)

and I hope she does not go beyond it - because of her spirit.

I went down to see Russell last Saturday - and found him very cheerful - he said - "there is one thing everyone can envy me - my friends".

I shall try to see him more often than I have the last year. The days are just not long enough - are they - for all one longs to do?

If you ever come this way - I hope you will let me see you.

Faithfully yours,

(signed) Jessie P. Binford

(Copy)