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.

I am sure that story writer is right. life is so short on earth dont you think? we can't live here always so I say, be sure of a place in heaven, one good thing salvation dosen't cost us any thing, Jesus payed the price for us.

Yes my parents like to see me cheerful and they usually do, you know I never could let them know how bad it hurts. But I feel very fine now days, and will continue so, I hope, for a long time. life means 20 years in this place 20 years more and I will be 37 years old, I am still in the same cell, as when you were here, what kind of a animal did you expect to find when you came in here? it has been very cold here lately, warming up some now, there is a wet snow comming down outside now.

Yes Im in the very best of health and my hands are soft like a little babys. I along with many auther people hope and pray that you are well also, and remain so, Well my Dear friend I must close now a friend in need, is a friend indeed.

[Bottom right] Ever and always yours

Russell

[Bottom left] 5661

Russell McWilliams

[top right] return soon.

[center] March 21, 1932

[c?] file

[left] Mr. Russell McWilliams State Penitentiary Joliet, Illinois

[watermark] COPY

Dear Russell:

We did not have time in Rockford to see your father and mother but Miss Julia Lathrop and Mr. Fay Lewis who are doing so much to help you plan to go to see your family today. We had a long talk with them and with Mr. Knight, your attorney, and I want to assure you that everything possible is being done. I am going to try to come down before long to see you again and then I will tell you what our plans are. Mr. Knight regrets that he cannot come to see you and write you often but he really has not the time this winter.

I am writing to Dr. Van Waters today so that she will know that I have seen you. I was very glad to have the visit with you and I only wish that I had come down before. With all the kindness of the prison officials to you which you told us about I am sure that the days must still seem very long and there is one suggestion I would like to make about something for you to do which might mean a great deal in the future. I feel sure that the authorities there would have no objection to this but perhaps you had better talk it over with Mr. Stubblefield.

I wish that you would start in at once and write a story of all your life as far as you can remeber, beginning back with the earliest thing that you remember and then continue in as great detail as you can telling of your family, where you lived, what you did, what you thought about, whether you wanted to go on to school, how you liked your work, what you did when you were not working, your companions and everything leading up to the time when you were sent down to the prison. Will you let me know whether you can do this and perhaps I can send you other suggestions that will help you?

I hope that Mr. Stubblefield can give you the radio which you so much want. The best thing in the world for you is to keep as busy as you can, and that is one reason why I thought you out to try to write this story of your life.

[center] Very sincerely your friend,

[left] JFB/MH

[center] Executive Director

[top left] REFORMATROY FOR WOMEN Dr. Miriam Van Waters, Supt.

[top right] Framingham, Mass. March 30, 1932

[left] Mr. Russell McWilliams, Box 1112, Joliet, Illinois.

My dear Russell:-

I was glad indeed to recieve your letter of March 18th I sent you only one book from the Harvard Co-operative Book Store, since they were out of the one which contains the best story of a dog I know of. Its title is "Bob, Son of Battle",- a story of a Scotch sheep dog. It seems the book is out of print, but I asked them to order it for me as soon as a secondhand copy can be located. I am writing to the publishers of "Youth in Conflict" to send you direct a copy of my book.

Both Miss Julia Lathrop and Miss Jessie Binford have written me of a plan they have in your behalf. Keep up your courage and we will all do the best we can for you.

[center] Ever faithfully yours,

Superintendent.

[left] No. 5661

[top left] REFORMATORY FOR WOMEN Dr. Miriam Van Waters, Supt.,

[top right] Framingham, Mass. March 30, 1932

[left] The New Republic Pub. Co., 421 West 21st St., New York, N. Y.

Dear Sirs:-

Will you send as soon as possible, one copy of "Youth in Conflict" to Mr. Russell McWilliams, No. 5661, Box 1112, Joliet, Illinois, and charge the same to my account.

[center] Very truly yours,

Superintendent.

[left] MVW:M

[top left] REFORMATORY FOR WOMEN Dr. Miriam Van Waters, Supt.

[top right] Framingham, Mass. March 30, 1932.

[left] Miss Julia Lapthrop, 1204 National Avenue, Rockford, Illinois.

My dear Miss Lathrop:-

I am sending you one of Russell's recent letters. You will see what a childish boy he is. In another letter, he seemed worried about the impression of rudeness he mght have left with me, because he failed to remove his cap when I entered his cell.

If we are to save this boy, in case the State Supreme Court affirms the sentence April 15th, I suppose our only recourse is a second appeal to Governor Emerson. The few members of the American League for the Abolition of Capital Punishment, with whom I have discussed the case, appear to think that the newspapers and political factors in the case, could save this boy if they became actively interested.

A great load rolls off my mind, as I read your letter and realize that you are in touch with the situation. While on the Bench in Los Angeles, I heard some ten homicide cases. With the exception of a nineyear old child who stabbed his stepmother with a pair of scissors (she dying in the hospital of an infection), I have never seen a more naive, immature child before the court, charged with a capital offence.

What you say about my undertaking at Framingham fills me with joy and courage.

Ever yours,

Superintendent.

[left] MVM:M