Miriam Van Waters Papers. Male Prisoner Correspondence, 1927-1971. Correspondence: T, 1966-1971. A-71, folder 607. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

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I'll be happy when the Vietnam war is over so the people in the white house can take care of the problems in the united states like building some factories and creating new jobs so some of the poor people can work or something. now that the eighteen year olds will be able to vote maybe things will be a little different in some ways. Miriam. is your house keeper better this week! Ik now that the lost of her son is very hard for a mother to get over. so long for now. Miriam I enjoyed hearing from you. I hope that you and your nurse havve a very pleasant fourth of July. it will be over by the time you get this letter.

Sincerely, Charles E. Tracy

sunday July 12-1970

Dear Miriam I got your letter saturday and was vvery happy to hear from you. I hope you had a nice weekend. I did write to Mrs Willis last week or the week before. I don't think I mentioned it to you the last time I wrote to you I must have used up all the writing space. I did get a nice card from Mrs. Willis she said that she hurt her finger I hope that her finger is allright now. I imagine it is. it was wonderful of her to send a card. you must be very pleased to have a nice nurse. we could use a good nurse here. Miriam I really appreciate your concern. I got a christmas card from Mrs Sara Eherman. I usually send her a card every year also very nice person.

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I wish her a lot of luck as secretary of the Massachusetts abolishment movement and you also. I appreciate you writing to me on the 4th of July. we didn't have anything special to eat on the fourth. I forgot what it was but I think it was pork chops but they were very good for a change. you must've had a very intersting job as superintendent at Framingham reformatory for women. I enjoyed your book. the gypsy girl's family singing an dancing must've been great to watch. with colorful costumes. Miriam I don't know when I'm going down to the hospital to have my leg operated on but I hope it's soon. so far no work on concerning my leg. so long for now. Sincerely, Charles E. Tracy

July 23 - 1970

Dear Miriam I enjoyed hearing from you tuesday 21 sorry to hear that Mrs. Willis lost part of her index finger I didn't realize that it was infected that bad. she is a very nice person I told her in my letter that she could drop me a line anytime she felt like it. Miriam I really appreciate the money that you sent I will use it from some icecream and something to smoke and maybe some sodas from the canteen in the yard. I didn't know that Mrs Erhmans husband had passed away it must have been after christmas she is a wonderful woman I imagine Mr Erhman was just as nice. I saw their name in an old almanac that I found in the closet in Block nine a few years ago.

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one of the men in block nine had his sentence overturned by the federal court they said if he's not given a new trial within a certain time he is to be released according to the Herald Traveler. I wish him lots of luck. you probably read about it already anyway. senator Brooke came by about three months ago during inmates graduation night I think he was the speaker there he wrote an article in the traveler about his visit to nine to talk to some of the men, and left. Miriam I hope you're feeling well today. I imagine Mrs Willis's finger is all well by now. thanks for the money.

sincerely Charles E. Tracy