Miriam Van Waters Papers. Reformatory for Women at Framingham, 1876-1970. Subseries 3. Student correspondence, 1936-1971, n.d. Correspondence: D, 1942-1944. A-71, folder 293. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

Lucile R[?]

- File

1941 /

April 9, 1943

Miss Luville Devine, 193 Marion Street, Springfield, Mass.

Dear Lucille:

I have delayed answering your letter because we have bee very busy here, and overcrowded, too.

The one way you could here would be to fulfill the legal requir ments of the Drug Addict law, Section 68 Chapter 123. This requires the signature your attending physician and one other, a the approval of the court. Your doctor, course can take the paper to court witho your eppearing. Make sure you want to come and that you think it would be for your best welfare. As soon as you get w and strong I will put you on the farm to work. War needs have made our program in creasingly busy and serious. You know I share in this desire to sink all selfishn and weaknesses so that we may be fit to w the fight for freedom, the freedom which i the life-blood theme of Daniel Webster.

Good wishes,

Every sincerely your friend,

MWK/K

REFORMATORY FOR WOMEN APR 14 1943 FRAMINGHAM [stamp]

Lucile De[?] [per?] [files?]

Dear Dr. Van Waters,

Thank you for answering my letter. The information I passed on to Dr. Honey. He had arranged the commitment paper before - but he called me - this past week - speaking of a delay in the signiture of Dr. [Cragen?] who has been out of town and knows the situation. These overcrowded conditions do carry and added strain - under normal conditions you are not free from that. Carry on- tand takke it not too intensely - You are needed. your battlefield [? ?].

I want you to know : I do not want to enter their or any other similar instituions now or ever more. Remember in

Drug addiction ? users [?] are peoples - who deem it their honest duty to see that ? those[?] (as me) are placed beyond harm to self or society. I have no alternatives at present - . I am happy - I was allowed to state here - until I past the critical part of my illness. I agreed to leave - when my strength had improvid - no care required.

Spring is resting [?] round your [? ?] - have you visited the Rock and the [?] one might think the earth would quiver with sad fright this spring of 1943. Perhaps [frighten?] the exquisite - fragrant things. But it will not I know. Forgive me - I am bitter + crushed - I shall try to adjust myself - One enters many strange mansions for strength - [futile?] ? Who knows?

3-13-42 Always your Devoted Freind L

Nov. 3. 43.

Dear Dr. Van Waters -

If your Greenfield offer is still open - I have decided to accept it, and give it a trial. I shall do my best for you - and you need have not fear.

Whatever we decide - I wish very much to go this week. There are things I must attend to and need a week or more efore starting and duties. I shall go to my mother in Springfield.

Only one who has lost their way in life - can know the strange feeling - almost of panic that creeps over one - about to start again; As a wave - it comes and goes. YOu know Dr - I cannot fail this time - there have been too many before. the years go on and on and then - it is too late