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.

ENR Keep in our files in our office over

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Correction

Reformatory for Women Framingham, Mass.

Miriam Van Waters Superintendent

REFORMATORY FOR WOMEN NOV 29 1948 FRAMINGHAM

Nov. 26, 1943

Dr. Miriam Van Waters, Superintendent Box 99 Framingham, Mass

Dear Dr. Van Waters:

Enclosed is a letter to Miss Devine which came today after she had gone from the boarding place she occupied.

Miss Devine's difficulties, as far as I know, began on Saturday, November 20th. That evening a telephone came here, and was answered by one of the men officers, from the police department asking if she was a member of the staff here. (This message was not told to me until after everything was over on Wednesday.) I found out today in talking with Mrs. Brownell, her landlady, that on Saturday evening she came in a little before eleven o'clock and appeared to have been drinking. Mrs. Brownell's daughter, who was home from college, said she smelled strongly of liquor of some kind. She went up-stairs and made a lot of noise, dropping things, etc., went to the bath room many times during the night and did not flush the toilet. Mrs. Brownell did not sleep at all and was very worried. But she did not call me about it, fearing to make trouble. Sunday morning she appeared better, but looked bad. She came to work at noon time, which was her scheduled time to appear. The afternoon went all right, and I was unaware that there had been anything wrong with her. Monday she came to work, and when I came back from doing errands in the morning, Miss Bigelow and Mrs. Lapseritis were troubled about her. She went into the Catholic service and the girls had to nudge her constantly to keep her awake. The priest noticed her condition. Later ion she becmme very exhilerated and started to climb up the poles in the kitchen, to laugh hilariously, to kiss the girls, and shouted that she was going to Boston. Miss Bigelow and Mrs. Lapseritis got her over to the staff side, and while I was down town getting the warrant for Bonnie Jaysen, etc., Miss Bigelow kept her busy in her room in order to keep her away from the girls. When I got back I told her I was going to Springfield and she could ride along with me and remain over the holiday. (She had previously asked if she might go and had asked me for money for the trip.) While going to Springfield I had to talk continuously to her in order to keep her awake.

c/o Mr. Edw. Bliss Stearns Sq. Hotel 241 Worthington St. Springfield Mass.

To Dr. Van Waters Nov. 26, 1943

I found out her mother's telephone number and the address, but she would not let me take her home. It was snowing and sleeting furiously, and very cold, so I told her that I would not think of dropping her off down town. She insisted that she wanted to do some errands, but as far as I knew she had no money, so I felt this just a pretex. Finally she said I should take her to an apartment her sister and a friend had. This was at 53 Saratoga St., a good-looking apartment house. I took her there and made sure that she went in and did not come out. I also gave her some change which she said she would use to go home in the morning by bus. She told me her mother was working and would not be home until nine o'clock. Therefore, when I got back to Greenfield about 8:30 in the evening, I telephoned to her mother and told her where I had left her. She said her daughter had no connection with that address. After calling you, I wrote the letter you suggested I write, telling her not to return here for work.

Tuesday night she came back to Greenfield to Mrs. Brownell's and telephoned to me. I told her I would come over in the morning to see her. As you know, I told her again that I could not have her back at the Institution, as she could not work under the circumstances. She was so insistent about it that I asked her to call you, for she appeared not to believe me that I had called you about things, and I suggested she go back home to Springfield, if she did not feel like going to Framingham right away. She insisted that she would not go to Springfield. I took her to the station, where I heard her inquire when the next Boston train left. She had a little over an hour to wait for it. I had to leave her, however, as I was needed at the institution. The girls were very much upset over the day's happenings, and both officers, Miss Bigelow and Mrs. Lapersitis, were nervous and worn out with it all. I hoped she would go to Springfield, but she was seen that evening in Greenfield by Mr. and Mrs. Turner. (Mr. Turner works here.)

The girls here at the staff house have since told me that she fell out of the chair at luncheon time on Sunday and they had to pick her up. They did not say a word about it until afterwards. All the girls felt sorry about her, for they liked her.

She paid her room rent for the entire time she was in Greenfield amounting to $8.00. She had left from salary check which came Wednesday, $13. and some cents. The check was for $18. and some cents. But she told me that she had more money than that, but I don't know where

3.

To Dr. Van Waters Nov. 26, 1943

she got it. She must have gotten it in Springfield.

I think I have told you everything I know about the case. I am terribly sorry it happened, for we all liked her and everyone, including the girls, was nice to her. She had a good, comfortable room, in a fine home recommended by Rev. and Mrs. Carter. Mrs. Brownell is very understanding. I saw her again this morning and told her about Miss Devine's connection with Framingham, which I had not told to anyone, not even Rev. and Mrs. Carter, before. Mrs. Brownell will not discuss it with anyone.

I was glad to hear from you today that she is in Springfield. I feared she might be picked up here by the police, which I think they refraied from doing Saturday night when they found she was employed here.

Sincerely yours,

[??] Chace

Dear Dr Van Waters -

I shall accept your kind invitation - it is just as I wished - to have the chance of seeing and talking with you. Arrive in Framingham on the 3.55 from Springrield - reaches F. at 5.24 P.M - tomorrow Dec 1. Peraps between us - we may arrange and play my future. You are a true friend.

Lucille

Nov. 30- 43

Lucile Devine (our file.)

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