Miriam Van Waters Papers. Reformatory for Women at Framingham, 1876-1970. Subseries 3. Student correspondence, 1936-1971, n.d. Correspondence: F, 1936-1966. A-71, folder 296. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

This is your King Lear "Court Jester" Talking.

I am now an old lady of 45 going on 18 46 - broken in heart and spirit. It would help me if you would please write a letter. Somehow I have struggled so hard and seem to get further and further away from what I had hoped for. I have now lost hope.

If you can somehow do this and say what you wish - convey to the young girls what you already know about me. I am approaching the 1/2 century mark and have nothing to show for it but sorrow, tears, and all that no one could desire. Maybe God will forgive mefor my heart and mis placed judgment [?] my hair. When you get this I may have taken my own life which I am struggling against. But too much suffering in every way - with adversity is too much to take.

Affectionately yours,

D.V.K.

[Fontaine?]

She is placed by classification today back in [Storeroom?] MVK

9-11-50

Dr. Van Waters:

Catherine Ford (one of the DD's recently transferred from Bridgewater) was in this afternoon, worried that she will be sent back to Bridgewater. She has been working for Mrs. Holbrook, and she said Mrs. H. has made it very unpleasant for her making sarcastic remarks about Bridgewater, so that she is upset to the point where she said she cannot go back to Women's Serving Room. She said Mrs. Holbrook has been very unfair to her, keeping her to do all the dishes, etc., while the other girls have a rest period. She said she has spoken to Mrs. McAllister, who has promised her she will take her out of WSR.

hmo

[?]

Miss OKeefe...Dec 30-50

Miss Mahoney

Phone at 6:00 P:M

Miss Waldren does not want Catherine Ford out in the barn she will not take any order from Miss Waldron

3:30 P:M

She went out this afternoon and started to go over to the barn. And Mrs Doran told me Catherine was going over to the barn and I told Mrs Doran she was not to go over to the barn alone, she came back to the front office.

She was insolent to me when I told her she could not go out to the barn alone - she told me she goes out for a walk alone every day. C. Tully.

[?]

[?]

I told the night officers Catherine Ford is not to go out Sunday Dec 31-50

at 4:00 A:M.

Catherine Ford was down in the barn before the other girls and Miss Waldron got down there

8 Marion St. Natick Mass. May 21 1952

Dr. Miriam Van Waters

Dear Dr.

When I talked to you before I left, you remember I asked to have permission to write to a few of the girls I became acquainted with, now I am more or less settled and can find the time I'm asking if I might write to Claris O Connell Dorothy Holmes and Margaret Murphy.

Claris & Margaret I worked in the shirt room with and Dorothy was in East Wing with

At top of letter in different handwriting:

5/26/52

Mrs. O Neil -- Please write an encouraging letter to Miriam (or [commonly?] permit) with Mr. Piazza's Walter in [iam?] --policeman in Natick. certainly she may write to student I'll sign/ MVW