I have been looking through the mass of papers I got from my uncle’s estate this afternoon, and came across again the letter that my great-uncle Hervey W. Child wrote to his parents from prison. I thought I’d transcribe it for posterity.
It is headed “Passed J. O’G.”
Date: February 16, 1930
From: Hervey W. Child
Box 00, Number 25406, West Concord, Mass
To. Mrs. Robert A. Child
Number 758 Allen St.
Springfield, Mass.
Dear Mother and Dad:
Well another week has gone and I hope finds us very near the end, feeling fine and everything all right.
I received all your letters last week and was glad to hear that the agent called on you and I hope everything is all right and my release comes up to morrow and I shall see you Tuesday. I am anxiously awaiting the letter I get to morrow, letting me know if you will be down after me.
It snowed a little last night and is blowing to day, but I hope you can make it all right.
Well, the year is almost done and to look back over it, it seems so short. The longest time has been this last week, but it will soon be over, I shall be home.
Home, that word, means to me a lot more than ever before, and I can hardly wait until I am there and I know that we all shall be happy.
I feel that I shall be ever indebted to you Dad and to Mr. Wilbur for getting me a job and I know, whatever comes up I shall make good.
I surely hope that Harold (Note: Harold was my grandfather and Hervey’s brother.) can get up over the holiday and we here will have a good time, am wondering if Hayden (Note: Harold and Hervey’s brother, my great uncle) is to be there to (sic).
Well I cannot think of anything more to write so will close for this time and I real (sic–probably “really”) hope I shall see you bright and early Tuesday morning. We will sure have a good ride home, and I hope it is a nice warm day.
Lots of love to you both,
Hervey W. Child, Box 0025406, West Concord, Mass.
The back has a printed notice:
During their first four months in the reformatory, prisoners may receive visits once in two months. After four months, providing they are promoted to the First Grade, they may receive visits once a month. Visits are allowed from immediate relations only, except that friends, not exceeding two in number may come with members of the family on any regular visiting day except Saturday. Prisoners will be allowed to write twice a month while in the second grade and each week after reaching the first. Correspondence will be restricted to immediate relatives and to business and family affairs; except that, once each month a letter may be written to a friend. No visitors admitted on Sundays or holidays. Visitors are not allowed to give to or to receive from any risoner any article or thing. A violation of this rule will cause the prisoner to forfeit the privilege of receiving visits. No confectionery, fruit or other articles from friends of prisoners will be admitted into the reformatory. Visiting hours one to four P.M. Visits limited to one hour. Persons coming from Boston should take a train from the North Station for West Concord. (198 11-1-’29 5M)
It’s touching letter. I was told by my mother that Hervey was convicted of stealing money from a church poor box. Apparently he got a year for it. He was nearly 31 at the time of his conviction (from his dates of birth) so it seems he was kind of a wastrel. His handwriting is a bit childish and not the copperplate handwriting we have been led to expect from people born in the 19th Century.
I am now wondering if I can get access to the records of his trial and conviction. I am presuming so, but don’t have any notion of how except by writing to the courts in Massachusetts. I will think about this.
