Dear Mr. Smith,

I
wanted to write to you sooner and thank you for your kindness toward
both Walter and myself but I have been very busy so please excuse the
delay this time. I have not been very well lately, which I guess is
another excuse for not writing. I am in bed several days at a time due
to my wrecked nerves.

I wanted to see you when I visited the
prison recently but I realized you were very busy at the time so did
not want to disturb you. Beside, I was very tired and nervous from my
trip to San Quentin, where I interviewed that awful person who was
hanged while I was there.

The warden there was lovely to me
too and extended such wonderful hospitality while a guest at his home.
I have met two lovely wardens and was wondering if they all were as
kind.

I had occasion to be at the Knights of Pythias hall after
a lodge meeting one evening in regard to the members considering their
signatures to a parole for Walter. I was informed beforehand that I
probably would be asked to speak in his behalf [illegible] members of
the lodge but when I arrived it seemed all the knights were present.

I
asked the chancellor commander to speak for me which he very kindly
did. He stated that as an appeal from a daughter of a knight (now
deceased) I asked that they consider a parole for my husband so as he
(Mr. Collins) may support and take care of me. I just couldn’t talk, it
seems, before a large body of strange me; some were acquaintances.

As
I was leaving I turned around and said, "I want to thank you all for
your kind attention." They all applauded. I am still wondering if it
were for the "speech" I made or for the recovery of my tongue.

Mr. Borton
told me that you wrote him a very nice letter which he will present at
the next lodge meeting. I want to thank you for this and also for your
answer to the K.P. members’ letter which Walter said you answered.

I
have tried real hard to secure employment for Walter but due to the
distressed conditions of the employment situation it seems impossible.
I am worrying what to do next.

Mr. Smith, if possible, in the
event Walter is given a parole I wish this would not be made public as
I believe Walter would stand a better chance for a new start. As a
favor will you please have his parole kept from the press?

Thanking you for your consideration and time and kindness toward us, I remain,