Letters from Alcatraz

by Esslinger, Michael

  And I am,

  Yours very truly,

  Bernard P. Coy

  Only six months after composing this letter Coy was released from prison, but he was soon involved in more crimes, which eventually lead to his incarceration at Alcatraz.

  * * *

  Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.

  July 3, 1937

  Dear Sir –

  In reply to your questions, we were married April 3, 1923 at Milwaukee Wis. He was a painter & decorator and at that time – a very good worker. He was, at all times good to me – but he got involved with an Under Sheriff & 2 older men and that was his bad start. We were neither of us married before – and the past 5 years he has lived in & near Ky. I truthfully can say that if I had not of failed him when he needed me most – things might have been a lot different.

  I hope this answers all of the questions necessary.

  Mrs. Bernard Coy

  * * *

  U.S. PENITENTIARY

  ALCATRAZ ISLAND, CALIF.

  REC’D.

  OCT. 26 1938

  Hillsboro, Wis.

  Fri Eve – 8:45

  Dear Bernard:

  Spose you got my card from Rochester. Well they sent me home for three weeks to continue the treatment. I have to go to the hospital and have one of the nurses give it to me hypodermically. I can do it now as I’m pretty good with a hypo, but that is supposed to be in the hip and that’s hard for me. I take my own morphine, when I need it, and lots of times when I don’t. That is a habit that is easy to acquire and darn hard to quit.

  I can get all I want, as there are some real addicts in this town. I’m alone tonight, with Kakomo, Nan and Jerry went to the show and Henry is to the farm yet. Have a good program on. They just played SLEEPY TIME GAL sort of brings back memories and I hate to think. If things go O.K. I’m pretty liable to see you before too long, but can’t plan too much yet. The fellows I worked for at Cicero are planning on a shot at Las Vegas, Nevada and I can work there. A gambling house. Will see how my health holds out. It’s plain H to be sick all the time, but physically I’m better.

  Austin’s Dolly is sure growing and she’s the sweetest baby I’ve ever seen, and he is wild over her. I’m anxiously awaiting her snapshots. Hope they are good.

  Dolly is fine. She sure makes a good mother, but I hope they don’t go in for too big a family.

  Maxine just sent Nan her birthday present, a house coat and a hat. She (Max is fine – and Dot is OK. She is at Rose’s. Jerry is getting real big. He’s going to be a big man if he keeps on. About the picture, Bernard I have it framed and hanging in the dining room. I sort of hate to part with it. Just heard a report, the Forest Fires in Northern Minn. and Ontario are bad. The worst in years.

  Well Bernard, gotta go and get Nan and Jerry, so I’ll say good night and the best of everything to you.

  With love until later. How long will it be?

  Peggy Coy

  Hillsboro, Wis.

  (RECEIVED HERE AT ALCATRAZ Oct. 26, 1938)

  * * *

  Alcatraz, Calif. May 30, 1939

  To Mrs. Edward Long

  Louisville, Ky

  Dear Anna:-

  Although your letter has been here since last week, this is the first chance I’ve had to answer it. Thank you very much. And I am well and back to work now, as you must have imagined I would be.

  We have a fine show coming up tomorrow and I am anxious to see it ‘You Can’t Take It With You’ is the name of the show. And I might say, here that it has been a long, long time since I even imagined that you could—that is that you could take it with you. So many seem to think you may though. And if someone also seems a bit careless with life, it is never forgiven them. But what of it?

  Listen, Sis, I want you to forget about Aunt Maggie. Don’t ever as much mention my name in her presence again. I will like it better that way. But in the meantime you’d better have attorney Duffy go see Judge Mix about Dick’s liquor case. Dick needs all the help he can get now. And now is the time to help him. If help is postponed until he comes home, then it is too late. Don’t think that I am saying something just to be saying it. I know what I am talking about. In the first place Dick is not the guilty man in the Meyer case. The ones who robbed the Meyer whiskey store are Delbert Lee Stiles, Ernie Wymann and myself, Dick was not even in Louisville at the time. He was either in Detroit or Greenfield, one of the two places. I don’t just remember which one. Paulie Long doesn’t remember either and if he doesn’t no one does.

  To begin with, a man can’t remember things that don’t involve himself personally for so many years. And no one expects him too. Just have Duffy see Judge Mix and tell him who the guilty parties are. I have put all three of the names here in this letter for no other reason than to save someone who is not guilty of the crime. Certainly I should rather be hanged than to sit back and allow another man to be condemned for a crime which I committed. I want you to explain all this to Attorney Duffy, and if it stretches my neck, then there is some consolation in knowing that it is the right neck.

  And in the meantime, give my regards to the old friends. And remember ‘You can’t Take It with you’ I hope the show is as good as the title.

  Yours Always,

  Bernard Paul Coy 415

  Copy to

  Mr. A.E. Farland, F.B.I., San Francisco, Calif.

  * * *

  From Bernard Paul Coy Oct. 5, 1939

  To The Dentist

  Dear Sir:

  On the 6th of April you extracted the last tooth preparatory to making new plates for me. At that time you assured me that by July the 15th, I could expect the new plates. I haven’t heard from them yet. Roasting ear season is passed and the same rations of meat and other solids consumed by the then inmates, have done me no good to speak of. I can’t eat with the few teeth now remaining. I would appreciate it very much if you would either extract the few teeth I have left or fix me with the new ones.

  I sent you a request for interview two weeks ago. But I suppose it got misplaced.

  Yours Respectfully,

  Bernard Paul Coy 415

  * * *

  May 11, 1946

  Mr. James E. Fahey

  Kentucky Home Life Building

  Louisville, Kentucky

  Dear Mr. Fahey:

  Responsive to your communication of May 6, 1946, I give you the following:

  Bernard Paul Coy, who was inmate Reg. No. 415-AZ, was a ringleader of a group of prisoners in a daring and spectacular attempt to effect a mass or group escape. Coy succeeded in securing a officers uniform and firearms. He helped to arm other prisoners. He and other prisoners were responsible for the wounding and killing of officers. At about 9:45 A.M. the morning of Saturday, May 4, 1946, he was taken from a cellblock utility corridor and the officer’s rifle and some ammunition were alongside of him. The Chief Physician who examined the body believed that he had been dead several hours, but could not fix the exact moment of death.

  I believe the above information will be sufficient for you in your purpose to file the motion for certiorari.

  Sincerely, J.A. Johnston, Warden

  * * *

  May 16th 1946

  Mr. Johnston,

  Please send No. 415’s personal property if any to me. And tell me where he was buried. I have not been notified in any way except what I read in papers.

  It was impossible for me to claim [the] body. Any information about him would relieve me a lot. I was told by his attorney it was best not to have him brought back here.

  If he has anything at all, such as pictures, letters, paintings, please send them collect.

  Thanks,

  Mrs. Anna Long

  821 Racine

  Louisville, Ky

  P.S. I am his sister. Bernard P. Coy. 415-AZ

  * * *

  May 31, 1946

  Mrs. Anna Long

  821 Racine

  Louisville, Kentucky

  Dear Madam:

  In response to
your note of May 16, 1946, I give you the following:

  After the death of Bernard Paul Coy, who was Reg. No. 415-AZ, we checked the record and found that the nearest of kin to be notified in the case of death was that of his wife, Mrs. Peggy M. Coy of Hillsboro, Wisconsin. Accordingly we notified her and told her that if she claimed the body we would ship it for burial in accordance with her instructions. The telegram was undelivered and returned with the remark that Mrs. Coy is now known as Peggy Grant and could be located c/o Post Office, Markesan, Wisconsin. We immediately send a telegram to Peggy Grant at that address, but it was undelivered and returned to us.

  Immediately after death we turned the body over to the Coroner of San Francisco, who later released it to the Godeau Undertaking Parlors. Inasmuch as no one claimed the body, the Godeau Company buried it in San Francisco, California.

  So far as personal property is concerned, we have made a check and find the following:

  He had to his credit in the Prisoners Fund the sum of $6.16. He also had in his belongings a small cloth container containing a few photos which appear to be family pictures. In accordance with the required procedure the above listed personal property is to be turned over to his nearest of kin upon proper claim. Since your brother listed his wife, Mrs. Bernard P. Coy as his nearest of kin and the one to be notified, she should make the claim and if she does we will turn the above property over to her. If she does not desire to make claim and states that you are the next nearest of kin and wishes to turn the belongings over to you, we will then forward them on to you. The sun of $6.16 has already been sent to Mrs. Bernard P. Coy, c/o Henry Walker, Hillsboro, Wisconsin by our disbursing office.

  Sincerely,

  J.A. Johnston

  Warden

  * * *

  The corridor known as Seedy Street, located between C and D cellblocks.

  Marvin Hubbard, 645-AZ

  Marvin Hubbard in the 1930s while an inmate at Kilby Prison, Montgomery, Alabama.

  A letter written by Hubbard’s wife to the warden at USP Atlanta on October 17, 1942 provides unique insight into his personal history and upbringing. Herein are excerpts from her letter:

  Marvin Hubbard at Alcatraz in 1944.

  Dear Warden,

  In answer to your letter received this week, I hardly know where to begin, I did not know where my husband was at, at this present time until I received your letter, it came as a quite a surprise, or rather a shock, as we had not been corresponding lately, I’m afraid I don’t know very much of anything that would be of help to you, but will give you my best.

  We were married at my mother’s home in DeKalb County, on January 8, 1928. Neither of us were previously married, this being for the only marriage for either of us. We only have one child... My husband’s attitude towards me and the child, were very fine at times, he didn’t ever mistreat us in no-way except staying away from us for so much of his time, that he could have been with us, the harm he done was more of his own self than any-one else, only heartbreaks and sorrows, I had a fair share of that at an early age, my life has been filled with disappointments and heart aches. My husband has taken the responsibility of his family serious at times, and other times, he would leave us for a long time, as much as five or six months at a time, during this time he would never give us any support.

  He was born and raised in Alabama, in Boaz, Route #3, we have lived out there part of our time together as well as here in Georgia. As far as where we have lived for the past five years is rather hard to explain, he spent a large portion of it in Kilby Prison as you no doubt already know, and the other part just here and yonder. His occupation has mostly been a bricklayer since I have known him, he does beautiful brickwork. Although he had farmed some during times when that trade was dull. His greatest handicap during these years, have been having no education, he was raised by a dear old mother who was left a widow with five children to raise, she did the best she could but could not educate the children. My husband’s difficulties he has faced in recent years, I think depends on him getting started with the wrong kind of characters at a early age, which gives him the wrong opinion of life, before life was hardly started for him. Before he got started with the bad characters he was very kind and generous hearted, made good friends with all of whom he met, was well thought of in the community which he lived.

  I just wish to say here, that anything you can do for him to make his stay in your institution, profitable to him, and as comfortable as possible, will highly be appreciated by me, although we have been separated a large portion of our time, it didn’t take away the love and care I have for him. He was once good and kind and made home a place worth living for. I shall like very much to visit him as soon as possible, as I have not seen him since one year ago, last July 18th, 1941. Trusting this will be of some help to you in preparing my husband for his stay there.

  Yours Very Truly,

  Mrs. Lola Belle Hubbard

  * * *

  Ellenwood – Ga.

  Dec – 6 – 1944.

  Joseph W. Sanford, Warden

  United States Penitentiary

  Re: Hubbard, Marvin Franklin

  Reg. No. 62398-A.

  Dear Warden,

  I regret that my husband the above named, have forfeited his privileges, however I don’t feel that he really meant to do such but by some slip of thought are misunderstanding his why he did, for I know his visiting and writing privileges meant a lot to him as well as it did me. That was about all the bright spots in my life I had to look forward to was my visits to see him and letters from him, so if you will see that he has every chance to make up this, I feel that he will and I know it will be highly appreciated by me. I understand by his letter that he is no longer in the industries, so now he won’t be able to help me along. Will you please tell me why he was taken out? I need his help very much, even though I do work and make a little my-self. I don’t make much and in this day with living expenses up so much, I don’t see hardly how I can make out with what I have and live comfortable. Another thing my health isn’t so good, and I don’t expect to be able to work out very long. So if you will consider my welfare as much as my husband and put him back in the industries at an early date I will be grateful to you for that.

  Please let me see him at an early date as possible.

  Very Truly Yours, Mrs. Lola Belle Hubbard

  * * *

  /JAJ/

  Ellenwood, Ga.

  July – 17 – 1946.

  James A. Johnston, Warden.

  United States Penitentiary.

  Alcatraz, California.

  Dear Warden:

  Please let me thank you again for all you have sent me as my husband personal things. Also for all your kindness and words of sympathy which are needed so much in times like this.

  Remember me as a true hearted friend.

  Sincerely,

  Mrs. Lola B. Hubbard,

  Ellenwood, Ga.

  Route #, 1

  Joseph Paul Cretzer, 548-AZ

  June 4, 1940

  To: Edna Cretzer

  Berkeley, Calif.

  My darling wife:

  I was notified today that the Warden received a letter from you. He was kind enough in granting me the privilege in answering. I believe its best that you make no plans on coming here, because I’ll probably be unable to greet you.

  The charge is not serious and nothing to be become alarmed over. We are being treated exceptionally well and feeling in fine spirit. In a few months I’ll be permitted to write and explain everything. I do hope you didn’t become ill and upset over this trouble. I was certainly happy the night of the 27th when I knew you were home. It seems I continually keep you underweight by causing you so much worry. Perhaps after this affair is over you can regain your lost weight and health. Maybe someday I’ll wake up and realize the sorrow and grief I’ve caused the one I love so dearly. There’s one thing I’m certain of. My mind guides my body not my heart, I love you too much to cause you sorrow.r />
  I imagine the little man keeps you well occupied and leaves little time for thinking, is he still the man of household and can he still outrun sis? I’ll be very much relieved and settled after I receive a letter from you. It seems like years since I’ve received a letter. I would rather visit the dentist three times daily than miss your letters. The time will pass very quick and I’ll be writing regularly again. Tell all hello. I am certain everything here isn’t as serious as it appears. All my love for only you.

  Your Husband,

  J.P. Cretzer

  * * *

  Edna Mae Cretzer

  U.S. Penitentiary San Francisco

  Alcatraz Island, Calif. June 11, 1941

  REC’D

  JUN 12, 1941

  Warden Johnston

  Alcatraz Island

  Calif.

  Dear Sir:

  I am writing you to beg of your permission to write my husband Joseph Cretzer 543 Az. I realize of course that according to your rules he must be punished but it is so very difficult not to hear a word from him as to whether he is well or not. I do not of course fully understand the conditions over this, but surely the mental torture of being confined alone in solitary is very severe and in itself should be punishment enough. Do you not think you could please grant me the privilege of hearing from him once a week in allowing me to write him once in awhile? You do not realize the torture and punishment which of course, we the relatives of those we love, must undergo not even hearing one line. It is just as though they were buried alive. After all regardless of what he has done he is still a human being and I love him dearly. Couldn’t you please figure out some way that I could write and hear from him just once in awhile so that I could know that he is alright. I would deeply appreciate any thing that you could do.