Name/Title
AThank You Letter to the SocietyScope and Content
October 16, 1972
Dear Mr. Kirkpatrick,
It would appear it is my turn again to extend thanks to you for services rendered. I enjoyed the photos you sent very much, especially the snow scene one. I felt the snow actually accentuated the frustration, misery, and desperation already so prevalent in the statue. Most effective. Perhaps I should ask you what photography school you attended to have developed such a shrewd
eye for combining atmospheric conditions with your subject matter so adeptly. I had two semesters in the local college; however, I feel my poor instructor had very little raw material to work with in me.
I mentioned being the sponsor of the American Indian Culture Group at the prison in my last letter. This group publishes a little poop-sheet monthly, and since I have, become sponsor, they have voted to have me fill at least a page each edition. Since I am a person of very few words, I find this a formidable assignment; however, I plan to run a little story for a couple of issues of my search for the statue, of my eventual contact with you, and of finding the statue
at Visalia with your assistance. I have also had a picture reproduced suitable for publication in this paper. I'm anxious to see what feedback, if any, I get from the articles. As most of the subscribers are either of Native American origin or "sympathetic to their cause" (whatever that means), there should be some good comments. I have already heard rumbles that there are at least two more statues in California -one being hewn from a large redwood tree trunk, and the other located much closer to Richmond than the one at Visalia. I intend to persue these leads and ascertain their validity.
As to the prison where I am employed, it is called the California Medical Facility, located at Vacaville, California. It is comparatively new as prisons go, having been erected in 1955. It houses around 2,000 inmates, and its population reflects the sickest of the sick that have been committed to state prison in California. We have the young kids that took one too many trips on acid, the moronic ones that undertook to follow the example of such as Charlie Manson, a sizable number of Black Panthers, a sizable number of American Nazi Party, and are even currently accommodating Juan Corona between his appearances in Solano County Superior Court for trial in the deaths of the 25 transients. I wonder at times just how the hell I ever got involved in such a business. I suppose everyone in the correctional field throughout the country has asked themselves the same question from time to time, especially since the advent of the Warren Court.
Now I'm spouting personal philosophy, and that won't do either.
Again, thank you for the photos. I hope you were able to complete your gun safety story before deadline. ha
Your's Truly,Acquisition
Accession
2015.0500Source or Donor
Waupun Heritage MuseumAcquisition Method
Donation