Voices -- Christine Collins, November 1, 1930

Los Angeles, Calif. November 1, 1930 Dear Mr. Neumiller I am taking the liberty of writing you a personal letter which I sincerely hope you will give consideration. I am again pleading for a parole for my husband, Walter J. Collins, imprisoned at Reprisa, Calif. I understand that he is eligible for parole very soon and I hope you and the other members of the prison board will grant him a release. Mr. Collins is a good man as you know by his good record and behavior while imprisoned. I am not at all well and as yet not able to take a position. If Mr. Collins were paroled he would certainly take care of me. We are trying to get a position for him so as he may have employment in the event you see fit to grant him a parole. I wanted to see you personally while staying in San Francisco after my visit to San Quentin where I went to question Gordon Northcott regarding my little son. I was a guest at Warden Holohan's home for three days. He is a lovely man and both he and his lovely daughter, Josephine, treated me wonderfully. I never shall forget their hospitality. While there, the warden informed me that you were ill with a heavy cold and I was very sorry to hear it. I felt that I didn't want to intrude at this time so consequently returned to Los Angeles without seeing you. I trust that you're over that cold and well on the road to recovery. I attended an entertainment given by the Knights of Pythias last Wednesday evening in honor of their annual role call. I met some very nice people, who, of course, were brother knights and when I informed them that my father had been a K.P. for 35 years they became interested. I learned thru the committee chairman that Warden Holohan also was a member of the Knights of Pythias. My father went thru every branch of his (my father) lodge and was a grand chancellor in his last days. If Mr. Collins is permitted I want him to join that order and make something out of himself. I felt that I wanted to write to you Mr. Neumiller so please do not regard this an imposition. Hoping this finds you well and in the best of health, I am, Very sincerely, Mrs. Walter J. Collins 2614 N. Griffin Ave., Los Angeles, Calif.

Voices -- Christine Collins, November 24, 1930

Los Angeles, Calif. Nov. 24th, 1930 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, Sincerely your friend, Mrs. Walter J. Collins 2416 N. Griffin Ave.

Voices -- Christine Collins, November 22, 1930

The Rev. R.P. "Fighting Bob" Shuler urges the parole of Walter J. Collins.

Voices -- Christine Collins, November 14, 1930

Voices -- Christine Collins, November 12, 1930

From the California State Archives

The Christine Collins letters The woman whose tragedy inspired the Clint Eastwood movie "Changeling" tells her story in her own words. Los Angeles, Cal. November 12, 1930 Mr. Chas. L. Neumiller President Board of Prison Directors Reprisa, California Dear Sir: In regard to the case of Walter J. Collins now before you for parole may I be permitted a few words? I have never known Mr. Collins personally and his prison record must speak for him, but I have been daily in personal contact with his wife, Christine Collins, for about a year and a half. She has lived in my home during that time. It is for her sake I am asking your leniency for Mr. Collins. You have undoubtedly heard of the terrible strain she has been under during the past two years and over and I want to testify as to her condition physically, mentally and financially. The mental strain she has been under has been greater than the ordinary woman could bear without breaking mentally, yet she has borne up, even triumphed over it all. Physically, she is a nervous wreck. Unable to hold any position no matter how capable she might be mentally to hold it. Often unable to leave her bed for two or three days at a time on account of acute nervous headaches. Her only means of support has been cut off too. A sister who has been contributing to her support is now unable to carry on due to her own ill health. Without her husband the future looks very dark to Mrs. Collins. So, can you not find it in your heart to grant to this man a chance to make good to this little woman who has stood so loyally by her husband through his trouble and also undergone the loss of their only child under such tragic circumstances? If he had been convicted of manslaughter he would now have paid his debt to society. Surely he has more than paid for the thing for which he was convicted. Will you not remember the words of our Master, who said: "As ye would that men should do unto you, do you even so to them." Yours very respectfully, Mrs. James C. Borton 2614 N. Griffin Ave. Los Angeles, Cal.

Voices -- Christine Collins, November 10, 1930

From the California State Archives

The Christine Collins letters The woman whose tragedy inspired the Clint Eastwood movie "Changeling" tells her story in her own words. 2614 N. Griffin Ave. Los Angeles, Cal. Nov. 10, 1930 Mr. Charles L. Neumiller Pres. State Prison Board % Mr. Myron Clark, State Clerk Reprisa, Cal. Dear Mr. Neumiller, I have been informed that the case of Walter J. Collins, who is at Reprisa, comes up before the Prison Board next month and as a sister of Mrs. Collins will you permit me to present my personal knowledge of the circumstances upon which the application for parole is based, which I sincerely request and hope will be brought to the attention of the board for consideration. It is not necessary to go into detail about the hardships inflicted upon Mrs. Collins since the disappearance of the child of Mr. and Mrs. Collins, as the case has been given wide publicity, but the mental anguish and consequent loss of health has rendered Mrs. Collins absolutely unable to seek employment and the support of her husband is urgently needed. I assisted her financially for a period but was forced to resign from my position, my only source of income, on account of my own ill health and for the past nine months have been unable to render any further assistance in this direction. This appeal as presented is not intended, and I trust will not be construed, to be upon the personal sympathies of those empowered to adjudge but as a statement of fact as it is felt that the granting of a parole to Mr. Collins is warranted and justified under these special circumstances. Whatever can be done for Mr. Collins in this regard will be gratefully appreciated. Yours very truly, Aimee G. Dunne

Voices -- Christine Collins, November 10, 1930

 

The Christine Collins letters The woman whose tragedy inspired the Clint Eastwood movie "Changeling" tells her story in her own words.

Voices -- Christine Collins, November 9, 1930

From the California State Archives

The Christine Collins letters The woman whose tragedy inspired the Clint Eastwood movie "Changeling" tells her story in her own words.   Los Angeles Calif.   Nov. 9, 1930         Dear Mr. Clark,     I was very happy to received your very encouraging letter of Nov. 3rd. I want to apologize for not answering sooner and thanking you for your kindness also in sending me the blank forms in case that I am successful in obtaining employment for Walter. You are so lovely toward both of us and your kindness is greatly appreciated.         It means a great deal when folks like you show such consideration and we feel now that there is a brighter future.         I have taken up the subject of parole for Walter with several prominent businessmen and feel that they are interested.     I had occasion to visit the lodge hall of the Knights of Pythias last Wednesday evening to appeal for signatures of the brother knights on a letter from them to the directors of the prison board. I was informed beforehand that I probably would be called upon to speak before a small group of committee men. Imagine my surprise when I was introduced and then escorted to a chair next to the chancellor commander.     I was then asked to "make a speech" that is talk in behalf of Walter regarding a parole. It was so unexpected and surprised me so that I thot I was petrified. I asked the chancellor to speak for me, which he did and I believe his appeal was effective. He said, "as a daughter of a past chancellor commander and a brother knight, now deceased, Mrs. Collins is asking your aid in trying to obtain a parole for her husband, whom we all think has suffered enough," etc. I was then escorted back across the large hall and as I was leaving I turned around and said, "I want to thank you all for your kind attention!" to which they all applauded. I do not know whether it was the "speech" I made or the recovery of my tongue. My father had been a member of the K.Ps for 35 years. He always said that that lodge always assisted the families of brother knights in distress. Anyway I sent out my S.O.S. We want to visit as often just as soon as we are settled. The invitation is standing. Thanking you again for your encouraging letter. I wish to remain Sincerely your friend, Mrs. Walter J. Collins Tel # Capitol 3996

Voices -- Christine Collins, November 6, 1930

The Christine Collins letters The woman whose tragedy inspired the Clint Eastwood movie "Changeling" tells her story in her own words. Many people wonder if the religious leaders in "Changeling" are actual people. Here's evidence that the Rev. Gustav A. Briegleb helped Christine Collins. A similar letter in Walter Collins' file is from the Rev. R.P. "Fighting Bob" Shuler.

Voices -- Christine Collins, November 1, 1930

The Christine Collins letters The woman whose tragedy inspired the Clint Eastwood movie "Changeling" tells her story in her own words. Los Angeles, Calif. Nov. 1, 1930 Dear Mr. Clark I am writing you a few lines to let you know that I appreciate your kindness toward my husband, Walter J. Collins. In his letter, he tells me how lovely you are to him and I want to thank you for this consideration. I understand that Walter is eligible for parole very soon and I sincerely do hope he will be given his freedom this time. That poor soul has suffered about as much as I have in the last few years. I am doing all I can to help him. He always was a good man as his behavior at the prison proves. I have been trying to secure a position for him in the event the members of the prison board see fit to grant Walter a parole, so as he may have employment upon his release. I have been doing my utmost to help poor Walter and I hope my efforts will not be in vain. I attended an entertainment last Wednesday evening given by the Knights of Pythias in honor of their annual roll call. I met several people knights of course and when I informed them that my father had been a brother knight for 35 years they became very much interested. You know it is their duty to help one another and the families of brother members, even the deceased. The committee chairman said he would do what he could to help me so I have to appear before their members at their next meeting. If Walter is permitted to that order I want him to join and be someone. Everyone things it so strange that I remain so loyal to him after all these years. It will have been seven years since Walter was taken away on the 16th of this month. I believe in constancy, especially where there is doubt as to guilt. I always did believe Walter were a victim of circumstance and "framed" upon. I hope I may have Walter home by Xmas. I have seen so many sad holidays that my joy would know no bounds if he were home by then. I hope this finds you well, Mr. Clark, and again thanking you for your kindness toward Walter, I remain Your sincere friend, Mrs. Walter J. Collins 2614 N. Griffin Ave. Los Angeles, Calif.

Voices -- Christine Collins, May 16, 1929

The Christine Collins letters The woman whose tragedy inspired the Clint Eastwood movie "Changeling" tells her story in her own words.

Voices -- Christine Collins, May 3, 1929

From the California State Archives

The Christine Collins letters The woman whose tragedy inspired the Clint Eastwood movie "Changeling" tells her story in her own words. San Gabriel, Calif. May 3, 1929 Mr. A Eichoff San Francisco, Calif. Dear Sir: I am writing to you in regard to my husband, Walter J. Collins # 12824 imprisoned at Reprisa, Calif. I would like to make you a personal call and explain matters definitely but I am unable to on account of financial circumstances as well as ill health. Mr. Collins was convicted of robbery on circumstantial evidence in 1923. I was forced to work to support our boy and myself in spite of my very nervous condition. On March 10, 1928, our poor boy disappeared and has not [illegible] Stewart Northcott on his Wineville ranch. I am sick and grief-stricken over our son's disappearance. In August 1928 a boy was found in the east who posed as our boy and because I would not accept him as our son I was treated most inhumanly, called a lair, damn fool, crook and almost everything by the police here and finally throw into the psychopathic ward of the General Hospital among the maniacs for five days and nights. The stigma of being in the insane ward caused me to lose my position that I had held for over five years, consequently I am without means of support. Mr. Collins (#12824) is to appear for hearing before the board of directors soon and I wish Mr. Eichoff that you will give this your kind consideration. The poor man is not deserving of the terrible sentence meted out to him when he was sentenced. The judge was told to give Mr. Collins the limit because he would not plead guilty to one count of robbery and so Mr. Collins was charged with several which was not fair. And to make matters worse the counts were made to run consecutively instead of concurrently. Mr. Collins has taken up a course in civil engineering during his incarceration and I am sure he will be qualified to fill a very good position if released, which I hope that he will be thru your kind consideration. I am under a doctor's care and have been for some time due to a terrible nervous strain. Hoping you will decide favorably for a release for Mr. Collins so as he may come home to take care of me. I ask this in the name of humanity and sincerely hope you will grant me this request. Thanking you for your time, which I know is valuable and hoping for a favorable reply, I am Very sincerely. Mrs. Walter J. Collins 811 E. Park St. San Gabriel, Calif.