April 21, 1970 (Letter from Anne)

Sorry I haven't written but you would never believe what's been happening around here for the past 2 months.

First of all, me and some friends of mine split to Spread Eagle and stayed there for awhile.  Then we sensed things getting a little tense so we split back to Chicago.  When we got back one of the chick's parents had the cops out after us so we had to split up from the guys.  We all finally went back.  The reason I left was cuz of hassles with the old girl and a few other people.  Things got even worse when I came back so I split again.  This time I took clothes and shit never to return.  One day I ran into Fritz and he told me the old lady had two warrants for my arrest out on me.  So I figured this was as good as time as any so I scraped up some quick cash and flew down to San Francisco.  I called this chick I knew down there so she came to get me.  Her old lady started giving me a really big hassle after the first day so I split with her older brother and we took off up the coast.  We stayed about a week at one of the state beaches, which was really nice.  Then I met this cat who took me in and everything was cool until I got caught swipin a pack of damn cigarettes.  They found out I was from Chicago and also found out that the state had 2 warrants out on me.  So I spent a week in jail there then they shipped me back to Chicago where I spent another week in jail and I am out now on one year's probation and the worst part is a seven o'clock curfew.  What a drag!  Let me tell ya!  It's really a bummer when you know your friends are out living it up on a Friday and Saturday nite and you're sitting home watching dumb TV.  I have to go back to court May 13 an dust maybe they'll lift my 7:00 curfew.  I sure hope so I can't take much more.

I guess everybody knew I went to California cuz kids I don't even know come up to me and ask me how it was and shit.  But I just tell them it was really beautiful out there.  The mountains are fantastic.  One of the guys I met took me for a ride thru the mountains.  It was supposed to be a short ride and turned out to be most of the day.  I thought it was really far out when you were up there at nite and you could see all the lites down in the valley.  It was just beautiful.  I'm gonna go back there when this business is over.  The thought of ruining a beautiful life for a lousy pack of cigarettes.  I had a job and everything.  Just didn't have any money on me at the time.  But what can I say!

Otherwise, everything's fine around here.  The people around her can't stand me and think my mother doesn't realize how wild I am.  That's a bunch of shit.  Man!  This town is the biggest Peyton Place.  Even the lady pigs in California are a hell of a lot better than the ones out there.  When I was in jail in Chicago one of the matrons wold me to scrub out the bathtub.  I told her I couldn't cuz there wasn't any cleanser.  She says (she was colored) "That's tust ruff titty baby, there's nothing I can do about it".   So I said how could I ash it.  So the dumb bitch says I was talkin back and threw me in isolation for 4 days.  At first I was going crazy.  Then I finally got used to it and just slept all day.  I couldn't wait to get out of there.  Shit!  What a rat trap!  I sure as hell hope I never have to go thru that again.  Some quack or one of my old lady's attorneys (she's got about 50) called the assistant states attorney and told him to make sure I was thrown in the can for at least 3 months.    I talked to him after that and talked him out of it.  What a bunch of jerks man!  Somebody waves a $100 bill in their face and they'll do what ever you ask.  Shows how much justice is done in this damn nation.  But there's really not much a person could do about it.

I'm back in school.  I go to a Catholic high and go from 8:00 to 11:00 then take a run over to Harper Jr. College and take Public Speaking and Speech.  The college is about 2 miles from where I live.  I don't know why I'm taking these damn courses at Harper.  Crap!  I go to classes twice a week -- to get the assigned speech and to give it.  The rest of the days I don't even bother to show.  They are supposed to keep me out of trouble.  Ha!

Well, gotta go.  Take care and write soon.

April 19, 1970 (Letter from Patty)

Hi! I am writing to you in a rather high mental state.  Please try to read this in that state also.  You'll enjoy the letter more.

Okay!  Are you ready to begin?  Last night I did mesc for the first time and I really like it.

I presume I should send this letter to Warren after listening to the radio.  Exactly what happened at Buffalo!  We were pretty busy with our own strike, so I'm really not sure what happened.  We didn't have much violence here.  The only bad thing that ahppaned was that someone set fire to the geogloy building, but it wasn't even finsihed being built.  I went to Washington last weekend, it was really good except that I got teat gassed.

I'm still at school for the next two weeks cause they didn't make us leave and I'm going to go to summer school and I'm renting an aprtment with a friend for the summer and next year.   My new address is 716-720 South Crouse, Apt. 8.  It's right in the university section if you ever want to come and see me.

Well, I'm going to end this letter now cause I'm really hungry and I hvae to go get something to eat.

Come pu adn see me if you want to.

April 19, 1970 (Letter from Barb Lucia)

It was really good to hear form you!  I got your letter while I was still at Carol's in Brighton.  You wouldn't believe all the shit since then -- I've changed jobs, moved around at least 942 times, was in a fire, got hit by a car -- oh life is groovy!  I'm living with two really nice girls -- we're having a good time, my job is not bad at all -- I'm staff secretary to 30 guys -- most of them are really nice and the job's not too hard -- so, enough about work.  Oh, so it's back to Gleasons for you -- lucky you.  if you can save up and take off somewhere this summer, it'll be worth it. School seems so remote for me now -- it seems like I'm just clonking around for a few months and then I'll have to go back to school -- considering I've been in school all my life, I can't believe I don't go to school anymore.  I know I will definitely go back to school soon -- if only to get back into that life -- this straight life of 9-5 is really too much -- going to bed early, dressing up every day, going to lunch at noon like 5 million other people, going home every nite to the rush hour -- geez!  And people actually do this for years and years.  Of course, they don't know any better-- what is better?  School is shit too sometimes.

It seems I've lost touch with Mardi temporarily.  She called last week and said she was moving and she'd call as soon as they got a phone.  She has a "good job" (blah) and everything is ok I guess -- I don't know when we'll see each other.  I know she and Bill will stay in Mpls. all summer -- come fall, we'll be in the same old rut again -- what are we going to do?  I wish we could all go home for a week -- the same week -- or all get together somewhere.  But then there are the responsibilities of school, jobs, rent, leases, bills, loan s-- God damn fucking world -- how can you be free in this kind of world?  The older you get, the worse it gets, too.  Just think, when we're as old as our parents, we'll be just like them -- we'll probably love it.  SECURITY -- that dirty word.

I wish I had something exciting to tell you -- you know, my movin-and-a-groovin around the old city.  I think I'm becoming a bar fly -- "juicer" -- got super bombed Monday nite of all nites, couldn't go to work Tuesday morning.  I mean there was no way I could even lift my head up -- good woman.  I've met a lot of people and they're all different form me of course, but you know, most of them are really nice.  It amazes me how good people can be -- they can really be kind!  But then they scare me too -- like Thursday, we went to the Peace Moratorium in the Common -=- it turned out to be a Black Panther takeover -- 75,000 people listening to 'You're all fuckers!  You're all going to die, white pigs" -- etc. etc.  We left early and went to Kenmore Square -- meanwhile, about 55,000 marched to Harvard Square and riot cops were waiting for them an done thing led to another and there was a full-scale riot -- 200 kids injured.-- the Square is completely wrecked.  The people at work give me no end of grief about it -- they're all super-straight business types -- I'm the only one the entire building that even went to the Moratorium!  I think it's useless to even talk to people anymore!  They can just fuck off and think what they want -- there is no use arguing!!  I hope the Panthers do take over and then they'll all shit in their pants, and their six-piece suits, complete with short hair and sideburns.  I imagine the people in Buffalo feel the same way about the "dirty hippies" at U.B.  You're time is coming, people, so get ready -- to defend your narrow little world,  Here I am, sounding just like the panthers, but I really get disgusted with the whole thing...I really can't figure out what we're all going to do.

Do you believe we all missed Renee's wedding?  Well, so much for Renee.  I hope she all lives happily ever after.  I really do -- she'll be happy I think -- screwing Morrey, having kids, etc.  I have not even talked to Joan since about February.  I should write her a letter, but I don't think she cares, one way or the other.  She'll probably be home for another summer and then back to school to marry Freddie -- God, this is unreal.  I hope Mardi doesn't marry Bill, at least not now -- that would really blow my mind.  Now if Michael get married, that would really do the trick!  The face of the world has changed in the last year and everything will probably change just as much in the next.  Good luck to us all!  Yes sir -- well, must go, Pauly -- now you take care of yourself, don't make too many trips to the music room -- I haven't smoked at all since I moved out of Carol's -- the kids here smoke quite a bit so I imagine I will -- I wish I'd get used to it so it'd do something for me!  (I think I'm immune.)  Keep writing and we may see each other in the next couple months.  I know we'll all get together -- if we all try, it has to happen!  How about some midpoint, like Armpit, New Jersey?  Anywhere!!

By now -- Peace to you.

No, Boston is not treating me like a princess -- more like a piece of shit, like very city treats everybody -- you get used to it!

April 10, 1970 (Letter from Mark)

I can't keep track of who owes letters anymore.  I think I owe you one though.  Can't believe that there are only seven more weeks of this year left.  It seems like it has gone by so fast.

Went to Renee's wedding last weekend.  Was a really nice wedding and she really looked great!  Morrey looked like he'd lost some weight so they really looked good together.  Her grandfather did part of the ceremony, then they had a cocktail hour, a sit down dinner and dancing.  Must have cost her dad a fortune.  Was the only one of the old group there.

I'm trying to get all my plans for the summer.  I've got a really great chance to get a job at the Warren pool which I don't want to do at all and it's only because my parents want me to come home.  But I've decided that I just want to paint all summer and sell some paintings.  I've got about seven for sure buyers and get a few more and it will really make it worthwhile.  It will sure be a lot better than hanging around Warren.  At least, I would be able to come and go as I please.

Have you decided what your plans are for the summer?  At least you've got an apartment in case you decided to hang around Buffalo.

Sherri's going to be spending the summer doing nothing, so it will probably work out great for both of us and get together a lot, cause there sure isn't going to be much around Warren to do?

Have you heard much from Mardi?  Thought that she might have been at Renee's wedding, but guess it was sort of a problem to get there.

Well, not too much more to say.  If you get a chance to make it up here, you're welcome to come up.  Not too sure there are any decent groups this quarter or not.  Write when you get a chance.

March 20, 1970 (Letter from Barb Lucia)

Well, it's another afternoon at work, this time it's a different place, different, city, but the same old shit -- work, eat, sleep, go out... there is nothing to do in the winter but be a dud, no matter where you are of what the hell you're doing!

It'll be two weeks tomorrow I've been here-- the first week was an absolute hell -- after running around w/ everybody, I still got to walk around and get lost 3 thousand times in Boston -- you should have seen me -- taking subways, buses, walking and walking and walking -- I'm there, Hey! Neat!  Of course, none of my interviews worked out so here I am working in an office again.  I didn't want this job but the guy kept calling me up and I didn't know what to say, so I took it.  For a grand total of $85 a week, I'll never get rich.

Well, enough of this money-minded materials, straight-city talk -- other than that, things are great.  I'm still living with Carol in her apartment, sleeping on her couch -- there are 4 of us there and it's a little crowded -- I must get my ass moving and find a place -- I am so helpless when it comes to this stuff.  I went down to Harvard Square last nite and got a "Boston After Dark" and looked -- I'm there Duh!  I got lost trying to come home on the subway -- geez, that's the first time that happened -- perverts to the left, perverts to the right -- I'll never be Ratso Rizzo.

What are you doing besides school (blah) -- working? (blah).  When's your spring break?  You really should go somewhere this year.  Bermuda?  Florida?  The Bahamas?  Warren?  Everybody's always talking about what they're doing th is summer -- help!  I don't even know what I'm doing now!

I wrote a letter to Mardi at Bill's in Mpls.  I imagine that's where she is!  I know she's not working yet -- when will we all see each other again?  Renee's wedding is only a few weeks off and I'm almost sure I won't be able to make it.  Not to mention that I didn't get an invitation, but I will try to send her a present anyway; it's not every day you get married!

Do you realize it's almost summer?  Today is beautiful -- of course it might have changed since I went out at noon - - we don't even have windows here-- now hear this -- I have successfully wasted an entire year and will probably do so again -- Paul, when you're rich and famous, will you still talk to me?  I'll probably be carhopping down on the Bowery -- Mardi will be an airline stewardess, Joan will have 6 kids, oh, I can't stand it....

You better write me a line or two soon, at least before your vacation -- I get lonely sometimes her e-- I fell like I'm running a one-man show and I am such a ding-a-ling anyway.  Take care.  How's Kenny.  Heave you been visiting the music room lately?  Last nite Carol and I got out the pipe, but it didn't do a thing for me -- maybe I should go find a music room.

March 8, 1970 (Letter from Gail)

One night (a couple of wks ago) I was watching TV about 11:00 and the news came on, as I was about to turn the channel, they started showing films of the campus and their riots.  I sat -- glued to the TV.  My mother says -- "Doesn't Paul go there?"  I said yeah!  All I could think of was that I hope Paul's not involved in that.  I beet your parents were kinda upset.  I was.  I hope everything's settled down by now.  I'm sorta glad ECO is so damn small and queer now.  The kids over here wouldn't have the guts to do something like that.  Another thing is that there is really nothing to complain about because there is nothing!!!!!!!

I hope you've recovered from your "accidents".  That's a dirty shame.

Leslie came home for the weekend so we went to DeMarco's last nite.  It was lousy!  Fri nite Sheryl Larson, Pat Suppa, and I went up and had a great time.  The place was jammed and really alive.  Last nite it was -- bleck!  I was home by 11;30.  Guess who was there, tho?  Mardi and Barb L.  I was surprised to see them. I didn't talk to them, tho.

Les told me that she talked to Mark last week and he said he's bringing that Sherry chick home for Easter or spring break or something.  But anyways, it's for 2 weeks.  I can't wait to see her.  See what she looks like?  Have you seen her?  I got a letter from Dody yesterday.  He's fine and school's going fine.  Said the social life stinks.  But I guess Lou went up there this weekend.  So it couldn't be as bad as he says.  Right?

Guess what?  My sister called us yesterday and I'm an aunt!  I can't believe it.  I'm so happy!  They had a little 5 lb. baby boy, Michael David.  I can't wait to see him.  But they're in Arlington, Va.  So it mite be awhile.  We celebrated last nite on my new position as "aunt".

Well kiddo, be good and take care of yourself.  Write soon.

March 4, 1970 (Letter from Kathy)

Hope you have recovered from your eventful and nightmare weekend.

Everything here is so great.  I have a chance to go to Florida this Friday, so by the time you get this, I may be on my way.  The only thing holding me back is that Gary was supposed to come up Tues or Wed.  I'm waiting for him to call me back now (he gets sworn into the Air Force today) I really don't see any reason why it should bother him to come a few days late.

I'm supposed to be studying for a final now, but I'm just so excited about this Florida deal I could never concentrate.  Six or seven of us are driving down Friday night and Sat -- staying until Thursday and starting back Thurs. night.

If for some unforseen reason I don't go, then I guess I'll have to settle for skiing in Vermont for the weekend.  I consider this trip a chance in a lifetime and I really don't have any intention of letting it pass by.  It'll only cost me about $50 (at the most).  It just doesn't come any cheaper!!

I'm really curious what my parents are going to say when I call them. They'll either be all for it, or all against it.  Regardless, I don't really think they would try to stop me, and although they'll probably worry that something will happen, I think (hope) they'll be for the idea.  Should be interesting.

Sounds like things on campus are a little hectic. Have they quieted down any?

How is Buffalo doing on the snow situation?  I'm really hoping that Boston has had its last snow.

Got tickets for Gary and I to see "Hair".  I'm really glad now that I have them for the 17th, cuz I'll be back from Florida the 14th.  I've never been there!

Damn!  One of my roommates dropped the telephone last night so we couldn't dial it; a man from the telephone came this morning and put in a new telephone.  Just went to use the phone -- it's dead!  They better send a repair man over here pretty quickly.  I guess it would be pretty hard for Gary to call me if the telephone is dead!

Well, while your working hard, I hope to enjoy my break in Florida.  I'll let you know how things turn out.  Take care.  Be careful in cars.

P.W.  Thank you for the article.