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Prisoner No. 50875 Name Walter Duncan To Dollie Duncan Box No. Route #1 City: Stilwell State: Okla
April 10, 1951
Tuesday, at 3:30 P.M. when we got up from taking a nap, there was a letter here from you. We felt exceedingly good as we read it. We are not referring to the news that you were ill, but that you were in good health when you wrote the letter. As for us “calves,” I guess you could say that we are fine, because we had a good sleep towards this evening. Now our jaws are moving [as if chewing] with our tongues hanging out, as we were waiting [for your letter]. I guess we are all doing fine, we si-qua-yah. Maybe you do not understand what we mean by our jaws moving. I think it refers to how we eat. That would be how [regular] people talk. This is just how us prisoners talk. When you mentioned about U-yv-ha-di you made me remember what I used to eat and you made me hungry. A woman named Lo-si Di-go-li-ye-s-gi used to cook it and we ate it together.
Ok, now A-ma will speak. Yes, mother, I will do my best to put aside the [alcohol] that makes one drunk when I get out. It is true, if I get drunk, I won’t be able to remember my time in here. That is what I think about. Truly, I will be back home in a short time. Now, I will tell you something even better, just between you and me. It is good to forgive. Mother, I feel sorry for you of how sad you must have felt, in secret, because I know for myself that it is not good for a person to be drunk. But mother, when I get back there, I have decided to be a committed Christian, if I can be left alone.
I received a letter from We-gi. But I realized that what she had to say was harmful. She asked if I was going to come home in a good [sober] mood. But I forgive her if she really meant to be hurtful. As for me, I really love my family. Soon, I will find out for myself if anything is harmful, but I am not saying I will be angry. As for me, I am just the way I am whenever you come and visit me. I always say in my letters that I am well and feeling glad as I send these letters. It is much better to speak, not only using letters, but with the eyes and to use your own mouth to talk. I let go of the joking. We are both not educated, but as for the rest, we will discuss it among ourselves in three weeks. As for this letter, I don’t want anyone to misunderstand. I was feeling fine and very happy as it was written for me, just as I was telling [him] to write it. Mother, I am always going to church. I always pray whenever I go there, that we will all see one another in good health.
Send me ten dollars. I am going to buy belts to take home. That is all I am writing. Hello to everyone. Me, A-ma A-dv-ga. Have one of my sisters send me the money. I am saving this. I won’t forget it. What about your picture that we were waiting for? Our eyes are drooping now from looking forward to it. Now our tears are dry and it still hasn’t arrived. What are we going to do? What has happened?