Box 1

Scope and Contents

Stephen writes to his mother Helen and father Andreas, expressing excitement that he is 15 days away from seeing them. At the time of writing the letter, Stephen had just finished 8 weeks of mess hall duty. His parents are visiting from their hometown of San Antonio, TX to see him graduate as U.S.M.C. Private First Class on May 4th. (April 18. 1965 indicates the day letter was stamped at the post office)

Scope and Contents

Helen writes to her son Stephen, as she is excited that he will be arriving in San Antonio in 3 days. She is preparing for his arrival by charging his razor and preparing his clothes. She normally writes to update him with news from back home, but expresses that this time the most important news is that he will be coming home. Stephen's address according to the envelope is Camp Pendleton in Southern CA.

Scope and Contents This group of 8 letters was written from Stephen to his parents between October 1964 and November 1966. In the first letter, Stephen angrily reacts to news that a man from his old neighborhood was killed by a person of Asian descent. Stephen writes about potential career paths, living in San Diego, and purchasing a new car. After January 1966, the next letter on record is written in October 1966 where Stephen writes about his love for a girl named Gaylynn who he plans to marry when he leaves...

Scope and Contents

This letter is written by love interest Gaylynn Duncan expressing her love and admiration for 'Steve'. She misses him dearly and hopes to see him in San Antonio during her holiday break from school. She is in Corpus Christy, TX. but hopes to see him before he returns to California. Date recorded is the date stamped on the letter's envelope.

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This envelope was addressed from Stephen to his mother and contains 7 pages of poems Stephen wrote under the pen name Elonso Fantane.

Scope and Contents

This particular letter stands out because Stephen is speaking relatively incoherently. He says that it's not long until he faces the "most nerve racking" experience of his life but does not elaborate on what that might be. He says he's had feelings that something dangerous will happen to the President of the United States. He states he's worried and would "get it over with" if he could. Letter's envelope is stamped October 24,1966.

Scope and Contents

In a letter to his parents, Stephen adds a copy of his testimony from the court hearing after his arrest. This is the first instance where his arrest is mentioned. In the letter, Stephen tells his parents that he does not know what will happen to him, but expresses that he's getting so annoyed that he does not care. The date listed above, 12-11-1966, is the date on the letter's envelope and may not be the date of his court hearing.

Scope and Contents

This letter is the the only letter in the collection that Stephen sent from San Diego County Jail. He expresses that he has over 30 days before being sent to Chino (CA Institution for Men). He believes that Chino will change him, but he does not know if it will be for better or worse.

Scope and Contents

In this letter from Helen to her son Stephen, she tells him that she has received all of his previous letters including the ones sent to Betty. She is happy that Stephen is reading the Bible and consoles him for breaking down and crying in a previous letter. She ends the letter expressing her belief in his innocence.

Scope and Contents

This collection of 6 letters were written by Stephen to his parents throughout February 1967. These letters mark the first record in this collection written from the California Institution for Men in Chino, CA. Throughout these letters, Stephen writes about his budget management in prison, girls from his past, and letters received from his lawyer, Howard A. Muhleman, and an old superior in the Marines, Major Bond.