Lot 16
Bulger James "Whitey"
Whitey Bulger, in His Own Words, 22 Handwritten Letters, 63 Pages, Worthy of a Book!
This fascinating archive of letters by James “Whitey” Bulger from federal prison in Florida to a pen pal in Georgia discuss the trials and convictions of both Bulger and his girlfriend Catherine Grieg, with whom he was in hiding for sixteen years. Other topics include prison life (including his years in Alcatraz), famous gangsters of the early twentieth century, his family, his pen pal’s family, dogs, current political and cultural events, and a variety of other subjects. Sometimes sounding like a doting grandfather with advice on life and at others like a hardened criminal with little regard for law and human life, this juxtaposition of tones makes for riveting reading. Bulger frequently mentions his life of crime but complains about the inequities of the justice system that let accomplices responsible for more than fifty murders go free for testifying against him, while his girlfriend spends more than a decade in federal prison. He comments on everything from the 2016 Presidential Election to the legalization of marijuana to the Kardashians.
After fleeing Boston in January 1995 with girlfriend Catherine Grieg, Bulger lived under assumed names in the United States until a tip from a former Miss Iceland led the Federal Bureau of Investigation to capture him in Santa Monica, California, in June 2011. In the summer of 2013, he stood trial for racketeering, extortion, money laundering, and weapons charges, along with complicity in more than twenty murders while he ran the Winter Hill Gang in South Boston. It also became evident during the trial that he had been an informant for the FBI and used that position to eliminate key figures in rival gangs. Found guilty of most of the charges, Bulger was sentenced to life in prison. Initially imprisoned in a penitentiary in Tucson, Arizona, in January 2014, he was soon accused of an improper relationship with a female psychologist, who helped him gain approval to communicate with Grieg, held in a federal prison in Minnesota. In 2015, Bulger was transferred to a federal prison in Florida, known as a “safe” facility where informants, former police officers, ex-gang members, homosexuals, and sex offenders could supposedly avoid violence from other prisoners. Late in October 2018, Bulger was sent to a federal prison transfer facility in Oklahoma City, then to a federal penitentiary in West Virginia with a reputation for violence. Within hours of Bulger’s arrival, other inmates beat him to death with a padlock inside a sock, gouged his eyes, and attempted to cut out his tongue. The attack was probably instigated by other prisoners from a rival organized crime gang in Boston.
JAMES “WHITEY” BULGER, Autograph Letters Signed, to Keith Farmer, 2016-2018. 21 letters, 63 pp. Also includes one Autograph Letter Signed from Catherine Grieg to Tabitha Farmer, 1 p. Letters have expected folds and are in excellent condition.
Excerpts
[June 21, 2016]
[Includes photocopy of advertisement for Whitey: United States of America v. James J. Bulger, a documentary released in June 2014.]
“Catherine and I had a special bond – on the run for 16 years just the two of us alone – no contact with the past – crime free after a life of violent crime prison – friend shot dead – attempts on my life fortunately by people Law and Criminals that couldnt shoot straight. Catherine and I alone together became very close and her patience love and loyalty helped me to settle down feel emotions Id suppressed for so many years in prison and on the streets involved in bank robberies, gang wars, and violence. 16 Wonderful years together felt Love and they were the Best Years of my life - the memories sustain me and will be with me until my FINAL BREATH.”
“Its been months since Catherine and I allowed to write all since her ordeal in front of Grand Jury – Her sentence for harboring a fugitive – longest sentence in U.S. and now the Grand Jury have given her more time for her refusing to Answer any Questions.”
“Sentence now 11 years and 2 months – she will do more time than any of the Cooperating Killers who collectively have killed and confessed to about 50 murders – All are free and Wealthy wrote book for profits.”
“I want to live to see her free.”
August 8, 2016
“Thanks for offer to help Catherine but right now feel it wouldnt work – But later maybe Ill never give up trying.”
“Same Persecutor freed 4 killers more than ten years ago and maybe 15 years ago and to this day he meets with them – all free and rich – they go out for dinner and drinks – Ethical? I call it Strange – old timers feel the 4 put together a few mill and bought the Deals that freed them – they all were facing Life no Parole or Death – in Fla. or Oklahoma.”
“Plus I know how corrupt the system is in Boston I bought and paid for all kinds of things. If they ever have Congression[al] or Senatorial Live hearing on the ‘Deals’ Corruption I’d be pleased to be invited.”
August 20, 2016
“Thanks a million for the great pictures and the picture of your son ‘Gunnar’ – handsome boy. Spare no effort or expense to get him a good education. My brother Bill had 9 children – he wouldn’t have a TV in the house – said it was part of the Dumbing Down of America – his 9 children all have college degrees – 4 are lawyers – none have gone to prison and their children are all great students.”
“We grew up poor in America’s first housing project.”
“My brother said Im going to Law School after College and work to get you free – he did all of that – Went to Boston College Law School became a lawyer ran for State Rep won – then became State Senator – then Senate President for over 30 years – through a Congressman John McCormack was paroled after 9 years.
“My brother retired after 40 years became the ‘President of University of Mass.’ Then Im up to my ears in ‘Gang Wars’ after robbing many more banks then into Organized Crime. Unfortunately – Gov of Mass Romney with Boston Globe newspaper forced my brother to quit because his brother was on the FBIs Most Wanted – also took pension of other brother Jack he retired was clerk of Juvenile Court – Feds asked him ‘did you hear from your brother’? He should not have answered – said talk to my atty – They knew I called Boston one time – caught him in lie 6 months in jail and 6 months house arrest! Romney took his pension!”
Bulger’s brother William M. Bulger (b. 1934) graduated from Boston College in 1957 and from Boston College Law School in 1961. He served as a Democrat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1961 to 1971, and in the Massachusetts Senate from 1971 to 1996. His tenure as President of the Massachusetts Senate is the longest in history. He served as the President of the University of Massachusetts from 1996 to 2003, when Governor Mitt Romney demanded his resignation.
Bulger’s brother John P. “Jack” Bulger (b. 1939) worked for the State of Massachusetts for thirty-two years as a clerk magistrate. After John Bulger pleaded guilty to charges of lying to grand juries investigating his fugitive brother, state retirement officials voted in 2003 to cut off his pension, which he had received since 2001. In 2004, a Boston Municipal Court judge reinstated the pension, but the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled in 2006 that he was not eligible for a pension.
August 21, 2016
“Nice and quiet in the cell house – the Herd is resting up for another day of Noise – TV and whatever else entertains them.”
“Waiting on these 2 copys of AZ Roster – 2 birds with one stamp – Waste Not – Want Not.
“fact there was an Elmer Farmer 299 AZ a member of the Barker, Karpis Gang – there was a Herbert Farmer, 322 AZ – part of the Kansas City Massacre – happened at Railway Station gangster tried to rescue prisoner Nash being transported to prison – when gang tried to rescue him shoot out took place – very good account of what took place is in book ‘Public Enemies.’ One of the best books on crime in that era.
“Ray Karpis mentioned how ‘Pretty Boy Floyd’ was one of the men with ‘Thompson Sub Machine Guns’ regard Floyd as having courage – the prisoner Nash was killed by the rescuers – feds had put a wig on him and seated him in front passenger seat – one of first to die in a wild up close shoot out.”
“Lots more Good Guys and few low weirdo, junkie low lifes who would steal and sell any one out for a fix! Now Reversed few Good Men – majority junkies home wreckers – prison they adjust to and seem to thrive – they will be in and out all their lives a drain on America – the Good men fight and die in the never ending wars of today and the Losers are in prison sheltered fed cook their meals watch TV and even get paid to work – never drafted! Good men died young and whats left! Needed drastic methods to break this cycle of Professional Prisoners that Enjoy and make a career of ‘Doing Time.’”
Bulger’s August 20, 21, and 22, 2016 letters included a six-page roster of inmates at Alcatraz prison. He placed dots next to persons he knew there. Bulger’s number on the roster was 1428 AZ.
August 22, 2016
“The little dot to left of name means person I knew on the Rock.... I lived in C Block cell 314 3rd tier cell 314 – 3rd tier would get light at night from over head light, so guards could see in cell house as they made their rounds. I would read most of the night by that light came in through the bars Id have my tin cup with water on floor and wet my eye lids to keep me awake. Read for hours & hours day and night – loved to read and exercise – good for mind & body. Here I read and also enjoy talk shows – news and politics. Sadly Good Men have been driven away from politics because of the vicious media attacks on the man & his family. Few want to be exposed to this and opt out and get into Business.”
“I always liked ‘Non Fiction’ – Military History – Read many of the classic English – French – Russian – and American authors.... One of my favorite was Tolstoy’s War & Peace – about 1400 pages – read it twice once in Atlanta and again in Az – Great account of Napoleon taking the French Army invading Russia went all the way to Moscow proved to be a grave yard for French Army – Russia was a huge country.”
“May there be no more World Wars – insurance is to be strong and Prepared for war – in the jungle Rabbits are eaten – Lions can sleep any where they choose.”
“time moves fast for me I keep busy and make the best of it – have learnt from years ago in prison to shut down emotions and feelings – makes it easier adjust to this Life. No complaint Keith I signed up for a Life of Crime and knew the pit falls and the price of failure – Prison is an occupational hazard – my Regret is for the pain inflicted on Catherine and my family.”
August 25, 2016
“Please never send me any papers too much $ plus I hate the Media. In Boston I have been the target of the Boston Globe – they knew in the 70s I opened fire on the Globes modern glass buildings – used pump shot gun 12 ga. with deer Slugs – used the windows for target practice – 3 AM – plant all lit up no workers hurt.”
“Bottom Line – I never read the newspapers they get their Revenge now that Im in here.”
August 30, 2016
“I had a 27 foot ChrisCraft lap streak with in board engine and loved going out in the ocean during storms 30-40 foot waves high winds & driving rain – would go out past sight of land – boat was wooden and built to take it.
“On good days Id go far out for target practice – throw plastic jugs over and fire all types of guns hand guns shot guns carbine-rifle and full auto sub machine guns. Hard to do on land – noise attracts un wanted.”
“I am going to see if I can find out who bought the flattened Penny. That says I love you Santa Monica Ca – has arrow going through 2 hearts – when I gave it to Catherine she said I Love it and will keep it forever - I was a guy who was ice cold had suppressed my feeling for the prison years and the violent years of gang wars and bloodshed: When Catherine said that I chocked up – I loved her more than Life but never said much of my feelings – after years I started to feel and change.”
“16 years free of crime had its effect and I started to join the human race: I never thought they would take me alive if I fought and killed any of them Catherine would be doomed – so I couldn’t think of that – in my apt I had 31 guns and lots of ammo could have given them a battle but we would be trapped in apt house – they could fire through walls or up through floor with armor piercing rounds. Once I asked Catherine would you want to go out like Bonnie & Clyde – her answer Most emphatically NO!”
American criminals Bonnie Parker (1910-1934) and Clyde Barrow (1909-1934) robbed a dozen banks and numerous small stores and gas stations during a crime spree lasting from 1932 to 1934. They killed at least nine police officers and several civilians. In May 1934, they were killed in their stolen car from multiple gunshot wounds by a posse in Louisiana.
September 28, 2016
“Gunnar...looks like her brother David, he was a great young guy – I tried to help him but failed – he took drugs – he had good qualitys – young – I had a gym set up for him in her familys basement.... Got him a job with the Union – construction – he became the shop steward on the job – youngest one ever – Spent time with him preaching against drugs – he was a nice guy had a girlfriend – friend of my family and my mother. Later he slipped back into drugs and drifted away – Conflicted – Depressed shot himself.”
“Told spread the word Theres a Death Penalty for any one who brings Heroin into the neighborhood and also Angel Dust – Both deadly and brain killers Example and that ended those drugs entirely.”
“Shut down crack house – run owners out of town – had house covered windows with Plywood sprayed skull & cross bones on it and nailed door shut – end of that. Run out of town an arab cab driver pimp & 2 hookers – gave them ½ hour to get out.”
“Gov spent millions of tax payer $ to put me here.”
“Justice in Boston where if you want a good outcome ‘Buy It.’”
“When I left with Catherine I left crime and rackets behind for a better life – crime free for 16 years. Would never get Catherine a passport felt 5 years in prison penalty so we never left US. Now may have just as well left. They have buried Catherine in Time.”
“Im glad I went on the Run and left life of Violence & Crime behind me – if not forced, Id have never quit – that life was natural to me and the only thing I was successful at.... Sometimes I do wish I stuck with robbing banks – never hurt any one pay was good and robbed total of 20 in US – 3 I went to prison for and 17 after prison.”
“PS I discourage visits – don’t like my family to travel to see me – I worry about their safety – plus visiting room is full of families little children mothers and grand parents seeing them say good by the tears and the children saying across the room Good by Daddy and the tears is hard to witness for me.... I accept my situation and can understand would have preferred they let Catherine go free and put me in the electric chair – fast death and OVER.”
“Best of luck to you your wife & Gunnar – man you have a great family and a good life – Protect it and never gamble!”
October 6, 2016
“Catherine has had a hard life alcoholic father – David suicide her nephew twin sisters son – Suicide and while we were gone her sister a nurse died of Heroin Overdose and father from Alcohol, and mother died – we found out from newspaper – shocked Catherine. Shes tough but sensitive and loss of family members has hurt.”
November 9, 2016
“Wonderful that you will buy your own house – great feeling – and secure feeling for you Tabby and Gunnar. You have so much going for you – so many of todays couples get divorced and the children suffer – will never happen to you.”
“Im glad the President race is Over – Clinton we know about – Clintons in White House for 8 years – scandals – in the Oval Office. Ronald Regan said he away [always] wore a tie in there out of respect. Clintons came to Washington broke now with more than $300,000,000 plus!”
“In prison seems all the ‘Inmates’ are sick over his winning. If he puts America ‘Back to Work’ and ups the standard of living and he may do it – that should please the majority of Americans.”
“Im the oldest prisoner in this place.”
“And stupid publicity gives these guys something to talk about ever few days some wacko is asking me for my signature (for their family) reality to sell on EBAY.”
“Warden Madigan of Alcatraz we called him ‘Promising Paul’ One tough S.O.B. but fair and when Rock ended we all would look back and had good memories of Madigan – he was hard but so were we and we rioted went on strike, fought, burned and 10 guys cut their Achilles Tendon – self-mutilation when Madigan had goon squad ready with pick handles to force end of work strike.”
“we all liked him – he was a tough Irish man from Chicago wished he was a politician and after the Rock closed in 63 he worked hard and got Ray Karpis who did 25 years on the Rock parole to his sister in Canada – he wrote book went to Spain and died a free man – without Madigan he died in Prison.”
Paul J. Madigan (1897-1974) was the warden of Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary from 1955 to 1961. Alvin “Ray” Carpis (1907-1979) was a Canadian-born American criminal of Lithuanian descent who led the Barker-Karpis gang in the 1930s. He was one of only four to have the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Public Enemy #1 designation, and the only one to be captured alive. John Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd, and Baby Face Nelson were the other three. After serving twenty-six years in prison at Alcatraz (the longest of any inmate), Karpis was released on parole in 1969 and deported to Canada. He published memoirs in 1971 and posthumously in 1980.
[November 14, 2016]
“drugs have ruined todays criminals – addiction has cost them their dignity and their character and ethical standards – its no more comradeship more dog eat dog hooray for me and to hell with you. And hang friends to save self. Could recount many examples of how much better the Men were in the Good Old Days.”
“Calibre of prisoner has drastically changed.”
“I corrupted many Powerful Cops, Agents, and others I wont name here. And one thing a common thread – They want contact once in a while to be Reassured that ‘No One has or will leak any thing about $ passing for the Deals that set 4 killers free!”
Among those who testified against Bulger in his 2013 trial were John Martorano, who admitted to killing twenty people and served twelve years in prison before being released in 2007. Another, Kevin Weeks (b. 1956), was arrested in 1999 and became a cooperating witness. He was released from federal prison in 2005 and published a memoir in 2006. Frank Salemme (b. 1933) pleaded guilty to racketeering charges as part of agreement to drop murder charges against him. He was released from prison in 2003 in return for testifying against Bulger and others. In 2018, he was convicted of a 1993 murder and sentenced to life in prison. Pat Nee (b. 1944) was imprisoned from 1987 to 1989 for attempting to smuggle guns to Irish republican terrorists, and again from 1990 to 2000 for armed robbery. He received immunity for his testimony against Bulger and others and wrote a 2006 memoir.
December 1, 2016
“Just found the picture for your brother Bill I forgot to put in letter to you – What next – feel like I am slipping hope its not Altsheimers!”
“Your brother will miss Xmas by a few days but hes getting a great Gift – His Freedom – hes young and hope he meets a compatable female – that would be a blessing. Hes a fortunate person coming home another chance at Freedom if he was here in my cell at this moment, I think I could talk him into saying good by to this kind of Life.”
“May be they should follow some criminals capture on camera – time in jail – all on live TV – camera recording him in cell – eating in cell and much confinement have a special channel that runs 24 hours a day week in – week out – while he is doing a life sentence.... People who could see the periods of loneliness Depression – sickness and Death after years of viewing him would have a true picture of the results of a wasted life, not a Hollywood picture. ‘Shock Therapy’ worth a try and nothing ventured nothing gained. Follow the life of a few men – tune in any time – night or day – would have a sobering effect. So far nothing has worked.”
In December 2011, Farmer’s brother Billy Farmer (a registered sex offender in Ohio) was arrested in Newnan, Georgia, for leaving Ohio without notifying the sheriff’s office. He was apparently released again in December 2016.
December 1, 2016
“Back home people call the 3 meals Breakfast – Dinner and Supper – looking back – for the first 13 to 15 years of my life never ate 3 meals in a day. Things were grim, then, made me determined to not be poor – and I got that taken care of from 16 or 17 years old on. But used the Wrong Methods to accumulate wealth.”
“I can see now a huge problem in how common and easy it is to secure and use drugs. And the Gov. Legalizes them – to me insanity my feeling Legal Marijuana leads to harder drugs for the majority who sign up for it.”
“I guarantee you no one will be wiser, healthier or Richer for signing up – I guarantee some day this Experiment will be looked back on and Regrets!”
“The one thing impress on your Brother – never be in a car with any body armed – he could be sent to prison for years – in company of any one with a fire arm.”
January 10, 2017
“On my own Id have been seeking Revenge and would not have gone down without a fight. I was aware captured – Life or Death faced me and I had 9 years of prison and knew the slow death of a life sentence from observation.”
“I had hoped in vain Obama may grant her some lenience but his focus was on helping people in drug cases. I must make an effort to not sound so bitter to Catherine. Will try hard from tonight on. She writes me every day. I try to do same not easy when this sick. But for Catherine I would do anything to help make her day easier.”
“Have to write Catherine and a friend in Las Vegas regarding the Mob Museum – did I mention it before?”
The Mob Museum: National Museum of Organized Crime & Law Enforcement opened in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2012. It focuses on organized crime’s impact on the world, contains 20,000 square feet of exhibition space, and cost $42 million to construct.
May 5, 2017
“Since my last letter have been in outside hospital with a heart attack – my 4th – 3rd one here and 3 times in same hospital.”
“My left hand is hand cuffed to bed with also a black metal box with a heavy pad lock on it that pulls on my left shoulder – hurts all the time after hours and for a week after I come back to my cell here in prison – My right hand has IVs etc attached to pole and legs shackled and long chain heavy chains my feet to bottom of the bed. Generates more pain than the Heart attack after days & nights.”
“just writing & thinking gives me slight chest pain. Have to face it – Im old and anything can happen and will one of these days.”
“Leaving and getting ‘Home’ cheers me up – some time heart guys go in their sleep – doubt Id ever get that lucky.”
“639 must be going to feed us in cells & Dead Lock? Most of the time I dont know why! I dont mind – quieter! And Ive got to hate noise and loud people which is the majority of the population. Seems like the inmates are running the institution – Latest thing defys the imagination. Never saw one before but all the weirdos wear lipstick!... They claim they are transsexual?? and get hormone injections and Estrogen – disgrace – no shame – wear lipstick womans under wear and you can see the bras. Next they will be asking for sex change operation – at tax payers expense.”
“Life is too easy in prison and I prefer Alcatraz to the New System – feel like Im in a lunatic asylum at times and the inmates have taking over the asylum.”
“On my grave stone carved my epitath
‘Id Rather Be in Alcatraz’”
“I think America was a better, safer and more sane place 50 years ago.”
“Hope Trump can keep us out of war and can neutralize North Korea – Biggest threat to peace.”
June 12, 2017
“I am the oldest prisoner here and Depp has made me High Profile.”
“critics say open the Border! I say investigate before they get to our country not after! Lets hope the savage media will come to their senses before some wild man like me says Enough and [?] shoots up the newspaper – twice – happens that same newspaper is one of his biggest critics.”
“I never took the stand to defend myself – waste of time and Beneath me I knew I was Going Down – indicted for 19 murders and would not engage in finger pointing You did this! You did that! To Hell with them that would sound petty and hysterical. Im going out growling not whining or Begging.”
“He died in Springfield Prison hospital – grave yard for most of us with life sentences – where I may die if I ever get transferred to a hospital – 3 heart attacks here so far & one in Plymouth jail – so far Nitro Pills are keeping the Grim Reaper Away – trying hard to stay alive to try and help Catherine through her unfair ordeal.”
“soccer a great game for the youth hope it spreads across U.S. better exercise than football or baseball or basketball – out in the fresh air many can play and the fast game builds stamina and muscle without the concussion of football dangerous game for real young boys.”
Actor Johnny Depp starred as Bulger in the 2015 movie Black Mass. Benedict Cumberbatch portrayed Bulger’s brother William, and Dakota Jo ... for full description contact University Archives
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