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this is the first part of the letter that ends on the preceding page, 992006198805867_midwest_ms_conroy_box_00027_fl_01411_000015.jpg

in pencil in top margin Sheridan, Ruth

Dec. 1981 Dear Jack & Gladys,-

   Frank Mead wrote giving news of you two.  I'm still hanging in in the land of oil, coal, gas and countless other natural resources.  Matter of fact I've embarked on a new career - bookstore partner.  That feminist bookstore we had in our basement is now "up front" and downtown.  Found a cheap location and took the plunge right out there with B Dalton and Waldenbooks and our own Book Cache.  So far, we're surviving but there the momentum of Christmas carries us.
   I was in Chicago in September and attended the IWW Convention.  Not many old-timers are around - Fred Thompson and Carlos Cortez and then a host of 20's & 30's men and women.  I quickly found the Anarchist faction and then tried to understand what was going on.  The IWW lives, as it continues to die.  We went thru the motions of electing General Exec. Board members and a Genl. Secy.  Treasurer but so much time was spent doing this that we didn't talk about the strengths and weaknesses of the organization and where it might go.  Hell, just the fact that it is alive scares some people.  I mean this literally.  I offered to put on a support meeting for our local