RARE c1878 ELMIRA NY REFORMATORY PRISON LETTER FROM PRISONER GREAT CONTENT!

Description

Fresh from an old upstate New York estate comes this super interesting letter written by an inmate to his cousin. Faint pencil but I was able to transcribe it mostly.  Amazing content as follows:
" Elmira NY, Jan 19, 1878. Dear Friend. I beg you to excuse a letter from me, me a convict and to excuse I will disguise my hand in the wrapper. And why I write is not to please you but because I hope you will assist me as I will tell you by and by. I write this secretly and a hundred dollars or two hundred dollars would not induce me to have it discovered by the officers of this NY State Reformatory so if you do not wish to injure me you will keep it carefully secret. I was glad that you did not visit me or write me while I was in Norwich but kept clear of me for possibly some one might say that "Birds of a feather flock together". It is Saturday evening and I am all alone in my cell with a bright gass light. In this cell is my bed which is sufficiently comfortable, a chair, a couple of shelves for books & a broad shelf which serves as a table, plenty of water and some books for toilet too. This PM we were favored by Dr. Jas. K. Bucher (brother of H.W.) with a very amusing lecture and we expect to listen to him often hereafter. We have school twice a week and a good sermon on Sunday PM. I teach in the school. This is an excellent thing for the men who have limited education also for those who are better instructed. On Saturdays we have an excellent bath at my desired temperature, a shave & change of clothing. We have a uniform of gray woolen cloth which is very good and wrapper and drawers. I would be very glad if you would send me some NY or Norwich papers. We are not allowed papers although we shall be when the reading room is completed. We have a passable library of 300 books, I read 2 or 3 books per week.  There is a beautiful chapel elaborately furnished and promised it will be ready for use in a few  weeks. All is new here. The bldgs. are brick, finely trimmed with Ohio Grindstone. A large main structure with long wings north & south. The south one is completed but the north one is not finished inside. This one will be much more desirable for the best class of men. I will be ready next summer to eat in our cells but I'll eat in the dining room in the meantime. I want this for the superintendent to see. But I am asking too much so you may let this go. But I want you to write to me privately what folks say of me and what the superintendent would learn if he makes inquiries as he has or will. You direct your letter as I said to Adie and Clint. You will, I trust, send the part for Clint and Adie to Clint immediately. If you send papers wrap them in a small compass so they may be handled easily. You help me this time and I will try to and trouble you as little as possible. Tell me what people say of me, speak plain, don't flatter me. Tell me where I acted the biggest fool in your mind. If you would do it, write me all of the news. Everything you can say would interest me. (illegible section due to fading of pencil lead), Your cousin."
Free shipping of this 2 page (both sides) letter and envelope in US.