Cornelia Brown Writes the Judge

During the Depression, my grandfather Paul Brown Thomas lost all of his businesses. He had a restaurant and a loan business among others. The loan business probably was the breaking point. Anyway, in March 1933, he was arrested for his newest venture, bootlegging. So off he went to jail.

Well, his mother Cornelia Brown Thomas, 77, was not happy. She wrote a letter to “Judge Grubbs and his crew” to plead for his release. In her letter, she claims her grandmother was of the royal family of Ireland and that made her partial to Catholics. Hmmm…maybe Judge Grubbs was Catholic?

Anyway, he was having a good time in jail. My mom says that her mother Annie would take food and cakes for everyone at the jail, and they all loved her. My mom was 8. Grandfather wanted to serve his entire term because he didn't want an early release on his record. Besides, he was rather enjoying his little vacation playing cards with the guards!

Here are photos of the letter and my great grandmother Cornelia a bit younger than when she wrote the letter. I have included a translation (with added punctuation) by the photos..

Cornelia's Letter

The Letter's Address

Cornelia Brown

Monday morning March 13, 1933

To Judge Grubbs and his crew

I am 77 had lost ever thing we possessed but a car and our only support and you all have taken that. What do you think we are going to do. just think for a moment and let my boy come home please do. It’s hard for people of Royal birth to beg. My Grandmother was of the Royal family of Ireland is why I reckon that I’ve been partial to the Catholics. I thought my boy would get justice from you.

from Paul’s mother

Written in 2025 by Jamie from information from her mother many years ago.