Executioner's Song, The - Norman Mailer [252]
Jeremys father is the late Alfred Kip Eberhardt.
So Jeremy does have legal grandparents by the last name of Eberhardt who may wish to be notified of his whereabouts. They are residing in Paoli, Pennsylvania, I think.
As to the care custody and welfare of my children-I am not only desireing but demanding that the responsibility of them and any decisions concerning them-be placed directly and immeadiatly into the hands of Thomas Giles Barrett and/or Marie Barrett of Springville, Utah.
If the Barretts so wish to adopt my children-they have my willing consent.
If they wish to place the responsibility of one or both children into the hands of another responsible party of their choice-they again have my willing consent.
That is of course-until the children are of legal age to make their own choices.
I have a pearl ring in hock in the bowling alley in Springville. I would really like for someone to get it out and give it to my little Sister-April L. Baker.
Also I have made arrangements for a sum of money to go for April's mental health problem. My mother should not spend that money for anything other than to pay a good Mental Hospital for helping April back to her sanity.
Now, as to the decision as to what should be done with my dead body-I ask that it be cremated. And with the consent of Mrs. Bessie Gilmore I would have my ashes mixed with those of her son Gary Mark Gilmore. To be then-at any future convenient date scattered upon a green hillside in the State of Oregon and also in the State of Washington.
If my own mother and father-Charles R. Baker and Kathryne N. Baker are not agreeable to this request-so be it. Let them decide as they choose.
I would ask that they arrange for at least three songs to be sung at my funeral . . .
A song written by John Newton called (Amazing Grace), also one by Kris Kristofferson titaled Cocky me) and lastly a song titaled (Vally of Tears) which I know not the author of.
If any other persons, friends or family wish to sing or have sung any more songs at my funeral on my behalf or on behalf of those who grieve, resent or are indifferent to my passing-why . . . I would be grateful.
Now going through it, Nicole realized she had more to say, just a little more. She had not really disposed of her belongings. In the quiet of her apartment, she sat at the table before a piece of paper:
Nicole K. Baker
Mon. Nov. 5, 1976
I do not feel much like writing this day, Thoe I suppose there are a couple of things left I should take care of.
No, jest this.
Everything in my apartment of course-my mother can decide what to do with.
I have nothing here of great value except the painting of the two little boys gazeing at the moon. It is Sunny Marie Barretts painting now. It is to be hung in her roam at Tom and Marie Barretts house, until or unless she asks that it be removed-and I would rather she never sell it-but the choice should be hers when she reaches the age of 18.
Again I state, the painting of the two little boys gazeing at the moon, done by Gary Gilmore now belongs to Sunny Marie Baker Barrett.
My mother has my every consent to take all or any of my letters and do with them what she pleases. If they can in any way bring her some money-then I'll be all the gladder. But I would desire her to share the money as she sees fair-with all my brothers and sisters and also my Aunt-Kathy Kampman.
Since there are so many people trying and being successful at makeing money on the story of Gary Gilmore and l, I would jest as soon it was someone I love and care for and trust to have part of that success. So . . . the letters are my Mothers, Kathryn N. Baker's.
If she wishes to burn them-so be it also.
My Mother probably has little use for any of my household belongings-which are of no value-so I would truely like for my good friend Kathy Maynard to have any of my furniture she chooses and any of the things hanging on my walls-jest anything in this apartment that my Mother would not feel too reluctant to part with.
I do hope Marie