Condolence letters re: death of Leland Stanford: Mer - Mu includes Justin S. Merrill, Nelson A. Miles, Frank Miller, and Adelaide Murphy

San Francisco Cal June 23. 1893.

Mrs Leland Standford [sic]. Dear Madam.

Though a perfect stranger to you, & in perfect oppo= site financial circumstances, I can not resist the temptation of sending out to you my tenderest sympa= thy in this your hour of deep grief. Seven years ago, I was bereft of the companion of my life, & since then I can measure the dispair= ing pain of others with that of mine. May God grant you con= solation, is the sincere prayer of one, whoes [sic] husband held yours in the highest esteem.

Most respectfully yours Eliza [Menganieta?]

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noble husband made so many friends who will cling to you in all sympathy & respect - His generous wishes are still to be carried to completion. & under what better auspices could these wishes be carried out, than under your supervision, who know so thoroughly his every thought. Oh my dear friend, he is not dead but sleepeth, watching over you - encouraging you in your noble work - those dear and who ave left us have only give in advance of us to prepare the way for that blessed immortality we hope to enjoy together & to lead our thoughts to that brighter, holier, happier life here after-

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I feel keenly that perhaps he may never meet again - you [Dr?] are so completely centered in Palo Alto - [Dr?] may not come to Washington again - while I alas am stranded here till fortune is kinder to us & ? me to take my children to revisit their birth place - I am sorry to say that there has been such a clearing out & reduction of force in the Departments that may did not get the position she has in [Dr?] of & her position with Mrs Hearst ended when the ^^latter left Washington - still she will continue to try for something. You will be glad to hear our

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Lou Frank graduated with high honors & has the valedictorian - still his future fills us with anxiety [Dr?] means to start him, or to gratify our desire to begin his career in a special study in California where he wished him to identified - od bless & protect you my dear Mrs Stanford & give you strength & courage in your great bereavement indeed we look upon your dear husband's death as a national misfortune but our sadness is tempered by the thought that you will hope energy &spirit to finish his good work - May peace that Cometh from Gob dwell un your heart - & in your house hold - I am resting in the country for a month or so - but my address is alway 1310, [Dr?] avenue.

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[Dr?]

separation from your dear husband, reached me -but I feared my letter would be lost among the mul-titude of others you would receive. Your last sorrow has filled up your cup to the brim - leaving you bereft of all [Dr?] & dearest to you - But oh, you have endured so many to you by your kindest of nature & the broad character of your

Berkeley Cal, June 21 93.

Mrs Leland Stanford Highly Esteemed Lady.

Meanwhile thousand of hearts beat, fuller to warmer, in deep emotion, with you to day , allow me to say in the name of happy Childhood:

"We all love you and we all feel so sorry for you dear Mrs. Stanford."

Yours dear Madam in most sincere, and respectful sympathy Emma [Marrodez?]

[left page] I have so recently lost my own dear husband, that I know well all your anguish. I know too well how empty words seem, and yet I also know that sincere sympathy will unconsciously to your-self, help you to bear your burden bravely.

In your great sorrow you doubtless feel that God has forsaken you, but His holy

[right page] word is full of promises, and if you will read constantly the fifty-fourth chapter of Isaiah, beginning with the fourth verse, it will bring you peace.

I am trying to rely upon God's blessed promises to the widow and orphans, and through them to bring up my two little boys to a noble manhood, and hope as far as my limited means will allow, to so educate them that