Correspondence (incoming): begging letters, A

and I can [ never, now ?] blame them I have lost 3 crops by hale and 2 by drauths 3 years ago I got hurt by a team run on to me with a seeder and hurt me this lade me up for some time this year the drault distroyed my crop and I hate to give up as I have been faithful to my country and my folks the Banks and I have figured up and I owe them twenty eight hundred on my property and I thought if you could help me in a few years I mite pay you back

with intrest, the Banks has been chargin me 10 percent intrest, and it is going to do me up I hope God will have mursy on me and help me out of this Please excuse this poor writing and spelling for I never had any schooling I could send you good reference but I dont want any body to know that I would ask for so much of a person that I never saw and if you cant help me may God be with you for what good you have done

i am in very modest circumstances and would like to have a little help will you be so kind as to make me a present of five or ten thousand dollars or any small amount that you may chuse [sic] to give. most request to aid where income won't let them do what they want visit distant relative not seen in long time finish education start a business buy Christmas gifts preachers wives requesting income supplement swindled by a deal & needs help tired of struggling Leland Stanford Bailey age 12 of Lamar Mo trying to start up a pen pal relationship a texas mother named one son L S & asked for exchange of photos many have references to diety, prayer etc Va. orphanage Mich carpenter wants $1,000 to equip shop will repay by giving 25% of income to charity old man needs money to ease last days 18 yr old asks for $100 to finish H. S. help for three orphaned grandchildren abandoned by father after going through mothers money ill health often the cause for problem

Mrs. Jane L. Stanford Sanfrancisco Cal. Kind Lady, As the Holidays are fast approaching and the little ones, with wishful and longing faces, come around me, their father who has been in ill health for some time and very straitened circumstances, our little home being heavily mortgaged, with other indebtedness caused by sickness and other causes that we could not control. This state of circumstances causes the outlook to appear very gloomy. But we are trusting in the "Supreme Being" and are hopeful that we shall receive some assistance. A thought occurred to me that I should let some persons having abundant means know of my condition. Any aid you may be pleased to extend will be duly appreciated and promptly acknowledged per return mail. Kind Lady please do not turn me empty away But in the kindness of thy heart may you be pleased to favor me with a substantial donation that will be a God send to one of thy fellow mortals who is in distress, and surrounded by a family of helpless children (over)

Thanking you in advance for any assistance, you may be pleased to extend and hoping to receive some substantial, encouragement from you soon. We beg to remain

Your Humble Servant H.T. Bailey Bethesda Ohio 12/24 1901

property when the option expires. However assurances made by Sen. Stanford that he would assist him should it be necessary caused Mr Lansburg to make the improvements besides buying a large piece of property in the rear & erecting thereon an iron & stone 5 story building communicating with the property first mentioned. Now owing to the temporary stringency in the money market Mr Lansburg finds it impossible to borrow money to pay for this property & would therefore lose every dollar put in this plant besides this five story building. This option expiring sometime in Oct. I concluded to place the entire matter before you & ask whether something could not be done having the same to your kindness of heart & good judgment. I am not a business woman & do not know much about such affairs but my impression is that all Mr Lansburg requires is to get the property in his possession by paying the necessary amount & giving the party advancing the money a first mortgage with such interest as may be agreed upon, the improvement already upon same & further improvements necessary, besides the increased value of the land making it absolutely safe. I would not intrude upon your