Correspondence (incoming): begging letters, A

Close my letter; hoping you will open your heart as well as your Purse and if Possible let me hear from you before Christmas, if you do what you can I think you will make us the happiest family in the world; Wishing you a merry Christmas I am Yours Respectfuly Mrs Mary Anderson Box 30 Absaraka, N. D.

Absaraka, N. D. Dec 14 1901 Dear Mrs Stanford Will you Please read this letter; and forgive me for writing thus and ask for help, but we are very hard up and unless we get some help we will have to go from our little home and have debt besides; we started farming two years ago we bought a half section of land on the crop payment plan, and we would have been allright if we

firm, but scarcely earn enough to support myself. My home is near Harrisburg - have not been home for a long time, but want to go home over the holiday, and do not want to go without taking a few litle tokens of remembrance for my brothers and sisters, but I do not have the means to get them.

Anything you could do for me would be highly appreciated.

Trusting that I may receive an early reply from you, I remain

Sincerely yours

(Miss) M.L. Anthony. 1031 Indiana Ave Phila. Pa.

1031 Indiana Ave Philadelphia Pa. Dec 10, 1901.

Dear Mrs Stanford

I have just read your kind and noble deed in giving such a large amount of money to the Stanford University and have been thinking that perhaps you might help me out. I am a young lady and am typewriter an office of a Publishing

[Letterhead: The Agricultural and Mechanical C0llege for NEgroes W.H. COUNCILL President. ]

Normal, Ala. Dec 23, 1901

Mrs. Stanford Stanford University Palo Alto. Cal.

Dear Madam:-

I am a young colored man and I write you this letter to lay my case before you. I am an instructor in Natural and Physical Sciences in this Institution and am very derirous of pursuing my studies further. I attended Olivet College, Michigan and finished the scientific course. I came south to teach till I was able to continue my study later, but I find that wages are so low that I am barely able to make my living expenses so that I am unable to do it.

Would you not be willing to assist me to take some higher work in the Sciences at the University. I do not know of another colored man who is studying science, therefore I think I could do a great deal of good inthe South with my people. I should like to establish a strong science department in some one of the schools in the South and then instruct [both?] on the grounds and by the University Extension method. This branch of study is so much neglected and pushed aside that something ought to be done.

[Letterhead: The Agricultural and Mechanical C0llege for NEgroes W.H. COUNCILL President. ]

Of course the northern Universities and Colleges are so expensive that the negro could not attend if he so desired, hence it must be brought to them and made cheaper.

I have asked you to assist me because I felt that you were interested in education and might be interested in the negro race.

I have educated myself so far and even now am only asking for a chance. It should be my first duty to replace all moneys used by me should that be the agreement.

If it is not presumption on my part I would like so much to hear from you on this most important matter.

Very respectfully.

Hiram E. Archer Normal, Ala.