Correspondence (incoming): begging letters, A

Philadelphia Pennsylvania

My dear Mrs Stanford:

Imagine, if you can, the torn heart and soul of a woman who has been laboring for thirty years - yes, for over thirty years of a difficult life, to do her whole duty to those whom God gave into her keeping, -imagine, if you can, the feeling which is engendered within the woman's mind, as she reads the enclosed,

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realizing your blessings, and wondering why it has been my ill-fortune, to see everything fail in happy fruition. If you could but know how faithfully my apparent duty has been done, and how, after all_ after all, I find but disappointment staring me in the face,+_ well, perhaps you would not ever wonder that a weary soul at last yields the battle, and longs, at last,

[newspaper clipping] MRS. STANFORD'S GREAT GIFT

She Turns Over Bonds and Property valued at $30,000,000 to Leland Stanford University

San Francisco, Dec. 10. - Mrs. Jane L. Stanford yesterday transferred to Leland Stanford, Jr., University by deed, bonds, stock and real estate, valued at $30,000,000, the largest single gift ever bestowed on any institution of learning. Of this amount $18,000,000 consisted of gilt-edge bonds and stocks, paying a large revenue. The real estate deeded to the university comprises much of the property originally given by Senator Stanford, but the deeds of which were found to be illegal. The bonds include many securities that have doubled in value within a few years, and the accumulation of these and other stocks since the death of her husband.

The real property deeded includes no less than nine hundred thousand acres in about twelve counties of California, and comprise the great Vina ranch of 52,000 acres. A third deed coveys to the university Mrs. Stanford's home on the summit of Nob Hill, one of the most finely decorated houses in San Francisco, which, with the big lot, is worth $400,000. This will eventually be converted into an art gallery and museum.

Despite these big gifts, Mrs. Stanford has retained property worth several millions, so that she will be able to provide for more charities.

This gift places Stanford in first financial rank among the great universities of the world, and will enable it to carry out many projected plans. Leland Stanford, Jr., University stands to-day as one of the great educational institutions west of the Mississippi. With the University of California, it ranks in efficiency and scope with Michigan, Chicago, Pennsylvania and Cornell universities, and possibly exceed any of them in financial backing. Mrs. Stanford's purpose in turning over $15,000,000 directly to the trustees of the institution, instead of holding the bonds in trust until her death, was probably to avoid any possible will contest.

Lamar, Mo Dec. 19 190 [1 ?] Mrs Leland Stanford San Francisco, Cal. Dear Mrs. StanfordI have thought every since I learned to write that I would sometime write you a letter, but I expect you get so many letters from strangers that you will not even read this I am a little boy twelve years old my name is Leland Stanford Bailey My Papa was an

admirer of your husband and used to read so much about him that is how I happened to be named for him. I always read every word I see in the papers about you, and know you are a good woman for giving so much to the Leland S university, when I am old enough if my papa can afford it I would like to go there to school I go to public school every day that I am well enough, but in winter I am sick so much I cannot be out like most boys.

I have a brother eight years old and a sister five. a papa and mama I just write you this to tell you who I was named for, and I would be so glad to have you answer if its only a line or two that I might keep your letter always. I hope you will not feel hard toward me for writing you this letter. Yours truly Leland Stanford Bailey P.O.Box No 1 Lamar, Mo Barton Co.