Correspondence (incoming): begging letters, C

Lancaster Pa 2nd 8th 1901

Mrs Jane Stanford.

My Dear Mrs Stanford.

I have been reading a great deal about you in the Ladies Home Journal and concluded to write to you and state my condition. From overwork and the care of a large family my health gave way and I was laid upon a bed of sickness for many months, nervous frustration followed and I cannot tell you what I have suffered. My children waited on me the best they knew and the physicians here were very kind to me and did all the could for me. I have recovered so far as to be able to sit out during the summer for which I am very thankful but the cold winter weather is very much against me and I suffer from it a great deal and dear Mrs Stanford if I were only in a warmer climate I think my health would improve. I am so anxious to get well for my dear children's sake. I have six children who need a mother's love and care I would love to go to California for I know the warm climate would help me to get well but I have not the means. Oh I would be so happy to know that I could go. I sit here in my

room all alone most of the time longing for the warm sunny days of summer to come but the winters are so long.

Oh how thankful and happy those who are well and strong ought to be, and when I think of how much I could do if I were strong and there is so much for me to do, but alas I am helpless to do it. Dear Mrs Stanford could you help me I would do anything I could to repay you and you would have the warmest love and gratitude a mothers heart could give and my dear children how happy they would be.

The oldest and most prominent physicians here and any one who knows me will testify to the truth of this also the Pastor of the church of which I am a member. Some days I can sew or crochet a little and then at others I read. I have written hymns for publication but am not able at present, even being at home is not the place for one as there is always a sense of a burden resting on me. Physicians here told me that I ought to go away. I have recently heard of a Sanitarium where nervous diseases are treated I do not know where but could find out. If I could only go there or any place to get well or at least better so that I could not suffer so much

Dear Mrs Stanford could you advise me or help me in any way. I cannot tell you how very grateful I would be to you and how happy I would feel. I have seen better days but were it not for my ill health I could still be happy with my dear children who are so kind to me doing all the housekeeping and waiting on me the best they know. I am sorry to trouble you but indeed I do hope you will forgive me as I hardly know what to do. I am so nervous I am not able to write. Will you please write to me I would be so happy to receive a letter from you. Please do not think unkindly of me.

Very Respectfully

Please address Mrs Sarah Dale

Lancaster

Pennsylvania

East End

c/o Mrs. G. R. Sutton

P.S. I live in the outskirts the houses are not numbered, mail is not carried

Cross Harris Dane Co. Wisconsin

December 30, 1901.

Mrs. Jane L. Stanford:

Dear Madam. I have read already so much about your donations, to Colages & Schools, and recently you donated $10,000,000 again to the Columbian Collage at Washington wich your Husband founded. Now I would ask you, and to do a good thing for a young lad, I am living here and have Eight Children, and the oldest is a boy about two year older then your Son would be, he is now about 18 years old he always wanted to learn and study very badly now as our place is a smal country place, I done all I could, he went through our District Country School and after that I send him to the City of Madison into the High School, and now he is there in his 4th year, last year, but I am not able to send him through Colage, as it cost to much Money, wich I have not got, now Mrs Stanford I do not want to praise the Boy, but he is a nice, good, in every way, and willfull fellow, well build is now 5 feet 11 inches tall, and is one of the best of Character, always willing, and he would like to study Jurisprudence, now if you would like to do a good act, you might give this lad a good education, wich would be I should think as good as if you would give the money to some good institutions, and I know that he would thank you for it and never forget you he never

touches Tobacco, nor Liquor, attends church regularly, and I would say, that if you would help him, to get an education, you would not have to send him or me any money, only make the preparations with Collage you wish to send him to, and he is willing to pay back your money wich [sic]you stipend, to you, in years, or as soon as he is able to earn, of course he will be through School in Madison this Summer in June and I am a poor man with a large Familie [sic] and can not pay his Board and Intuation [sic] & Cloths, so if he gets no help he will have to go to work, but as he is such a modest and good in every way young fellow, and is all for studeing and learning it is to bad to have him quitt [sic]the Schools, I would like to say one word more, if you should doubt my words, and would be willing to do something for him, you might let him come to you to St Francisco, so you would get aquainted with him, and have him attend their a Busemiss [sic]College for a year and then you could see him and get thoroughly to know him, I know and fully convinced that you will pleased with him and satisfied that the Money you will spend on him is not lost, If you will please give him a tryal [sic] and if he should not be as stated and give satisfection you could send him home in the year.

Hoping to here from you and hoping favorable, I am Yours Truly,

H. J. Dahmen