Correspondence (incoming): begging letters, C

Dayton, Ohio {Jan or Dec ?} 26 1901

Mrs. Jane L. Stanford Nob Hill, San Francisco Dear Madame!!

I take the liberty to write a few lines to you, hoping it may be the means to make my home happy this coming new year.

I am a Swede, that is I was born in Stockholm, Sweden, but I just the same as good many other boys left my home 1881 for this great country wish [which] I dearly love to go my own way, I am a first class florist and landscaping gardener, but was very sick or have been sick for a year, now I am proud to say that my wife is an American girl, and if it was not for her, we would not have anything to eat, but she keeps

the home going, we have got a little girl 5 years of ages that got also hurt a year ago, and other missfortune [sic], and { ? } an other expense, she is still being treated by Dr. Curtis {Ginn?} one of Daytons finest Doctors My landlord is Chas. A.P. Barrett jobber in Paint and Wallpaper with store at 118 East 3 Street.

Now my dear lady, I kindly ask you to help us out a little if possible, hoping that our God will some day repay you. I am strictly temperate and industrious and would be willing to take any kind of work to provide for my dear family and if it is not so, you can investigate for yourself, now I have got a chance to rent a little farm for my sheep rent when I could raise vegetables and chickens but I have not got the means to start in with, but I am still hoping the

best, whatever you will be willing to do I promise to pay back in the future if you kindly give me time, please do not forget my little girl Florence Thussia, my poor wife she is now in family way and it almost breaks my heart, to see her at the wash-tub.

Please madame! dont take me for a crank. I am a good honest man in distress, and not able to get work before spring. then I will be alright, but as it is, I have not got coal in the house to keep my family warm, and the little my wife earns go to something to eat. ever so little will be welcomed.

Respectfully Yours, George von Carlezon 12 Clover St. Dayton, Ohio

Blueberry Hill P O Nova Scotia, Antigonish Co. Dec 29th 1901 A D

My Dear Mrs Stanford

I trust you will forgive me for writing to such an estimable lady as you under these circumstances. I have read about your magnificent gifts to the University in the papers, what a noble lady you are to think so kindly for others future benefits in education & culture.

Well, Dear Lady, I have five little children, four boys and one little baby girl, the eldest is 9 years the 2nd 7 years, the 3rd 5 years, the 4th 3 1/2 years, the little girl 1 year. They are all so fond of books & pictures, the 2 eldest go to school every fine day a distance of 2 miles. We live among the rocky hills of N. S. have a small farm & make a plain comfortable living, but I never have money to get my little ones books, and we all lead a very lonely life here especially in winter. I am trying to get the boys around me help get up a "Library", and I will take charge of the same, lending them out once a week, and in this way meeting with each other in a sort of literary way, for young boys good I would have every success if I had only a little money to get books, {also ?} papers & helps. I have plenty of room to meet them in my own home.

Now Dear Mrs Stanford - will you kindly help me with a contribution towards the step I have begun; we can do nothing without money, and this is the first time I ever solicited aid from wealthy people. There are mothers around me who have no education themselves, & who are so anxious to have their boys get chance but as they have not clothing to appear among the better class, I resolved upon this plan, by meeting them at my own home.

I know I can make it a success if I get a little help in this direction.

I know there are many demands upon you - but I will hope you will not overlook mine leaving it to your kind consideration

I remain yours Respectfully Mrs Robert S. Cameron

P.S. Should you choose to favor me, a Cheque on the Halifax Bank, or P.O. Order will be received with much gratitude

I should like very much to choose your name for my baby girl if not objectionable, she is such a clever cunning little girl, we have no licensed minister at present, so she is not christened yet. Yours Respectfully Mrs R.S.C.