Correspondence (incoming): begging letters, E

OFFICE OF W. H. BURNETT DEALER IN GENERAL MERCHANDISE. Dumas, Ark. Dec 22 1901

Mrs Jane L Stanford San Francisco Cal

My Dear Madam

Please note the attached you are respectfully ask for a donation for our church, any amt you may give us will be highly appreciated, and thankfully received. send chek [sic] or donation to W. H. Burnett { ? Bldg. ?} Yours Truly J. H. Ellis

Kansas City Mo Dec 10 1901 U S A

Mrs. Jane L. Stanford Kind Lady

I read of your generous gift I hope it will prove a great Pleasure to You and a benefit to poor Humanity and I Pray that Heaven be Yours when you leave this Earthly Sanctuary Kind Lady I am a distant Stranger. may never see you unless in Heaven Will you kindly listen to me a Moment and read this 3 diferent [sic] days before you throw it in the waist- [sic] Basket or Fire

Interrogate me

P.S. have lived here 30 years can give any Refferency {sic] Required

Been Married 33 years Wife and I work hard in Early life raised 4 Children, one Boy only now in Africa. lost one 15 years old - one married & left us. One Daughter at Home with Mother God Bless her we are 57 years Old Each I am Broke down in health My Dear Wife 10 years ago got in the Habit of useing [sic] a Stimulant to brace her up and Drown trouble and has Caused One a world of Trouble and has and does now affect her Mind and my anxiety to Comfort her wants and administer to her & Daughters Necessities of Life. has worried me Several times to almost

now then Our Home worth 5 or 6 Thousand Encumbered for $2,170. I can never pay by common labor while Laboring under such Embarrassing Circumstances Now if you Consider us Favorably you will not only relive [sic] 2 Minds, restore 2 to health and Make Happy 3 persons and Very likely lengthen and Save 2 lives from an Awful Death I dont ask the whole amt but any part Humbly and Thankfully Recd if I had transpotation [sic] could come & see You and prove my Case beyond your Doubt and Sympathy Kindly ansswer [sic]

the point of jump off the Bridge. (now please dont say jump off I dont Care) I then think that is Cruel to leave a good Wife & Daughter to the Mercys [sic] of this Cold World

Now I Can furnish to you Satisfaction letters of Endorsement, that I am Worthy of any assistance I may procure. I know if you helped all the Poor you would have more than you could attend to, but Mine is a Stress of Mind. May be worse

Yours Truly J. F. Elmore 3301 St John ave Kansas City Mo