Correspondence (incoming): begging letters, H

been in the courts for five years and I never havd had one cent yet, and doubtful if I ever shall. I have worked hard trying to get money to carry on the law-suit and that cost lots of money, but my working days are over, and I have got to go home with my people which are very poor and quite old. I have been sick for 6 weeks not able to do anything my health is very poor worked to [sic] hard when young. I am now thirty and am 5 feet 6 in high weigh 107 lb, now if you ever did a charitable deed do please help me. that is what I have always said if I was rich I would make some poor girls happy. and if you do not believe my story I will give referances. from you true friend Mrs Lena Hunt 41 Clinton St Seneca Falls, New York

PALACE HOTEL SAN FRANCISCO, CAL aUG 19 189 [?] Mrs Stanford Dear Lady You must please excuse me for troubling you at this time so soon after your bereavement but my circumstances are in such an unpleasant condition at the present time that I am obliged to call your attention Dear Lady to a

little matter of Business my Husband had in connection with your Late Husband Senator Stanford Mr Humphrey told me to write to you and tell you to ask your Brother Mr Lathrop there was a little business transaction bet my Husband Capt Geo Humphrey a General Collector and formerly a Deputy Sheriff here your Brother will Explain to you as I am not familiar with the details there is a little bill of one Hundred dollars due my Husband from the Late lamented Senator Stanford and I would not bother you in regard to it if I were

not in such great distress & trouble my Husband is not able at present nor will he ever be again the Physician say to earn enough to keep us even ever so humble and I have 5 Children to support clothe and educat[e] Dear Lady if yourself and Brother could arrange it so as to send me at least a portion of it I must do something to help along I have three bright little ones who are yet too young

to help themselves and times are so hard and my Husband is I may as well say dying with the Asthma I want to get a small Lodging House 10 rooms 40 rent in advance & then I will be obliged to Furnish it on the Instalment plan 25 dollars down for 100 one Hundred dollars worth of Furniture Then 10 dollars a month till paid for after awhile Dear Lady so I hope for my little Childrens sake you have the reputation of being a very Charitable