Correspondence (incoming): begging letters, K

broken. I have only one child a Son seventeen he is a smart Boy and wants a College educa[tion] but my means are sma[ll] and cannot give him one. My health is not good and I have to plan very close to get along, and I have my Husba[nd's] aged Mother to take c[are] off [sic]. I have no other relat[ives] I have mourned myself most to death for my my dear Husband. He was only 45 years old, and a kind and good man. Could you send me some money to

educate my Son, and buy us a home. I have {to sent ?}, and I wish I could buy me a home. You have so much. could you not spare me a few thousand I think I need it. I remain your faithful friend.

Direct to Mrs. Lizzie Bartlett Kenyon 74 Washington St. Claremont Neb

P.S. If you send any, our bank is Claremont National Bank

Dec 10 1901

Mrs Stanford

You will excuse this from a stranger, but as I have just read of your splendid gift to the Stanford University, I know you must be a splendid woman, and God will bless you. I have little or none of the worlds goods myself, but when those who have

money use it so nobly and charitably, it will be a splendid monument to their name.

Hoping you will pardon me for the liberty in writing.

I remain Respectfully Mrs A Kennard

1309 Michigan Ave. Kansas City, Mo.

Akron, Ohio Dec. 11th, 1901

Mrs. Jane L. Stanford: San Francisco, Cal.

My Dear Mrs. Stanford,

As I have read so much of your kindness and christian spirit, and your willingness to assist those who wish to make the best of their possibilities in life, I thought I would write you, thinking possibly that sometime you might wish to assist a worthy young woman, who has been unfortunate in this world, yet struggling to make the best of her opportunities as far as her health will allow.

As I have said, I have made the best of my possibilities, but during a seige of severe illness, undergoing two serious operations from a fall, was almost an invalid for five years, my mother in the mean time being a widow and losing all that we had, and I simply had to wait until I could get well or strong enough again to earn my daily bread and also assist in the care of my mother, which I can assure you is a very hard struggle for one who is not strong (as I had two of the most serious abdominal operations that was ever performed in the hospital.

My profession is that of a stenographer, and I have opened up an office of my own, as I am not able to take a general office position, but of course, it is pretty hard to get a start, and as I am anxious at some time in the future to get enough to get a Remington typewriter of my own. I wish to work hard, that is as far as my strength will allow. I get very discouraged sometimes, but trust in a higher being that something better is in store for me.

Dr. W.C. Jacobs, President of the hospital here and also our minister Rev. Dr. Pratt of the first methodist church has been very kind to me. Trusting that you may have the greatest blessings