Correspondence (incoming): begging letters, K

Stillwater, Oklahoma Dec 14, 1901

San Francisco California Mrs. Jane L. Stanford Dear Mrs Stanford.

I saw in the paper that you are worth so much, so I thought I would write to you and ask you for help as I am a poor woman and have five childen and nothing for them. Only once and a while a days work and you know how hard a way that is to make a living for five children and no home for them. any thing you are amind to give in the way of clothes are any thing to help us

along I will be satisfied. You will only be doing a charitable deed, if you would help.

I will never tell anyone unless you would want to make it public. I trust in God you wont think me unkind by asking you to help me. If you knew how poor and destitute I am. I have no one to ask help from that is the reason I ask you. If you wont help me. "Please" write and tell me so, so I wont be expecting it of you.

My address is.

Mrs. Mary Knechler. Stillwater Okla. {Ty. ?}

Haywards Cali July 15, 93

Mrs Stanford: Dear Madame:

I hope you will pardon the liberty I take in addressing you so soon after your recent bereavment. I have always heard of your goodness and generosity, and one day in San Francisco witnessed your grief at the Children's Hospital to a boy, who resembled your dear dead son. I am a young lady twenty five years of age

some way, for I am so discouraged with poor health. if I only had my health there are so many things I could do (You understand we are not destitute but it is hard upon my Mother, and I must do something to help her, as she is well along in years.

Hoping I haven't trespassed upon your time to [sic] long.

I remain Very truly Yours Erma Hayes Kurr Haywards Cali

-aned have never been very strong, and the last two years have had so much trouble with my back, and it has taken every penny I had for doctor bills, and as yet, am no better. My Mother and I try to gain our living in an honest way, she has had to take in washing for a number of years my father being dead. I tell you all these things so you will see how we are situated. I do not ask for charity, but I do ask you if you could in

some way find me slight employment such as a { ? man} or something that would be a sitting position for I am not able to stand on my feet.

We have no relations or any one to which I could apply, for references. I here give you names of two reliable men that have known me from childhood, namely Mr Geo Baxter and Mr David Smalley both of this town. I do hope dear Madam you will help me in

and have never been very strong, and s