Correspondence (incoming): begging letters, M

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Miss Laura McKinstry became interested in the work and collected sufficient money to make a beginning. Miss L. A. Craighan, a certificated graduate at the Training School of the City and County Hospital, volunteered to take charge. The stipend paid barely suffices for living expenses; but Miss Craighan has consecrated her life to this most necessary work among the poor and requires no more than is sufficient to carry on the work. The task of collecting subscriptions having become difficult, Miss McKinstry has retired from the undertaking, having given Miss Craighan sufficient to keep the charity going for several months. The task of collecting sufficient means now devolves on Miss Craighan herself. She has formed the nucleus of a band of monthly subscribers. It will take seventy-five dollars a month to keep the work with one nurse in a state of efficiency; but there is need for two and three and even more nurses in this great City. Miss Craighan's address is 33 Welsh street, and the telephone number, Red 4538. The claims of this great charity are brought before the Catholic people and the Catholic societies of San Francisco in the hope that they may see their way to lend a helping hand. Our Lord Himself it is that promises the reward to those who fulfill His saying: "I was sick, and ye visited me."

If Charities Were Pooled

Old-age pensions are advocated [in] various parts of the world. We have sometimes wondered what the result would be if in the United States all benefits and all charities were pooled and distributed to all men and women past 65 years of age, says the Washington Times. There certainly would be enough to give everyone a considerable retiring allowance. Suppose $140,000,000 given to soldiers and their dependants, all the money expended in homes of many kinds for aged people, and all other allowances made by individuals, corporations or charitable societies were evenly distributed, would there not be enough to keep every man and woman from suffering? If such a geenral [sic] distribution were made to all persons of the requisite age, there would be no unpleasant distinction between giver and recipient.

The old-age pension means simply a trust or combination in charities, and is one of the things which is almost certain to come, because it will have money and add something to the dignity and comfort of human life.

1901

Darlington Wisconsin Dec 15th

Mrs Stanford San Francisco. Cal.

Dear Madam I see in St Paul paper your Large Gift to university and just thought I wood [sic] say in reply how you could make one poor but honest man & family happy for a few Hundred Dollars not millions as I am soon to lose my little Home if the mortgage is not paid I will say to you rather then [sic] let the wolves here have it I will make a Deed of it to you and you send me a Bond of a Deed or land contract so if I pay the amount you send in say 3 years at 7 percent I will have the place back if not it will be yours without any expenses in law the little Home is probly [sic] worth $1,500 one thousand five Hundred at least. Our

Interest paid up in full up to Sept 21st 1901 now Mrs Stanford you may think it Strange me a Stranger away in Wis sending such a letter but I will do as I say and if I could see you and explain my situation you would give the small amount I said it wood [sic] be like a thousand to some I am only 51 years old was in the civol [sic] war only 14 years old and havent been very strong since I got a little pension $8.00 per month I wont state the amount I really need but could weather storms nicley [sic] with $300.00 or $500.00 Three or five Hundred at 7 percent, send any papers you wish with Draft or we will fix them and send to you fist [sic] as I am not afraid House & 2 lotts [sic] if you think well of this answer at once. Respt J.B. Martin

Hoping you will & good will bless you Box 375 Yours respt

Elmore Wis.

Dec 17 1901.

Dear Madam:-

I saw in the paper that you are so good and help the poor, so I thought I would tell you about me. I am an old widow have nobody to care for me. I used to go out and wash for others, but now I can not do any thing any more. have a cribbled [sic] hand