Correspondence (incoming): begging letters, M

and am 62 years of age and did earn any thing for a long time. my husband is dead about 18 years already. I am not healthy either. Last winter I was very sick, had the doctor and that cost me quiet [sic] a little. God shall bless you if you help me. I really need help for I am poor.

My address is as follows.

Mrs Agnes Meyer

Elmore PO. Fond du Lac Co Wis.

Allegheny, Pa., Feb 12, 1901.

Mrs Leland Stanford,

Dear Madam,

Recently I have read of your generous gifts and your love of giving. Surely a great reward awaits you for your noble acts in helping so many.

I hope you will pardon this presumption in telling you of another worthy and particularly sad case.

Miss Bell Ackison was a teacher in Irwin Ave 2nd Ward School building, two or three years ago her health failed entirely, since then most of the time she has been sick in bed without means or friends who were able to do much for her. I feel the worry of having no means of support is against her recovery. I learned last week that she is making handkerchiefs to get money to try the massage treatment, yet is on the broad of her back.

If your kind heart finds you can reach out so far and help this poor girl, I will be rejoiced and I know it will gladden her heart and ease her suffering to know that some one helped her. She has no home. Father & mother are dead.

Mr. Clark Farrar

Irwin Ave. School, 2nd Ward, Allegheny, Pa

Mr. Farrar is Principal

of the School in which Miss Ackison taught.

Rev. B. F. Woodburn, Allegheny, Pa.

is her pastor.

I know you must have many requests. I know you can not help all. I wish no one suffered & all had plenty.

Yours very truly,

Mrs. Ada Meloney

368 California, Ave. Allegheny, Pa.

Miss Bell Ackison

45 Alpine Ave. Allegheny, Pa.

Dec. 20. 1901.

Mrs. Jane. L. Stanford. Seeing the announcement of the largest single gift ever bestowed on any Institution has been bestowed by you, thinking you might make a small personal gift to some one. I would feel thankful for any amount let it be ever so small. I don't wish to beg but would feel grateful for a small sum, hopeing [sic] that you will respond to the above wishes. I remain,

Yours Respectively

p.s. If you respond to the above wishes

Address Mrs G A Meek Fallsburg, Licking Co Ohio