Correspondence (incoming): begging letters, O

cumstances you will surely pardon me for trying to do something to bring a little happiness to my dear ones to brighten their Christmas just a little bit. Last April my husband wrote to Lord Strathcona, who was once a member of our Cabinet, and knew our circumstances and the dear old gentleman generously helped us along, since then we have never missed a day that we did not say a little extra prayer for him during our daily family prayers, and particularly during his recent serious illness, and , I assure you we will do the same for you. We will take what you send as a loan, and pay you as

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Ottawa August 7th, 1901

To whom it may concern :- This is to certify that Mr. James O'Regan is a respectable citzen [sic] of the City of Ottawa, and a permanent employee of His Majest's [sic] Dominion Government.

(Sgd.) W. D. Morris

Mayor of Ottawa, Ontario.

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PERSONAL

53 Cadogan Square, S.W.

London, S.W.

4th May 1901

Dear Sir,

Your letter of the 18th April I beg to acknowledge. In it you ask me to lend you $250 to enable you to complete your son's education, and, while unable to grant your request to the full extent, it gives me pleasure to hand you herewith my cheque No. 3589 of May 13th on the Bank of Montreal to your order, for $100 (one hundred dollars), which can be refunded when quite convenient for you to give it.

Believe me, with every good wish,

Very truly yours

(sgd.) Strathcona

James O'Regan Esquire.,

Supreme Court, Ottawa.

Hegbert, Swift Co, Minn

Dec. 29, 1901

Mrs. Leland Stanford

San Francisco, Cal.

Dear Madam.

Perhaps this will never reach you, but if it does, I hope you will not treat it with contempt. I have long been an admirer of your many charities especially those in honor of your dear departed son. I have a sweet little boy two years old named Leland after him. We were getting along all right until

the last two years which has ruined many farmers as well as us by the terrible drouth which devastated this country the last two years. We had a nice farm and were in good shape to pay for it but two failures of crops leaves us nothing to pay interest and taxes which amount to $200 and must be paid before Jan. 15th, and as I have not a friend to turn to in this hour of need I thought perhaps you in your kindness of heart for the sake of the ones you loved and of the ones four in number I love would help me to save their home.