Correspondence (incoming): begging letters, P - Q

Clio, N. C. Feb. 4th, 1902.

Mrs. Leland Stanford,

San Francisco, Cal.

Dear Mrs. Stanford:

Some days ago I saw your picture and read in "Comfort" that you were one of America's most generous philanthropist, read of the magnificent contribution you had given in the aid of education, and my mind has been turned on you ever since. I've been wondering if you would help me — a poor girl 27 years of age. I suppose it is useless to say that I have seen much trouble, for one of my years, but God has given me strength to endure. Still my trouble for the past 2 months has been very great, yet

my primary trouble may seem small to one of your ability and standing. I suppose it really would seem very small to you.

I shall try to give a brief history of my self and surroundings, in my incorrect and broken manner. I am truly glad to say that I am descended from good families and am of good parentage; though poor. My mothers ancestors were among the best of people who helped to settle this country years ago. My parents are both living. Father is 71 years old and Mother is 61 years old. They own a farm and have always made a plenty to eat and some to spare for other supplies. Yet they have never done but little in the way of educating their children — there being 4 in number and all wanted an education.

except the oldest son. My younger brother has managed to work his way and get to school some, and has helped my only sister, who is younger than I. She is now teaching her first district school, and though she has not yet acquired the education she so much wants, of course she can be self supporting from now on, although she cannot make enough this year to pay up, for her board and tuition the past year, though she was just as saving as she could be, while at school in the little village. She boarded with a private family and did her own washing and ironing on Saturdays to save expense.

And now my brother has gone to W. Va. to dig in the coal-

mine, and battle his way for the future, hoping to make money enough so he can read medicine, or learn some good profession.

I am somewhat frail, have never had good health since I came into womanhood. I have always wanted to go to school and get to the place where I could make something for myself and better my condition. But I have never gone to school away from home a day in my life. I [mean?] that I never went to any except to our home school here, and was then sometimes deprived of going on account of sickness or having to stay at home to assist in work, hoping that a better day would come. And I suppose you could not imagine what our school was in comparison with the

schools which you are acquainted with. A many a time I have cried to go to school. Why it was that father did not send me to school is just the same reason why a many another man has not sent his child to school, for I do think father could have sent me when I was 18 or 21 years old. But I suppose a parent with out an education cannot realize the fate of their children nowadays without an education. Neither do I think that an education all consists of book learning.

Well, being somewhat naturally a seamstress, my next ambition was to learn some good system in cutting and fitting and so become a dress