Correspondence (incoming): begging letters, Wi-Wo

[lots of errors, will type as written]

Th--ston [sic] Thaxton May the 8 1902

Mrs Stanford Dear friend Seeing your photograph in Comfort and it stating you was a kind harted lady with grate welth which God had givon to you and whar you had givon thousands of dollars in charrity in diffrent ways to surfering humanity I am a poor man with bad helth and a wife and 6 little children to cear for and indestute circumstances livon on a poor mountain but a child of god trying to live prayful and onest in site of all men and god The farther of our lord

[lots of errors, will type as written]

Jeasus Christ and would Precate any little gift you will gave me if you will be so kind to help one of gods Children he will repay in Day of Judgement we are commanded to cast our bread on the waters and we will Find it after meny days if you wish to do a charitable Deed in life this is the best Time blessed ar the Murcifull For tha shall obtain murcy we ar Strangers and far a part but god will bring us to guther in day of Judgement and you will find my letter is a truthfull and onest Letter I will wate your reply with prayers for you trully your

W. B. Wills Thaxton Virginia Bedford Co.

I am in need of help so {much ?} to scool my children and to help in Christon work. I hope you will consider the matter and gave alms I will be so thankfull to you dear friend yours trully

Sister in Christ if you have any doubt to this letter you can write to my postmaster Walter dillard as to my onesty he will give reffrence of me you will find your Photograph in this letter

Dear Lady you will be surprised by recieving [sic] this letter but reading the paper and see your kind name to show what for a kind good hearted lady you are. Oh somebody who does so much for the poor will sure help us. I thought aur Lord did give me this paper in my hand than for months I did not read a paper. Oh my dear dear Lady I come to you as a beggar. Oh you will sure help us through sickness and Dr & drug store etc we are unable to pay aur bills if not somebody help us we loos everything. My husband does not know anything from this letter. he is so heartbroken and I would surprise him to pay his