Correspondence (incoming): Lathrop, Charles, 1902 May- Sep

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The Carnival on Lake Lagunita below my house I understand was quite a success both socially and financially. The edges of the lake were very prettily decorated with lanterns and the boys had a number of bon fires here and there on the lake. It was a very chilly night and the wind blew very cold and we did not stay outdoors long to see the winding up of their water entertainment.

You might say to Miss Berner that I meet her brother most every morning and evening going to Palo Alto and returning. I have also twice seen her mother and brother together out driving.

You will find enclosed 2 letters that were returned from Honolulu they having reached there after your departure for Japan.

Your affectionate brother

[signed] Chas G. Lathrop

OFFICE OF

JANE L. STANFORD

AND

LELAND STANFORD JR. UNIVERSITY

819 MARKET STREET

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.

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and likes to be accommodating but some of the faculty I am afraid will get him into trouble by taking his time from the duties for which he was engaged.

The weather here for the last 2 or 3 days has been very pleasant and I think, from appearances, we will get no more rain until Fall. I intend to remain at Palo Alto to-morrow (Saturday) and will make it my business to visit the home grounds, also the different buildings and the Stock Farm, to see what has been going on since I remained home on Saturday last.

I am in hopes that you will enjoy your visit in Japan as I have been told by people who have been there that there are many places of interest, and the mode of living is very interesting.

I am pleased to say at present we are all enjoying good health and I hope on receipt of this it will find you and party enjoying the same.

With love, I remain

Your affectionate brother

[signed] Chas G. Lathrop

OFFICE OF

JANE L. STANFORD

AND

LELAND STANFORD JR. UNIVERSITY

819 MARKET STREET

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.

San Francisco, May 16, 1902

Dear Sister

As the Steamer "Peru" leaves this Port for Yokohama to-morrow and should arrive there on June 6th, five days before the Steamer "China" leaves there for this Port, I thought it would please you if I would dictate a few lines. Since last I wrote you, we have had quite a rain storm amounting to almost an inch of rain, which is considered quite heavy for this time of the year. It has been of advantage to the late sowed grain at Palo Alto and gives good promise for a large crop, but of course it has been to a disadvantage to other parts of the State.

I am pleased to say that work in the Memorial Church is now about completed and I have been informed that on Monday morning (if they have not already commenced) the contractors are going to place the pews in the main body of the Church. Mr. McGilvray is all through carving and the last work completed was at the base of the lecturn and also the pulpit as you wished to have done. I found out who really was the direct cause of the information going out that the Church would be closed until your return and as usual it was Mr. Hodges, who had to do a good deal of talking. He thought it ought to be closed as you did not wish people to be in the Church while they were setting the pews. I told him he was mistaken as you did not expect rough or disorderly people to visit the Church or destroy anything while a watchman was in charge and furthermore did not think anybody would show disrepect for an edifice of this kind, but he has funny views.

The water carnival was postponed from Tuesday until today on account of the rains. The same will take place this afternoon and evening on Lake Lagunita, below my house.

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I met Mr. Morrison this morning at a Meeting of the Bay District Land Co. who had returned with his wife from the Hawaiian Islands yesterday. He informed me that he had the pleasure of meeting you and that you were feeling very much rested and you were about to depart for Japan. Mr. Morrison is the attorney for the Crocker people. I am afraid that Dr. Jordan is going to have considerable trouble in dispensing with the services of Prof. Pease and I for one am sorry, but Dr. Jordan is now trying to excuse himself in a way that shows to me that he is weak. I was indirectly informed that he had sent Mr. Clark his secretary, to Prof. Pease to tell him he would give him his Sabbathical Year, on full pay, as he (Prof. Pease) had not been away from the University for 11 years. I am also told that Prof. Pease has been east visiting the different Colleges and he is liable, when asked for his resignation by Dr. Jordan to fly into the newspaper offices, and try in every way to humiliate Dr. Jordan. All this comes from Dr. Jordan not being firm, but as I wrote you before he does not give the institution the proper time and attention it should have. He is away so much looking for public admiration that he neglects, I am afraid, his duties at the University, and in consequence the Professors do just as they please. I am in hopes that whatever does take place that your name will not be dragged into it, as you have kept away from it, and there is no reason why you should be misjudged in this Pease matter.

I enclose herewith a letter from Thos Welton Stanford of Australia addressed to yourself, also a copy of a letter received from Chauncey Murch, of Luxor, Egypt. The original I am holding in this office. You will note there is attached to Mr. Murch's letter a bill of $69.83. On arrival of the goods I will pay the same, as I suppose it is all right. The proper applications will probably have to be made in order to have the goods come in duty free, and placed in the Museum.

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I know of nothing at present that would be of interest to write you. I wish to inform you however, that I have signed the contracts in your name for the addition to my house as instructed and the lowest bidder was a Mr. Thompson, his figure being $11,500. Mr. Thompson is a brother in law of Mr. McGilvray. The highest bid was over $13,000. Previous to letting out the contracts, the excavation was made for the cellar, so the work now can be commenced immediately. The time limit to complete the work is September 1st, 1902.

I am pleased to inform you that we are all quite well here and I hope on receipt of this communication it will find you and party enjoying the same.

If you are enjoying your visit, why not remain longer, providing you are well.

Your affectionate brother

[signed] Chas G. Lathrop

P.S. Also enclose letter received from a party in New Zealand. I think this is one of them fake letters and I might suggest your sending same to Mr. Thomas Welton Stanford, and he would probably be able to find out something regarding same.

Saturday, May 17th, 1902

Dear Sister:

I was obliged to come to town this morning to affix my signature as representing yourself and the University, to contracts for putting in tables, etc. etc. in the new Chemical Dept. I hope this building will be ready for occupancy in September next, although I am a little doubtful, but I am urging Mr. Day to do his utmost so there will be no delay.