Correspondence regarding John T. Cooper (first recipient of Leland Stanford Jr. Memorial Scholarship), 1900 Feb-Jun

Arcade Depot, Los Angeles, Cal. May 26th, 1900.

My dear Mrs Stanford:

I received your several letters and enclosures and would have thanked you for the interest taken, some time ago, but wanted to await further developments....I see by the morning TIMES that Johns name will not go before the State Committee, although his teachers say that his papers were fine. I rather think political influence was the cause of many worthy efforts being thrown aside before they reached the State Committee...We have done what we could however and I hope you will not think John was not worthy. It is a disappointment of course not to have the papers go before Dr. Jordan but we must abide by it.

After school I hope to send John to work on the Elwood extension so that he can earn something to help him through next term, after which we will again talk to Dr. Jordan about his going to the University.

Thanking you very much, I will bid you adieu.

Very respectfully, [J. T. Cooper.?]

Mrs. Leland Stanford, Cor. California and Powell Sts., San Francisco, Cal.

SAN FRANCISCO. CAL., June 9th., 1900

Mr. Mountford Wilson San Francisco, California.

Dear Sr:-

I wish the following incorporated in the scholarship paper. which I wish drawn up. completed and ready for me by next Tuesday.

This scholarship originated in my mind as a fitting and sacred disposal of my dear son's little sum, which he had deposited with the Security Savings Bank, San Francisco. and in accordance with his expressed wish to his father only a few hours before he passed away from this life, which was to this effect- "Live for humanity's sake; live to feed the hungry, clothe the naked." His father concluded that the best way to do this, was to educate the sons and daughters of the very poor, who otherwise would not be educated, and thus to furnish the means whereby they might be enabled to feed and clothe themselves.

The first deposit of my dear son was made February 6th., 1877, at the age of eight years and nine months. This was $50.00 given by his father on New Year's Day , and another $50.00 given by myself on the same day, and after than deposits were made of from $12.00, down to as little as $1.50. He was in the habit of doing little errands and chores. He was a great lover of dogs, and had several, and these dogs were fond of bones, and scattered them around the place. His father obliged him to pick up these bones, and to repair whatever damage the dogs

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did about the grounds, for which he was paid at the rate of twenty-five cents an hour, and for any other work that he might do he was paid at the same rate By this means his father wished to teach him the worth of money, and the advantage of earning money. This Leland kept up at our various homes until the year 1883, when we left California for Europe. His father was also in the habit of allowing him Ten Dollars per month for little necessaries, such as pencils, paper, and any books he might desire to read. He had also taught him to keep a little memorandum-book, and whenever he spent any money, even if only five cents, he was in the habit of putting it down in this little book, according to his father's wishes. This little book we have ever held as sacred. And from this $10.00 per month spending money, we found, after he had gone away, that whatever was left over at the end of each month, he put into the bank. From his little bank-book, we learned, uypon examining it after he had passed from this earth life in 1884, he had to his credit in the bank $1,145.79. This money and little bankbook. I have kept in the Security Savings bank up to the present time; and now that I am about to go away, I thought something should be done with this cost sacred of all that has fallen to my possession. This money now amounts to $2,236.52, and upon thinking it over seriously, trying to decide what was wisest and best to do with so sacred a trust. I conclude to add to it sufficient money to endow a free scholarship, the interest of which would pay for the clothing, board and necessities of a student at Stanford University, who could not otherwise receive an eduation there. This scholarship will last as long as the University

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lives.

I have selected a choice room at "Encina hall", and have called it "The Leland Stanford Junior Memorial Scholarship Room". This is the work of my precious son, as I am endeavoring to carry out his wishes expressed to his father and I, that would have come to him had he lived might be given to the poor children of humanity.

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My reason for desiring this incorporated in the gift, is that all boys who may receive the benefits afforded by this free scholarship may know that it is own dear son who is affording the means, and I am sure it will make a better boy of each successive student who is appointed to this scholarship: and I am also sure that my dear son will be happier, even in Paradise, to know that his little savings, and the money which he earned and saved in his short life will forever do good to some poor boy who otherwise never could have the advantages that would have been his had he lived.

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I am very anxious indeed to get this matter settled up. It seems to me that everything seems to hang on a little excuse for not being done; and this must be finished and in the bank and settled entirely by next Wednesday, or I shall feel discouraged.

Very truly yours,

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.

June 7th., 1900

My dear brother:-

Enclosed I hand you further correspondence in regards to young Master Jogn [sic] H. Cooper, of Los Angeles, California, whom I am very desirous shall be appointed to the free scholarship at Stanford University for the next Semester. I intend to ask Prof. Clark, Dr. Jordan's Secretary, for all of the correspondence that has passed between myself and Mr. Cooper, John Cooper's father, so that you may read all the letters from the beginning to the end, and I am sure that you will be very much interested, and will then understand fully how this appointment has been brought about.

I think you should see Prof. Clark or Prof Elliott, whoever is the one to examine the students for the next Semester, and give him special instructions regarding young Master Cooper: and if there is any favoritism possible, it must be shown to him on my account. I know that you will attend to this for me.

Affectionately your sister,

Jane. L. Stanford.