Correspondence (incoming): begging letters, Sl-Sw

[typing this mostly as written]

200 Ash St Detroit Mich Jan 2 1902

Mrs. Jane L Stanford,

Dear Mrs. Stanford have read in the paper about you giving money and would like if you would help me a little. My Husband was in the {picture business ?} a year ago and got burned out and lost everything and has never ben able to start up again and I have ben wanting to get some cloths and { ?} for my baby and self. and ant got the money to do anything with my Husband dont no I wrote and wouldn't like him to no unless I had

Yours truly Mrs {Rebyca Mc Suckcess ?} Detroit Mich

Fort Dodge Iowa Dec. 19th 1901

Mrs Leland Stanford San Francisco Cal

Dear friend, I hope you will excuse me for the liberty I am taking. I have herd [sic] of you so many times being a rich kindhearted lady. I do wish I could see you and talk with you and tell you my past life and the hard strugles [sic] I have had I have ben [sic] poor all my life and yet very saveing [sic] . I allways thought I could get a home but my Husband could get work only half the time. he is a horse trainer and a good man and will always work if he can get it.

I wish you would be so kind as to help me a little. please answer this and I will refer you to the leading men of the town I have lived in for 21 years. they will tell you I am an {honest?} woman I moved here 3 months {age, ago ?} I am a stranger here. we are old. My Husband is working for small wages and we have no other encome [sic]. and house rent is high here. I wish I could buy a little home. now I will tell you the truth you are the only person I ever asked for help. I hope and pray to the lord you will feel for me. please be kind enough to keep this letter confidential

I hope this will enter your heart. you may think I am asking to [sic]much of you as I am a stranger to you. but please excuse me for all this. I hope you will not be ofended [sic]. now if you will think this over and feel like sending me a little money. write to me first and I will prove myself a good onest [sic] woman by sending you Names of reliable people.

Yours Respectfully

Mrs Kate Sullivan Fort Dodge Iowa 2d ave N 1806

Women. I want to bring a little matter before you. I had intended seeing Mr Stanford about but failed to do so. Gen Sullivan was {treasurer?} of the Copperopolis Road and surrendered the papers under the express stipulation of twenty five hundred dollars being paid back to me. This money was used to pay hands in actual construction of the road, in order to have extension of land grant, and was my own money, this was never paid. I have nothing but my pension and of course in law can do nothing. I felt if it was properly brought to Mr Stanfords notice, he might help me in this matter. Judge Thornton of San Francisco and I think Gen D. Nagle will remember. I long for a little home of my own, and that

money would buy it for me, or even land to that amt in this vicinity. My daughter is a musician, and soprano at St Francis de Sales. I think you know Father McSweeney. I will show him the contract in Gen Sullivans' hand writing and signed by him, will enclose you a copy, if you will take the matter under advisement. I simply know the fact that my money was used, and never a cent of it paid back to me. I have been told that ten millions was made off that road.

Again assuring you of our sympathy in your sorrow I am Very Sincerely Yrs Mrs Gen Sullivan 616 15th St Oakland Cala