Correspondence (incoming): begging letters, T

[newspaper clipping] Mrs. Stanford's Gift

([Special] Dispatch to the Morning Herald)

San Francisco, Cala., Dec. 9. - Today Mrs. Jane L. Stanford, transferred to Stanford University by deed bonds, stocks and real estate valued at $30,000,000, the largest single gift ever bestowed on any institution of learning. Of this amount half consists of gilt edge bonds and stocks paying a large revenue. The real estate deeded to the university comprises much of the property originally given by Senator Stanford, but the deeds of which were found to be illegal.

The bonds included many securities that have doubled in value within a few years, and the accumulation of these and other stocks since the death of her husband. The real property deeded includes no less than 900,000 acres in about 12 counties of California, and comprises the great Vina ranch of 52,000 acres.

A third deed conveys to the university Mrs. Stanford's [house at the[ summit of Nob Hill one of the most beautifully decorated houses in San Francisco, which, with the big lot, is worth $400,000. [newspaper clipping end]

Spartanburg S. C. 77 Forest St. Mrs Jane L. Stanford:- Dec 12th 1901

Dear Madam:-

A lady gave me some old magazines to read the other day and I saw your name in one of them so I write to ask if you wont be so kind as to let me do some work for you. The kind of work I do I cant not get sales for it here as the people do their own work and them that cant do it are too poor to buy. My husband has been sick for two years with rhumatism and is hardly ever able to do any work and we have 2 little boys to raise and I do all the work I can get so as to keep the boys at school but times are so hard here this winter. I am afraid I will have to take them from school because I cant get cloths for them to wear and feed them as I cant get work to do. I embroidery sofa pillows tops on satin and

and embroidery hat bands or marks for gentlemen on fine satin ribbon - that is I work the initial letters on the hat marks and furnish all materials at 50 cts each and I will embroidery and finish up a sofa pillow complete for $5.00 and I do all kinds of fine hemstitching on linen. I hemstitch linen ruffles by the yard and I also hemstitch scarfs and handkercheifs and I make servants fine white aprons. I have do this kind of work for several very rich ladies in New York and Chicago for the past 2 years and they are always well pleased with my work but for the past month I have had no work at all and we are in great need this cold weather and we are oblige to pay our house rent if we go without warm cloths. I do not ask you to pay me in advance for any of my work. I will do the work and send it to you and then if you are pleased you can send me

the pay and if you think I charge too much why I am willing to take what you think my work is worth after the materials is paid for. My health is not good and I am not able to do any other kind of work and you dont know how thankful I would be to you if you will only help me by sending me an order for some work. I will send you the address of a lady that has given me work off and on for 5 years and I done some work for her about 5 weeks ago. She is Mrs. G. F. Swift. "4848 Ellis Avenue Chicago. Ill. Hoping and praying that I will hear from you soon and may God bless and keep you & yours. I am yours most greatful. Mary F. Tinsley. Mrs E. P. Tinsley.

Dallas, Texas. Mar. 2nd, 1901.

Mrs. Leland Stanford, c/o Stanford University, Oakland, Cala.

Dear Madam:-

Knowing that you are devoting much of your time to educating and uplifting women, I humbly ask your advice or suggestions as to what course I should pursue to rise above ignorance and poverty and make myself a more useful and intellectual and more prosperous woman -- I mean to thoroughly prepare myself for some good station in life where I could be a help and inspiration to those with whom I came in contact.

I can never be satisfied to grope along in darkness and await death without having accomplished something.

I was born and raised on the farm. My parents were very poor. I worked in the field regularly. Having lived in Texas, of course, my school days were mostly spent in the cotton field. I attended our little country schools as much as I could, but have done most of my studying at night.

When I was 18 years of age, I attended a business college and worked for my board and tuition while there (which was but a short time) and learned short hand and type-writing, since which time I have been working regularly as a stenographer. I have no one to contribute one cent to my support, and while I have gotten as good a salary as is paid to women in that profession here, I have had my board, laundry, sewing and clothes to pay for, and have been able to save but little money. I work day after day in the same channel. I feel that my life is being wasted; I am doing no one good, nor am I making any progress.

I am glad to be able to work; work is a pleasure to me, but I want to rise higher; I want to be in position to do some good, and I feel sure that a kind letter from you would be of much assistance and encouragement to me. as I have not the advantage of the society of such philanthropic women as yourself I trust you will bear with this letter and let me have a kind reply at your convenience.

Apologizing for the above, and wishing you a long continuation of the success and noble work, I am,

Sincerely yours,

Lenore A. Pipkin #122 Mastin St. Dallas Tex