Correspondence (incoming): begging letters, Wa-Wi

in a better land where we shall know each other and when god will reward us for all good things that we do hear [sic] on earth inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the last of these my Brethern ye have done it unto me if you feel like doing anything for me it will be gratefuly received if not my prayers will go up for your souls welfare just the same. I have been praying for over 30 years and will always go to god in prayer for

all humanity and I expect one day the lord will answer my prayer

respectfully yours

Mrs Elizabeth Walsh Gardner New Mexico

I await your reply

We are most desirous of obtaining a child well brought up, by well bred parents or guardian, in short accustomed from birth to refined association & coming of parents accustomed to the same, to mould untutored clay I think it necessary to begin in infancy. -------We should like a boy aged eight to nine years, of English or German parentage preferably. American children of the present day are seldom childish after passing the age I have mentioned.

We have two places here, a cottage by the shore where we pass the summer & a ranch on the mountain, three miles distant where we live in winter.

I am a brother to Col. Geo. E.

Waring Jr. the Sanitary Engineer & writer of Newport R. I. & Mrs. Waring is a sister to Mr. John W. Vernon who has been for nearly thirty years cashier of the Merchant National Bank of Providence R. I.

Your kindly assistance in this matter will greatly favor Yours Sincerely & Respectfully James Waring

[Have no boy to recommend J.L.S.]

Montecito Santa Barbara Co Sept. 13/93

Mrs. Leland Stanford Palo Alto

Dear Madame

I take the liberty of writing to you again in the hope of obtaining a boy for adoption. Some four years ago you tried to aid us in securing a German boy, Ariel von der Zwief. We were sorry to lose him. Perhaps you may now know of a desirable child for us, through some one of the society you {you} so benevolently aid.

Gettysburg S.D. Dec 27/01

Mrs Jane S. {sic, L.} Stanford Santa Clara, Cal.

Dear Madam:

It is a far cry from South Dakota, to California. May the cry not be heard if it be true? How to begin I know not. So much depends upon the words I write, I hesitate. You may consider this communication a fair sample of unparalled audacity, may thrust it aside, yet write it I must.

Having lived in the West for years you are aware of the difficulties which beset men in Home Missionary work.