Wilson and Wilson, attorneys, 1894-1900

All of the above Wills are in one package and in the safe keeping of Russell J. Wilson sent by myself this day May 18th 1899 -

Jane L. Stanford

San Francisco

Cal.

9 Old Wills placed in Mr Russell J Wilsons safe keeping May 19th 1899 -

Receipt for same herein enclosed

J. L. Stanford

A few questions propounded to Mrs. Stanford. In asking Mrs. Stanford to answer these questions, we desire to suggest that there is no other way in which we can so enrich the work that we trust will live as long as the literature of the world exists, than to seek it at the fountain.

Mr. Bancroft is making a character study of the builders. In the large history it is ot[not] possible to give the lives and characters of the builders with as much detail as their work would not only justify, but really demand; hence, he conceived the idea of a work which would bring the builders to the front, permitting them to carry in their lives the history of the country, which would be a more condensed and interesting work.

The life of Governor Stanford has two positive sides - both of them of the greatest importance to the world. His great executive ability, and his immense capacity and power as an organizer and developer, has for years been known ^stamped all over the face of the country ^coast. Now, we find him, while possessing all the strength and power of earlier years, and a more matured judgment, giving much of his time to the wants of others, putting out his great energies and abilities for the elevation of the masses; hence, we desire to gather information from one who has gone with him, hand in hand, for the better part of a life time, aiding in only such a way as a wife can aid, in all his enterprises; and who can tell how much of the success of our great men is attributable to the comfort and inspiration, the intuition - to say nothing of the judgment, ^{of a} pure-hearted, noble-minded cultivated wife. Having given you in a crude manner, the reason for asking it, we would be pleased to have you give us the date and place of your birth and tell as much as possible about your early home life; any incidents of your childhood -

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either beneath the family roof, or at school; such home environments as would tend to throw light upon the practical, economic and philanthropic work that has grown out of and shown around your life for so many years; all the reminiscences possible regarding this period, would be a boon to the historian. If you could for the moment look at all your surroundings from childhood up to the present day in an impersonal manner, we would be able to get that which in years to come would be of inestimable value.

How many children were there in your family? We would be glad to know all about your father; if you would describe him in the fullest manner as you have him in your memory to day, it would please us; the same in regard to your mother: her disposition, her home life, influence upon your father, the length of their married life - that is to say, how long were they together in the body? How your mother appears to you from the elevated standpoint of your womanhood, as you look back? It is from this kind of data that we get the cream of such a character study as it is sought to make of Governor Stanford, Leland Stanford Jr., as a part of both the governor and of yourself - the three being one in thought, spirit, and the great results that flow into the lives of humanity.

Trace ancestry as far back as possible. We would ask you, in all the delicacy possible, to give us a mother's a woman's view of that pure, and may I say noble character, Leland Stanford, Jr., whose being is so wrought into the lives of the masses of the West Coast and especially California - yes, the world, as to make even the least thought regarding him of value; and such thoughts as we get from you are beyond and above those we could get from any other source; for not even his father or his tutor could give us what you can, if you feel

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that we are not treading on sacred and forbidden ground. We approach this subject with a realizing sense of its importance, confident that you will enter into the spirit of our inquiries and appreciate our motives.

Your views regarding the University would be of the very greatest importance, if you will kindly give them to us, for, while we know that they run in perfect harmony with the views of the Governor, yet, his mind being so absorbed with a multiplicity of thoughts regarding the affairs of state and his own immense interests, would pass over many ideas and suggestions that yours will ^may hold in crystallization.

If you would tell us something regarding your charitable work; for, while we know of it in a general way, we cannot speak of it with that assurance of positive knowledge that it is necessary, to give the spirit, without stating the facts. All this, we crave for the benefit of the world.

Again, begging ^{we beg} you to take an impersonal view of the subject matter and enter into the discussion of the question as much as if you were discussing one other than yourself, with whose motives you are perfectly familiar.