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Offered here is an original multi-page handwritten family letter dated April 24, 1906, written by Stephen Dillard from Ontario, Oregon, addressed to his brother and members of the Dillard family, an established and historically documented family.
This deeply personal manuscript consists of four handwritten pages on period paper and documents an extraordinary moment in early 20th-century American history.
Content & Historical Significance
In the letter, Stephen Dillard describes his severe illness, financial desperation, and belief that he is nearing the end of his life. He repeatedly pleads for financial assistance, stating he has been unable to work, has gone months without medicine, and lacks the basic necessities of life. The tone throughout is urgent, emotional, and unguarded, offering a rare, unfiltered glimpse into personal hardship in 1906.
Of particular historical interest, the final page contains a contemporary reference to the San Francisco Earthquake, noting that:
“San Francisco City, Cal., is destroyed entirely by an earthquake & two other large towns on the coast are in ruin.”
The San Francisco earthquake occurred on April 18, 1906, just six days before this letter was written, making this an early firsthand-era written reference to one of the most significant natural disasters in U.S. history. The mention is incidental rather than sensational, which strengthens its authenticity and documentary value.
Condition: Fair with loss, chipping and tears to folds.
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