Letter, Kate Gleason to James Gleason
A letter from Kate Gleason to her brother, James Gleason. Kate writes about Henry Leland, former president of the Lincoln Motor Company, and his need for money. She asks Jim about offering him a loan. Kate tells Jim that their cousin Arthur McDermott, son of their mother’s brother Andrew McDermott, is desperate for money and that the $50 a month that Kate has been sending him is a “failure.” Kate tells Jim they should “salt” some money away to ensure their future security.
Kate Gleason
Bay-New-Port Republic Streets
Beaufort, Sea Islands, S.C.
Jan 13, 1930
Dear Jim,
Mr Henry Leland is 87 years old and I notice
that Wilfred runs him instead of his running Wilfred as
he did 20 years ago. Mr Leland told me he wants his
own home instead of living with his daughter and her
young family. He told me he misses the chance to
help in charity since his income is cut off. And I
told him I would like to help if I could. He told
Wilfred and Wilfred and his lawyer propose a $100,000.00
loan on some real estate and they assume that you
would go in on it. That is why I am sending you
the copies of the letters I am writing to-day.
I am sending uncle Henry a check for $2,000. Of course
he will use it for charity. But it is a tough propos-
ition for a man who used to earn $600,000.00 a year.
Let’s salt something away where we can’t blow it in when
we get over 80.
Evidently my $50 a month to Arthur McDermott has been
a failure. You see from this letter that he and his
family are begging worse than ever. I am sure that
Mother and Uncle Andrew would think I was only doing
harm so I am going to drop him off my list this year.
Yours,
Kate.
The $100,000.00 to go into the California hole where
Wilfred has already put a million including $45,000.00 of
Kettering’s. Now Kettering will not see Uncle Henry and
Uncle Henry regrets he has become grasping. I will be
the stingy one.