Heading: (California)
Author:
Title: 1875 Document pledging funds for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind Institution signed by Leland Stanford, William Ralston, and many other prominent Californians
Place Published: [San Francisco?]
Publisher:
Date Published: [1875]
Description:

Autograph document, signed by 33 prominent Californians in January 1875. One page on a folded sheet, 39x24 cm (15¼x9½"). 

Fascinating document recording $100 pledges from each of 33 prominent Californians for the benefit of the Deaf, Dumb and Blind Institution of Berkeley, California following a devastating fire in 1875. "The undersigned citizens of California, sympathizing with Mr. Warring Wilkinson and wife in their late losses by the burning of the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institution, desire to give testimony to their worth; feeling that by their courage, heroic self-sacrifice and presence of mind in the terrible emergency, the were enabled to save the lives of the unfortunates confided in their care." The signers include: Milton Slocum Latham, 6th Governor of California; Lloyd Tevis, President of Wells, Fargo & Company; William C. Ralston, founder of the Bank of California, Comstock millionaire; Leland Stanford, 8th Governor of California, railroad tycoon, industrialist,  and Stanford University founder, etc.; Horatio P. Livermore, founder of the Olympic Club; William Sharon, Senator from Nevada, business partner of W.C. Ralston; William Tell Coleman, founder of the San Francisco Vigilance Committee of the 1850's; Thomas Henry Selby, 13th Mayor of San Francisco; Charles Norton Felton, Treasurer of United States Mint; and many others. Each of the contributors is marked as having 'Paid' their pledge. A complete list of signers is available upon request. Accompanied by an Autograph Letter, signed, to Warring and Florence Wilkinson informing them of the funds raised.

Some soiling, creased, extensive old tape repairs on the reverse, one tape repair on face of document; very good.