Mrs. Mary A. Baker

   La Fayette, Illinois

My Dear Cousin,

       I received, this evening your letter containing contribution.  For which please to accept my thanks.  and for which find enclosed the Secretary's receipt.  also a blank which we wish you to fill out to the best of your ability, and then return it to me.  This blank is not to be sworn to, later we will send one to be filled upon oath.  We will send the one that is to be sworn to, after the records in Germany have been searched, and everything straightened out, so we know them to be a certainty.  We expect to send some person to Berlin about the 1st of April.

   Of course I cannot say that we are sure to get the estate from Germany, nobody can be sure of that; but I can say for sure that we mean to try.  and to try our best too.

(This next part is written at the top, with the page rotated.)

The fact that I was chosen to serve upon the Executive Committee, seems to prove to me that some, at least, of the persons present at the Dayton meeting trusted me.  The fact that you chose to send your money to me, indicates that you also trust me, and I should be sorry indeed if the time should ever come when that sentiment should be reversed upon the part of anybody.  I am the youngest person of the Committee by a number of years; but that will never hinder me from doing right, by everybody, so far as right can be done.

A good deal of money has been sent in since the meeting in dayton, I cannot do not know just how much, but I saw $30 paid in one day.

(Page 2)

   besides money, I have given much time to this matter, and as I make my own living, my time is of some value.  But I give it freely and willingly and charge nobody a cent for it; If the Estate is secured I shall feel amply repaid for all I have done.  although, if the Estate were to come tomorrow, not one cent of it would be mine, for my mother, who is the heir, is still living, and I hope she may live for many a year to come.

The seventy five people who were present at our meeting did not represent the heads of seventy five families, for in some cases there were four or five of the children of the real heir present.  There were five of our family present, but we represented but one real heir, my mother.   That was the case throughout, quite a number of those present were children or grandchildren to the real heir, or head of the family -- do you see?

   Hoping from my heart that the $10 you have been so kind as to contribute may some day return to you doubled many fold.

I Remain Yours Very Affectionately,
                         Naomi Shepard
                         Sulphur Grove, Ohio