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Normal Institution Orphans Hme Near Helena
Arkansas 4. M. 6. 1870

Gen O. O Howard
Esteemed Friend.

As Matron of this Institution I hail the privilege of addressing thee in its behalf. giving briefly its past history, present condition & needs and its future prospects and intentions._
Praying earnestly, and besieging clamorously that as a Government official,_ as a Christian, philanthropist & Statesman, thou wilt be pleased to make an appropriation of money to erect at this place a suitable building to accommodate the Freedmen and their children attending school here. Which building at present cost of material & labor will require Eight thousand dollars to complete & furnish. For want of such building our School of more than Two hundred scholars the past year has been uncomfortably crowded together, and divided into different rooms & classes to the serious disadvantage of the scholars and

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