William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925). Politician; Lawyer. Bryan was the Democratic Presidential candidate three times, in 1896, at the age of 36, 1900, and 1908. He was instrumental in helping Wilson win the Presidency, and served as Secretary of State in Woodrow Wilson's cabinet. Late in life, he testified at the famous Scopes monkey trial in favor of creationism. ALS. 1 page. 8” x 8”. Penned on the verso of a letter that his wife Mary had written earlier in the evening and thus added prior to it being mailed to the recipient. “Am sorry not to have seen you when you were here. Don’t fail to call when you come to the city. We shall soon be in our house 2513 – 13th St. N.W. & shall have a spare room for you. Our love to the Loverings, yours truly W. J. Bryan.” Bryan follows with a postscript “The above is a standing invitation. I concur in Mrs. Bryan’s wish that you may come down at once for consultation about Helen.” Mary B. Bryan ALS. 1 page. New Willard Hotel. April 14th. “Mr. Bryan went to a clinic today where Dr. Friedman operated. He is very interested in him. Wish you could come down. Dr. F. left for Providence tonight – will probably return later. If we do anything for Helen I think we ought to have Freidman give her personal attention. These ( ) are sometimes adulterated after they pass into the hands of other people. He is a very clean, enthusiastic fellow. He left a history of his work in Germany. Can’t you come down & talk this over? Yrs, Mary B. Bryan.” A superb item with an ALS by both the famed attorney and his wife. Unusual.

WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN (1860-1925). Politician; Lawyer. Bryan was the Democratic Presidential candidate three times, in 1896, at the age of 36, 1900, and 1908. He was instrumental in helping Wilson win the Presidency, and served as Secretary of State in Woodrow Wilson's cabinet. Late in life, he testified at the famous Scopes monkey trial in favor of creationism. ALS. 5 ½” x 8 ¾”. 6 pages. In pencil. “En route, Feb. 10. My Dear Mr. Berger;” “I have been thinking over the matter of investment & write you the conclusions. I don’t see how that Santa Fe land can become very valuable – except that close to the city – unless water can be put upon it. It might be worth while to buy a quarter section as near as possible to town. 160 acres at 3 would be 480 – not a very large sum and it would probably increase in value as the city grows. You can set apart one quarter section for me if you decide to buy. The land farther out will only be valuable when you put water upon it and as you are taking all the chance and going to all the expense it is only fair that you have whatever profit comes from it. I think form appearances that you are likely to develop a large amount of water as you go down. I wish you would let me know the result. If you are able to bring water down to a point near the railroad you will have no trouble building a town there but it would not be fair for me to share the increase in value without sharing the cost of looking for water and I do not care to risk money in developing. While I would be glad to join with you in buying a small tract to irrigate. You will buy more thatn can possibly be irrigated & deserve whatever advance the water will bring. I think it is worthwhile to buy 40 acres near Tucson or at least 20 - to hold until we have completed our experiment at Mission. I think we are going to be satisfied with Mission. Still we may decide that it is better to be near the ( ) & that last place we looked at is a beautiful site. With the mountains rising on every side and the city in sight – what a view it presents! I can not spare the money for several months but can borrow if necessary. If it can be bought below $40 per acre we might buy 80 together or if it costs more than 40 we might buy 40 together with privilege to whichever one builds to buy the other 20. 40 would be enough to build on. I will trust your judgement if you have to act immediately. If they give you time, shall be pleased to hear from you. Yours truly, W. J. Bryan. Bryan signs vertically in the left margin at the conclusion of the letter. A nice look into his personal investment business. Light paperclip rust residue. Fine.