A Calendar of the Letters of Willa Cather

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To Trixie Mizer FloranceDecember 22, [1946?]Drew U (Caspersen 54) 

Has not seen Myra, who has been ill and traveling often. Trixie's illness adds her to a list of friends poisoned by penicillin. Would only accept the medication from an experienced physician, like those at Johns Hopkins or the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Is not working much, though had productive time at Northeast Harbor, Maine, during the summer. Is focusing on fixing up her apartment since she delayed repairs during the war. Chairs were falling apart, but the upholsterer repaired them wonderfully. Has never been a careless bohemian artist! Marutha Menuhin sent thirty pounds of kitchen gear from San Francisco since it is more available on the west coast. Merry Christmas.   Willa 


To Sidney FloranceNovember 21, 1945Drew U (Caspersen 54) 

Appreciated his piece on Fred Maurer in the newspaper. Is thankful for it and will put it in her scrapbook. Sat near the Maurer brothers in Red Cloud High School and saw them struggle with poor reading light and inadequate clothes. They were not dealt a fair hand in life. Kept in touch with Fred through letters to the Gurney girl who cared for him, but stopped after she died.   Willa Cather 


To Trixie Mizer FloranceDecember 18, [1945?]Drew U (Caspersen 54) 

Loves the roses, but loved seeing her much more. Was very moved to talk with someone from her youth, which hasn't happen since she last saw Roscoe in California in 1941. Felt very homesick after Trixie left. When parents lived, spent a lot of time in Red Cloud in their home—even cut European trips short to do it. Their distinctive house was sold without her knowledge, so never had the chance to buy it; found out about the sale, in fact, from business correspondence with Trixie's husband. Should see one another again soon.   Willa 


To Trixie Mizer FloranceOctober 30, [1945]Drew U (Caspersen 54) 

Thoughtful of her to write. Has felt pain before, but the death of Roscoe left a wound that will not heal. They were very close and spent considerable time together. Likes his wife and three daughters. He is irreplaceable. They corresponded often; two of his letters found her after she learned of his death via telegram. He died in his sleep, an appropriate way for someone of such innate gentlemanliness to die. Mr. Florance would have liked him.   Willa 


To Trixie Mizer FloranceJune 12, 1946Drew U (Caspersen 54) 

Has been friends with Carrie Sherwood since childhood. Remembers that, shortly after arriving in Nebraska, she went with her family in her grandfather's wagon to Red Cloud and the Miner Brothers General Store. A bright-eyed young Carrie held her hand and spoke to her.   Willa 


To Sidney FloranceJune 30, 1945Drew U (Caspersen 54) 

Is pleased to have Mr. Foe assume her $1000 farm mortgage on the North half of Northwest Quarter of Section 22, Township 2, Range 12. For now, please just put Mr. Foe's payment in People-Webster County Bank. After July 5 will be at the Asticou Inn in Northeast Harbor Maine working on a new story. Is surprised at Will Auld's treatment of Mrs. Damerell. Thought he esteemed her, but supposes that once honor begins to be lost, eventually it is lost entirely. Father liked Will's uncle, Tom Auld, and both Tom Auld and father were fooled into thinking Will respectable because he neither smoked nor drank. From what the newspaper says, the weather in Webster County looks good for the corn. Appreciates his kindness, which has given her good feelings about Red Cloud again.   Willa Cather 


To Trixie Mizer FloranceAugust 12, 1945Drew U (Caspersen 54) 

Has requested that Myra Hess send Trixie a photograph.   Willa 


To Roscoe CatherDecember 8, [1918]UNL-Roscoe 

Started this letter a long while ago. New York is brimming with soldiers back from the war. Has been trying to see them often. They enjoy speaking about France to anybody who is interested. Is mailing a copy of a terrific review [of My Ántonia]—complete with a large photograph—from the Sunday Sun. ["My Nebraska Antonia," [New York] Sun (6 October 1918) section 6, p. 1] Had to special order the copies, for extras aren't readily available due to paper shortages. Is stunned by the popular response. Doesn't everybody in the U.S. have such a tale? Has never cared for tales herself, and less so now that she is so conscious of their construction. In My Ántonia, didn't intensify the drama of life one bit, yet people really enjoy it. Professor Geoghegan [possibly linguist Richard Henry Geoghegan?] tells her that he believes it is the greatest American novel; father also says it is as good as any he has read. How delightful to reach such different readers! Hopes she can do it again. Is pleased Virginia likes her coat. Sorry to hear about the whooping cough going around in his family. Was in Red Cloud when Trix Mizer's children were suffering from it. Please write soon. Enjoys hearing about his life. Ask Meta to write, too. Is working some on the Blue Mesa story [a version of "Tom Outland's Story," which later appeared in the novel The Professor's House], but is struggling with it mightily. Does not want to write it conventionally, but the alternative is very hard.   Willie. 


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