A Calendar of the Letters of Willa Cather

36 letters found

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Results 21-30:

To Elsie Cather,  June 16, 1908, postcard showing the Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome, Italy ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 
Image of postcard showing the Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome, Italy
Front of postcard #1893

This is the unimpressive Tiber river with St. Peter's Basilica and Hadrian's tomb [now Castel Sant'Angelo]. Spent part of the day before in the Palace of the Caesars. The rooms are all taller than Red Cloud's standpipe. Had to take a day's rest after walking so much in Caesar's house last week.   W.S.C. 

To Charles F. Cather,  [summer 1916?] , from Brown Palace Hotel, Denver, Colorado ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Spent a comfortable, cool night on the train. Though it is hot in Denver, the elevation keeps it from being as stifling as Nebraska. Had a wonderful time with them in Red Cloud, though. Please send check to the La Salle Hotel in Chicago, where she will arrive on Monday. Edith will get whatever money Cather has on hand because she needs it after shopping in Denver, so is counting on check in Chicago. Father should know, in case she in Edith are ever in an accident, where important papers are—in safety deposit box 7032 in Garfield National Bank, 5th Ave. and 23rd St., New York. Isabelle (Mrs. Jan Hambourg) is the executor. Appreciates his constant kindheartedness with her and her friends, despite her occasional moodiness. Thinks each visit is a testament to their good luck, both in prosperity and in good health. PS: Isabelle's relationships with publishers make her the best choice for executor.  Willie 

To Elsie Cather,  June 21, 1938 with program for Douglass Cather's memorial service ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Is nearly without words. When Edith said there was awful news, Douglass was the last member of the family she thought of. His death does not, like parents, feel normal. Cannot get accustomed to such a reality. He was so vivacious—how can it be? Is glad death came quickly so he did not have to fear it. Was hoping Elsie would not try to go to the service in California. Appreciated Roscoe informing her about the time of the service, two o'clock, which made it six o'clock New York time [actually five]. Was unable to find an open Episcopal church, so went to the Church of the Dominican Fathers nearby [Church of St. Vincent Ferrer]. Catholics understand that heartache happens night as well as day and provide a solemn place for it. Please don't write about the service or the family, as it would be too hard for both of them. No need to make the pain fresh again, though the pain will always be there. This is the most dispiriting thing she has ever experienced. 

To Mr. Munson,  May 22, 1934, from 452 E 52nd St, New York, NY [?] ; Drew U (Adams 153.1) 

Could not respond as quickly as Mr. Munson demanded because has been very busy working for a California film studio [likely a fabrication] and secretary is gone. My Ántonia represents her best effort in a very bad literary environment, and she wrote it to make money, just as every other author does (though they wouldn't admit it). Has little to say about it.   Willa Cather 

To Thomas Boyd, April 7, 1921, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on letterhead of "The Tuesday Nine O'clocks," 38 Saint Vincent Street, Toronto; Ohio Historical Society 

Promises a letter when at typewriter on 5 Bank Street. Best wishes.   Willa Sibert Cather 

To Carrie Miner Sherwood,  November 25, 1935 ; WCPM 

Wants to update her on her life lately: just arrived after a rough overseas journey. Edith was quite ill and had to enter a hospital to get a growth on her shoulder removed after they arrived. Thankfully it was benign and she is now on the road to recovery. Has a temporary housekeeper since beloved Josephine returned to France with her family. Her husband is in poor health and wanted to end his days in his native village in the Pyrenees. Josephine, who was with them twenty years, is a wonderful cook, but also one of the great friends of her life. Is glad she is back in her home country, but misses her terribly. Did send a letter to Dean Lee [of St. Mark's Pro-Cathedral] for the anniversary of the Bishop, though he wasn't very polite in his invitation, and might not choose to read it at the dinner. The Dean seems unhappy with both the Bishop and herself. Would like to write a sincere letter to the Bishop, for she respects him tremendously. In both appearance and character, Bishop Beecher is just right. Please share her deep feelings with him, as she is shy about doing it.   Willie 

To Roscoe Cather,  April 18, [1908] on letterhead of Royal Mail Steamship "Carpathia" ; UNL-Roscoe 

Saw Cape St. Vincent, Portugal, this afternoon, a place sacred to all with ties to England, and soon will see Trafalgar Bay, the site of Nelson's victory over Napoleon's navy. The sea floor here is covered with the skeletons of French, Spanish, and Italian sailors, thanks to Nelson. A British captain onboard commented that he thinks of Nelson's victory every time he passes this place. Is thinking of Nelson atop the column in Trafalgar Square, London, and his letter to Lady Hamilton [Nelson's mistress] in the British Museum, written the night before he died. "If Blood be the price of admiralty" [line from Rudyard Kipling's "Song of the Dead"]. Enjoys thinking of Nelson and the dead on the sea floor and the glory of the English navy and of his statue in Trafalgar Square protected by Landseer's lions, and the people's affection for Lady Hamilton. Wishes Roscoe could see these things with her. 

To Roscoe Cather,  June 10, [1908] on postcard of Villa Doria Pamphili, Rome ; UNL-Roscoe 
Image of front of postcard showing Villa Doria Pamphili, Rome, Italy
Front of postcard #2062

This is the dome of St. Peter's from the garden where she saw it for the first time. One sees it in the east from everywhere, and soon realizes that modern Europe was made here, from even before the crowning of Charlemagne. Second to the grandeur of the Roman Empire is the Catholic Rome of medieval days.   Willa 

To Bobbie [nickname for Elsie Cather],  May 4, [1917] ; UNL-Roscoe 

Has been embarrassed to write after so long. Has put off writing everyone but mother and Jack, who was ill. Is mortified that she even neglected writing Mrs. Deland, for now her sick husband has died. It is the war that is causing the problems: it even makes writing books seem trivial. Can't make progress on the new book, and will probably have to rewrite or abandon it. Houghton Mifflin people are very displeased that it will not be ready for fall publication. There are good things in the new book, but it does not seem to be working. Is going to put it aside for a while and write some short stories—needs the money. Has Elsie heard that Rudyard Kipling's son, the prototype for Dan in the Puck tales, is missing in action? It has been over a year now, and hope seems lost. Mr. Greenslet, who just returned from England, said Kipling is devastated. What a shame, as Kipling has given so much joy to so many. Edith's health was good this winter. Helps Edith with eye treatments. They plan to go to Washington tonight. The war and resulting rise in costs have hurt the magazine publishing business. Has had many wonderful musical get-togethers with the Hambourgs, and had dinner with the recently-married Olive Fremstad and her husband [Harry L. Brainard and Fremstad were married November 4, 1916]. They had a fine evening. Has already written mother describing it. People she knows in the British war department say the war will go on at least two years. When Greenslet was in London, he had trouble getting decent food and enough of it, and many buildings had to go without heat. Newspapers aren't really providing the whole story: if not for the entrance of the United States, the allies would have been defeated, for the submarines prevented proper food from getting to the army. Germany's food supply is much better than that in England and France. If the U.S. can produce enough ships and men, the allies may yet win in two years. If not, we will all be Prussian. The Russians can't hold the eastern front unless the allies keep Germany tied down in France. If not, St. Petersburg will soon fall, and then the German army will be fed from the vast agricultural output of Russia. The U.S. has a unique opportunity: we can protect or lose Democracy for the entire planet. And yet a letter from her Mesa Verde guide claims the war is taken as a joke out west. Like Russia, the U.S. is so enormous we can't get things together. Believe it: dark times are ahead. Needs to stop now, but hopes to be better about writing in the future.   Willie. 

To Roscoe Cather,  [Spring 1921] , from 38 St. Vincent Street, Toronto, Canada ; UNL-Roscoe 

Appreciates his letting her know about his new endeavors, but wishes he wasn't leaving his beautiful home in Lander. Thought Casper was a terrible place, but certainly he knows best. Hasn't been able to write sooner due to preoccupation with work and a sore ankle and other problems. Has not been in good health during the winter, but is now relaxing with the kind Isabelle and Jan. Has enclosed an article. Is not responsible for the mistaken dates (which she wishes were correct), as she hasn't spoken to the journalists. Sends love.   Willa. 

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© 2004-2019, Willa Cather Archive. Andrew Jewell, editor. Updated July 2019. The Willa Cather Archive is freely distributed by the Center for Digital Research in the Humanities at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. UNL Logo