• Letter ID: 1209
• Addressee: Akins, Zoë
• Date: 1934-01-02
• Repository: Huntington Library, San Marino, Ca.

Thanks for plants she sent for Christmas and for copy of "Little Willie," which is very funny. How did she know about the family nickname? Does not care to see [Maxwell] Anderson's rendition of Mary Stuart [Mary of Scotland, 1933]. Is trying hard to complete work on Lucy Gayheart, but people won't leave her alone. Hates meeting with financial advisors who tell her she is losing money.   W.   [Stout #1209]

• Letter ID: 1542
• Addressee: Ackroyd, Rose
• Date: 1941-05-16
• Repository: University of Virginia, Alderman Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Enjoyed her letter. Her grandmother, Mary Ann Anderson, a childhood favorite in Virginia. Used to watch out the window for her to come up the road when in bed sick. Saw her again on visit to Virginia after graduating from college. Walked together up the beautiful Hollow Road to her house on Timber Ridge. Mrs. Anderson always took such a keen interest in people's lives. Mrs. Ackroyed's Aunt Marjorie and Uncle Enoch went to Nebraska with the Cather family. He went to California two years later with two other men from Winchester and only wrote once after that, but Marjorie stayed with the family until she died. Remembers hours spent with Marjorie on the back porch or in the kitchen. Is enclosing a recent picture of Willow Shade, now in bad repair, and has circled the window from which she used to watch for Mrs. Anderson. P.S.: The woman who wove their rugs was Mrs. Kearns.  Willa Cather   [Stout #1542]

• Letter ID: 1569
• Addressee: Ackroyd, Rose
• Date: 1941-12-27
• Repository: University of Virginia, Alderman Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Treasuring the card and photograph [of Mrs. Anderson], taken when she was older, but recognizes her nonetheless. Yes, remembers her Uncle Snowden clearly. Remembers once when she was about five years old, when she and Marjorie had gone to visit at Mrs. Ackroyd's grandmother's house on Timber Ridge, a heavy rainstorm came up and Snowden rode up on his horse and took her home riding in front of him on his cavalry saddle.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1569]

• Letter ID: 1739
• Addressee: Southwick, Helen Louise Cather
• Date: 1946-09-22
• Repository: Yale University, Beinecke Library, New Haven, Conn.

She and Charles the only family members left with whom she can be honest and be herself.   [Stout #1739]

• Letter ID: 1853
• Addressee: Cather, Elsie
• Date: 1923
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Susan J. and James Rosowski Cather Collection (MS228)

. . . Can borrow money but doesn't want to.� Hopes Elsie will watch over things and get father to buy what is needed.� Doesn't want parents to deprive themselves in order to send her money—though he did give a lot to Jack and Jim.� Has warm affection for home, despite occasional irritation.� Will Elsie please show Margie snapshots of Isabelle's French home.� Will visit there soon.� [Cather sailed for France April 1, 1923.]� Margie kept asking to see them—so once again the family will cater to her whims.� The tower shown in the picture is for doves and rabbits.   Willa 

• Letter ID: 1876
• Addressee: Cather, Ethel Garber
• Date: 1930-07-23
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Susan J. and James Rosowski Cather Collection (MS228)

Front of postcard #1876

Going south soon to see friends near Marseilles. Sends love to Jim and children.   Willa Cather 

• Letter ID: 1887
• Addressee: Southwick, Helen Louise Cather
• Date: 1939-12-20
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Philip L. and Helen Cather Southwick Collection (MS77)

Is sending humble Christmas cards because Grand Manan friends need help. Carpenter sick with grief after his son's suicide, and Willie Thomas lost everything in a house fire. The people of the island have contributed materials and labor to rebuild his house. Doesn't see Virginia and Margaret very often, though they are in Boston. Attempting to finish a book that was unfortunately delayed by the deaths of Douglass and Isabelle. Glad Helen is near Garber grandparents. Much love.   Aunt Willie 

• Letter ID: 1897
• Addressee: Cather, James
• Date: 1934-07-12
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Susan J. and James Rosowski Cather Collection (MS228)

Is writing from a bank vault, where she is doing some business before leaving for Canada. Must tell Jim something: would not respect him more if he hit it big in the oil business. Chance and accomplishment are not the same thing. To work a steady job and support one's family is an accomplishment. That is what Roscoe has done. Making money in gold or oil or stocks is just chance. Real accomplishment is only achieved with persistent hard work. Doesn't mean to lecture, but Jim mentioned he would like to tell her of an accomplishment, and he needs to know that working, staying healthy, and raising children is enough. Jim's children [Helen and Charles Cather], who seem wonderful, would not value their father more if he was rich. Californians value chance too much. Tell the children if they begin to evaluate people based upon their wealth instead of their character she will stop loving them. Doesn't believe it will come to that, but is sincere.   Willie 

• Letter ID: 1918
• Addressee: Cather, Elsie
• Date: 1932-08-23
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Susan J. and James Rosowski Cather Collection (MS228)

Is pleased that Elsie had a fulfilling summer, but hopes she will relax now and revel in accomplishments. Appreciated Bessie's lengthy letter—read it several times—but wishes she would use a soft lead pencil. Elsie was kind to welcome Ethel [Garber Cather, sister-in-law] and her children; Helen Louise and Charles Edwin surely had a fine time. Is very glad Charles got on with Jess and her sons [William Thomas Auld and Charles Auld]; he is very sensitive. Used the incorrect name [in the short story "Two Friends"] to describe the astrological phenomenon which she saw in 1893 from the Wieners' porch, and scientists are in a tizzy. Proper description is "occultation" of Venus, not "transit." The second printing [of Obscure Destinies] is revised. Heard about it first not from an astronomer but from the omnipresent Professor Phelps of Yale University. Enclosed is his response to Cather's acknowledgment, which Elsie may destroy after reading. 

• Letter ID: 1946
• Addressee: Southwick, Helen Louise Cather, and Cather, Charles Edwin
• Date: 1935-01-02
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Philip L. and Helen Cather Southwick Collection (MS77)

Is grateful for the handkerchiefs from them and the fruit from their parents [James and Ethel Cather]. Had a joyful Christmas with lots of music, but unfortunately Aunt Elsie has not had such a nice holiday. Sends much love and wishes them both a Happy New Year.   Aunt Willie