A Calendar of the Letters of Willa Cather

36 letters found

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To Felicia Geffen [ American Academy of Arts and Letters ] [from Sarah J. Bloom, secretary],  Nov. 26, 1941 ; AAAL 

Cather is sending her contribution to the "Schrift Fest" for Dr. Damrosch today. If too late to include in the volume, please return it so that she can present it personally.   Sarah J. Bloom, Secretary   [Stout #1558]

To Walter Tittle,  n.d. ; HRC 

He must be thinking she has no manners, but she was called to Nebraska just after their last sitting. His box of candy carried her through blizzards.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1771]

To Elsie Cather,  September 5, [1934?] ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Appreciates wonderful, reassuring letter, which answered her questions about Dr. Creighton and Bess.� Feels overwhelmed by good news of Bess.� Will Elsie please take a good stock of food out there from Mrs. Burden's store so that Mrs. Kourtner can cook.� Buy them new bedding or furniture if they need it.� Is enclosing a check for forty dollars to assist with property taxes.�Hopes Elsie will give Kitty work; will help her and Elsie both.� Is as pleased as the Bishop that Elsie saved the trees at the church.�Bishop is an impressive man.� If West Virginia is to be at the University of Chicago, why doesn't Elsie go there for Christmas and enjoy some shows and music?� She herself always stays at the La Salle hotel.�Is amazed that though she is so busy Elsie had the house painted, but a good time to do it with labor and materials cheap.� Nebraska climate always hard, but Michigan, Wisconsin, and even England are very hot and dry now. �Grand Manan seems to be the only cool place left.� Wishes she could bring Red Cloud in its entirety there for a week.� Friend of J. M. Barrie wrote to ask that she inscribe a book to Barrie, since he often reads Death Comes for the Archbishop and My Antonia.� Hard to know how to write such an inscription; he would not be pleased by anything reeking of flattery.� Would rather write a book than this, but has to do it.� Elsie should take it easy and rest after the heat of the summer.   Willie 

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,  August 22, [1934] ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Has received the stories of Dr. Creighton's funeral in Red Cloud newspapers—too bad Carrie and Walter [Sherwood?] had to cut their vacation short. Elsie's difficult summer back west has colored her own summer, too. Elsie should take a year off work after such a summer, should go on a cruise or something. She and Douglass will pay for it, which they ought to do in repayment for Elsie's caring for Bess. Has not corresponded recently because she needed to rest severely sunburned eyes, but has thought of her often. Perhaps Elsie should take Bess to the hospital, and should definitely say if more money is needed. Have the trees gotten any rain recently?   Willie 

To Bess Seymour,  [January 21?, 1906] ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Thanks for the letter about the baby [probably Mary Virginia Auld, niece, born November 11, 1905], who likely had a rich Christmas. Had a good trip to New York, but unfortunately was too busy to see the Wieners. Will someday show Bess the beautiful dress she bought for the dinner [Cather attended a dinner at Delmonico's in New York celebrating the 70th birthday of Mark Twain in December 1905]. Auntie Gore's letter said that Douglass Clark has nine children, that Perry's kids are living in Winchester and Walter works at a bank, and Howard Gore's wife is wintering in Switzerland and sending Sidney to school there. Auntie doesn't seem to enjoy their living abroad. Was good of Alec Bentley to visit his father. Is Mrs. Governor Garber still in Red Cloud? Sends affection to everyone, particularly the baby. Tell Mollie hello and please write and get Jess to write, too. PS: Is wearing garters Jess gave her. Received many Christmas gifts, including silk stockings, a leather bag, a pin, hand-embroidered clothing, and books.  Willie 

To Edith Lewis,  [1923?] , postcard showing Murillo's "La Naissance de la Vierge" (Louvre Museum), from Paris, France ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 
Image of postcard showing Murillo's "La Naissance de la Vierge" (Louvre Museum), Paris, France
Front of postcard #1934

Spent entire morning in Louvre. Murillo picture will remind Edith of the Spanish works at the end of the corridor. Murillo's Virgin is the loveliest woman on earth, and Ribera's humble shepherds are wonderful.   W.S.C. 

To Will Andrews,  [October 10, n.y.] ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Just ordered a terrific Victor record from an agent: Gorgoza (Emma Eames's husband) singing "La Paloma," an important song in Mexico and one of Cather's favorites. "La Paloma" translates to "the dove," and the joyful song is about a prisoner watching a dove out his window and planning happy days of freedom ahead. Tell her if there is any problem with the record when it arrives. Will should listen to Julia Culp singing "Oh, Rest in the Lord" at the Victor store when he is in Red Cloud next.   Willa 

To Charles Cather,  September 25, [1913], from the train ; UNL-Southwick 

Visited Mary Smith with Isabelle yesterday and brought roses. Though Mary looked bettered and is still sore, she was lively and talkative. She's much older now, but is still herself, and she sends greetings. Saw Walter Gore at the bank. He was civil, but not too friendly; did not invite her to visit his wife a block away. Father will recall that when Aunt Lillian Gore arrived from Europe with silver for Walter and his new wife, she was not treated very cordially, and she left for Washington very angry. Walter is fine: he isn't too concerned with his extended family and doesn't behave otherwise. Enjoyed seeing Jennie Smith, now Mrs. Garvin, in Gore [Virginia]. She's heavy and has hardly any teeth, but manages to seem distinguished nonetheless. She has seen many weddings and funerals, the most recent being Aunt Mary (Liza) Trone, who was a housekeeper for Captain Mure. Saw the old Captain—complete with fine white beard—on horseback as straight as ever. Spent a gorgeous day hiking to Anderson's Cove, seeing the wonderful view there for the first time. Talked with Ellen Anderson near her well-kept house and garden; she was eager to talk, and so serious about her claims to like city living that they dared not smile. Later, Ellen came down on horseback for another visit together. Saw Giles and Dorothy leave for the North River on their ancient boat; they returned dressed for winter, complete with fur cap and veil. They drove a fat, drowsy horse and carried some watermelons. Did not get to eat any before leaving. Giles will be pleased to see the seeds father sent; saw them in the post office. Sends love.   Willie 

To Mary Virginia Cather,  [June 28, 1926] , from the La Fonda hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico ; UNL-Southwick 

Mary Virginia will read this aloud if Elsie is not in Red Cloud yet. Wishes Mary Virginia could have been in Santa Fe with Roscoe and his family. Hopes one day to have her own adobe home in Santa Fe to invite her nieces to. Elsie will report that the trip was wonderful, if too short. Edith returned to New York just before Roscoe's family left. Is feeling lonely. Is writing mornings in Mary Austin's house while she is away, but wishes she were not by herself in Santa Fe. Douglass said he was coming, but never did. Is traveling to Taos for a few weeks. Wishes she could come to Red Cloud on the way back to New York, but it won't work out. Needs to be in New York the first week of August, and cannot tolerate the hot Nebraska weather. Mother and Elsie will be better off if she is not there causing problems. Will possibly come in the autumn. Does much better in cool weather; the heat makes her ill. Edith, like her, enjoyed the twins. Mother should allow Virginia to come for a visit, as she really would like to. Virginia is possibly the grandchild most dedicated to her grandmother, and she will not be troublesome. Roscoe's family is terrific and he enjoys his daughters very much. How wonderful!   Willie 

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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