A Calendar of the Letters of Willa Cather

21 letters found

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To Dorothy CanfieldJuly 6, 1902 from Ludlow, Shropshire, EnglandUVt 

[Begins with lines from A. E. Housman, "The Recruit."] Is looking forward to seeing her in Paris. After Liverpool went to Chester, then to Shrewsbury. [Inserts four lines from Housman's "The Welch Marches."] Saw football being played [two lines from "(Is my team ploughing)"] and went to Shrewsbury jail [four lines from "(On moonlit heath and lonesome bank)"]. Tracing scenes of A Shropshire Lad. Has found out Housman's London address from his publisher. Ludlow Castle delightful, with its associations with both Housman and Sir Philip Sidney. [Inserts three stanzas of her own poem "Poppies on Ludlow Castle."]   Willie   [Stout #73]


To Mrs. Sidney Mattison [Great Neck, Long Island; who had written asking for a souvenir letter for the little girl she named after Cather]Jan. 21, 1936WCPM 

Doesn't like her first name well enough to be glad to hear that babies are named after her, but does send best wishes to the little girl. Maybe she will like the name.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1292]


To namesake [accompanying no. 1292]Jan. 21, 1936WCPM 

Likes the picture her mother sent. Seven is a nice age. Enjoyed being seven herself. Please always be sincere, and if she doesn't like her books, say so. Couldn't be proud of a namesake who didn't speak her own mind.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1293]


To Dorothy Canfield FisherOct. 14, 1940UVt 

Is unable to write by hand because of sprain. Now they are even on misquoting titles. Has regretted calling her last book "Seasoned Wood" [instead of Seasoned Timber]. Now Dorothy has called hers "Sapphira and the Slave Maid," which loses the doubling of the "r" sound. Glad she likes what she has read of it. Galley proofs need a lot of correction. Abandoned it in the middle when Douglass and Isabelle died, but had already written the epilogue, which was the target. Has overridden her reluctance to shift from third person to first because the incident such an important one in her childhood. Grandmother Boak a Confederate and lost two sons in the South's army, but cared about justice and actually did take Nancy across the Potomac. Postmistress was her great aunt, Sidney Cather Gore. Enjoyed hearing the southern speech in her mind as she wrote it, especially the black people's speech. Realizes their speech patterns are not consistent in the book, but house servants varied their speech. Might not have finished the book had it not been for the war, but writing it helped her escape the anxiety.   Willa   [Stout #1497]


To Mrs. Sidney FloranceFeb. 23, [1942]Newberry 

Enclosing two form letters regarding the Myra Hess Fund, to which she is a regular contributor.   Willa   [Stout #1574]


To Bishop George BeecherMar. 12, 1947, transcription made by Bernice Slote ; UNL 

Was grieved to learn of the death of Mrs. Beecher. Delayed writing until sufficiently recovered from the strain of her right hand to do so by hand. Does not write to many people in Red Cloud any longer, but does write to Carrie Sherwood and Mary Creighton and to Sidney Florance and his wife. Glad the hospital board is making such a good use of her family's old home. Some of the people in the country out from Red Cloud have written telling her how kind her mother was to them when they came to town. These are the memories one cherishes. Prays that he can bear up under the loneliness that has come to him.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1754]


To Elsie CatherSeptember 25, [1933?], from Grand MananUNL-Rosowski Cather 

Appreciates the letter keeping her connected to Red Cloud. Will ought to have invested Bess's money in Postal Savings Bonds. Jess always has a trick up her sleeve. Selling cosmetics—and what an attitude! Isn't too sorry for her. Sent Will Andrews twenty-five dollars. Hopes Bess will hire a cleaning woman. Elsie should do what she wants about the old kitchen, but even an empty kitchen will keep the house cooler. Pleased to learn about Sid Florance, but how can his bank survive? Please send on any letters from Roscoe. Leaving Grand Manan soon to go to Jaffrey. Please write. OK to send Molly money for Thanksgiving?   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 Sidney and Trixie Mizer Florance,  Thursday [December 1945?] Drew U (Caspersen 54) 

Took letter to Pennsylvania hotel yesterday and was informed that the Florances were not on the reservation list. Has discovered the following after a long time on the telephone: 1) room 1245 is taken, 2) letter to Sidney still in the office. Letter contains invitation to dinner Friday (tomorrow). Unlisted telephone number is Regent 4-8354. Please call to make arrangements. Can change dinner to Saturday, but would need sufficient notice to reschedule domestic help. How complicated! Looks forward to seeing them.   Willa 


To Sidney FloranceFebruary 26, [1946]Drew U (Caspersen 54) 

Had to sign deed he sent the very day she returned home from the hospital, and is afraid Miss Bloom's businesslike letter that accompanied it sounded rude. Excuse them both. PS: Health is improving; is now able to walk many blocks.  Willa Cather 


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