Hurrying to leave for Nebraska but will answer briefly. Georgine Milmine, now Mrs. Benjamin Wells, of Aubrey, N.Y., gathered material on Mrs. Eddy. McClure bought the material, subsequently lost (along with a first edition of Science and Health) when the magazine was sold. Milmine couldn't do the writing, and after sampling short segments of it done by several other people he chose her [Cather]. This was shortly after she came to New York. Carefully checked the material and believes it is all accurate except the first chapter, written by Burton Hendrick, now with Doubleday. His resentment at being removed from the project may be part of the reason Doubleday does not bring it back into print. Please keep confidential. Willa Cather [Stout #649]
Yes, write to Mrs. Wells [Georgine Milmine] but do not mention Cather's name. Might also write to S. S. McClure for an account of how the material was collected. [Stout #658]
Did not write Georgine Milmine's biography of Mary Baker Eddy, only did some editorial work on it, including a few paragraphs of rewrite. It was done only for the magazine articles. Doesn't believe she ever even saw the book. Indeed, Milmine may have put back in some of the material she cut out. Wishes certain people wouldn't go about saying she wrote it. Willa Cather [Stout #1201]
In response to his inquiry, insists that Georgine Milmine is a very real person and did a good deal of work collecting information for the history [The Life of Mary Baker G. Eddy, first published in McClure's January 1907 through June 1908; published in book form as The Life of Mary Baker G. Eddy and the History of Christian Science by Georgine Milmine, New York: Doubleday, Page, & Co., 1909]. Milmine did not really write it, but four or five people, including herself, worked on it in the editorial room of McClure's. Does not wish to be identified with the book, for was never interested in it except editorially and shared the work with others. Mr. Smith was not there at the time, if memory serves, so he must have heard his stories from somebody else. Please keep this information quiet. Wilson's profession assures his prudence, one would think. Willa Cather
No, is not the author of the introduction to the McClure's publication of Miss Milmine's book [The Life of Mary Baker G. Eddy, first published in McClure's January 1907 through June 1908]. Only started working on it after the introduction and the first part appeared in the magazine. Did it only because Mr. McClure asked her to. Will not release a statement, as it will only inspire unwanted correspondence. Why does this unimportant editorial work continue to be a burden to her? Willa Cather
