• Letter ID: 0168
• Addressee: Cather, Frances (Franc) Smith
• Date: 1910-01-05
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, George Cather Ray Collection (MS113)

To Mrs. George P. Cather [Aunt Franc],  Jan. 5, 1910, from 82 Washington Place, New York ; UNL-Ray 

Wishing her a belated happy New Year. Has been managing the magazine by herself since returning to New York in the fall. Has been unwell, so has had not only little time but little energy. Isabelle McClung with her from early November through Christmas; helped a great deal with shopping and the training of a new maid, so the apartment is now very pleasant. Always feels homesick at Christmas; seems everyone in New York suffers from homesickness then. Last year went to the children's service at Trinity Church on Christmas Eve and people were crying all around her. Probably wishing to be back at some small town. Is glad Jack and Elsie put out holly and evergreens in the cemetery for her at Christmas. Both such nice children. Elsie will be nicer when she gets older and not so sure of herself. Enjoys thinking of Bessie [Elizabeth Seymour] and Auntie [Sarah Andrews, sister of Mary Virginia Cather] being together and less burdened by care. Used to find it so hard not being able to do anything for them. Mother seems in better spirits lately. Is anticipating a Grand Jury investigation as a result of McClure's articles on Tammany and prostitution. Expects to go to London again in a few months but hopes to get back to Nebraska in the summer. Hopes to have as nice a visit as this past summer, when Mother did not seem to begrudge her visiting in the country. Please let her known if Bess and Auntie need anything. Sends love and best wishes.   Willie   [Stout #168]

• Letter ID: 0188
• Addressee: Cather, Frances (Franc) Smith
• Date: 1911-02-22
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, George Cather Ray Collection (MS113)

To Mrs. George P. Cather [Aunt Franc],  Feb. 22, 1911 ; UNL-Ray 

Another busy winter. Elsie made her first visit to New York at Christmas; they had a wonderful time except for worrying about Mother, who'd hurt herself in a fall. Elsie liked the apartment and the colored maid, who has taken over all housekeeping cares. Health is better this winter, though working all summer while Mr. McClure was ill in Europe wore her down. Had some time away to recuperate in the fall. Saw Mr. Wiener a few weeks ago; he is still himself, in spite of having made so much money. Isabelle visiting and sends her greeting. Hears from Howard Gore that he is going to the coronation of the king of Siam, whom he knew years ago. Wishes he wouldn't pursue aristocrats, but vanity seems endemic to Washington. Hears that Bessie and Auntie are well, and that she and Uncle George are too. May have to go to England in April. Hopes to receive a letter from her before going.   Willie   [Stout #188]

• Letter ID: 0194
• Addressee: Cather, Frances (Franc) Smith
• Date: 1911-05-16
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, George Cather Ray Collection (MS113)

To Mrs. George P. Cather [Aunt Franc],  May 16, 1911 ; UNL-Ray 

Has just seen a report of G. P.'s accident in the Red Cloud newspaper. It appears he is out of danger but must be in a lot of pain. Has always been afraid of automobiles, and gasoline seems inherently dangerous. Only a week ago an explosion a couple of blocks away caused several apartment buildings to burn down. G. P. is a very strong young man, but this is a terrible ordeal. Elsie is enjoying Northampton. Hopes to see her next week during a trip to Boston.   Willie   [Stout #194]

• Letter ID: 0254
• Addressee: Cather, Frances (Franc) Smith
• Date: 1913-02-23
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, George Cather Ray Collection (MS113)

To Mrs. George P. Cather [Aunt Franc],  Feb. 23, 1913, from no. 5 Bank Street (written in above McClure's letterhead), New York ; UNL-Ray 

Thanks for the letter. Has just finished a new novel, having reduced her work for the magazine by half. Is settling into new apartment, which had to have considerable refurbishing but was worth it, spacious and quiet. Has bought four Persian rugs. The same colored maid as for the past four years is still keeping life in order. Agrees that Alexander is morally flimsy, but goodness in characters does not necessarily make strong fiction. Believes she will like the new novel better. Elsie is enjoying her teaching. Finds that one of the rewards of nearing forty years old is feeling more comfortable with older relatives, who always used to seem rather intimidating. Not so much Aunt Franc and Father as others.   Willie   [Stout #254]

• Letter ID: 0289
• Addressee: Cather, Frances (Franc) Smith
• Date: 1914-11-17
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections; Willa Cather Pioneer Memorial and Educational Foundation

To Mrs. George P. Cather [Aunt Franc],  Nov. 17, [1914], from Pittsburgh ; UNL-Ray  copy at WCPM

Has been working well. Expects to be in Pittsburgh until Christmas. Jack doing well at school; sees him often. War occupies all conversation. A friend from Belgium, Mme Flahant, is in New York and says her family members in Brussels are starving. The Belgian Relief Committee in London says that only the U.S. can sustain Belgium through the winter. Germans allow no food in that comes through England or France. Will donate to the relief fund instead of sending Christmas presents. America will have to answer to history if it fails Belgium.   Willie   [Stout #289]

• Letter ID: 0309
• Addressee: Cather, Frances (Franc) Smith
• Date: 1915-06-16
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, George Cather Ray Collection (MS113)

To Mrs. George P. Cather [Aunt Franc],  June 16, [1915] ; UNL-Ray 

Is sending a chain letter for her to pass on to three friends. Is correcting proofs for new book to be published in the fall. Expects to be in Nebraska in September and will come for a visit.   Willie   [Stout #309]

• Letter ID: 0343
• Addressee: Cather, Frances (Franc) Smith
• Date: 1915-12-25
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, George Cather Ray Collection (MS113)

To Mrs. George P. Cather [Aunt Franc],  Dec. 25, 1915, from Pittsburgh ; UNL-Ray 

Is sending her love on this special day. Since Isabelle McClung has lost her father as well as her mother and this house (which has been almost a home to her [Cather] for fifteen years) is to be sold, it is her last Christmas there. May never feel so secure in any other house. Even her apartment in New York, pleasant as it is, is not a home in the way this was. Has been spending some time with Jack during the school vacation. New book enjoying good sales as well as favorable reviews. Is eager to get to work on a new one.   Willa    [Stout #343]

• Letter ID: 0389
• Addressee: Cather, Frances (Franc) Smith
• Date: 1917-07-14
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, George Cather Ray Collection (MS113)

To Mrs. George P. Cather [Aunt Franc],  Saturday [pm. July 14, 1917] , from Red Cloud, Nebr. ; UNL-Ray 

Father so enjoyed listening to Will Andrews's new Victrola that they stayed too late to get by Bladen before going home. It was almost dark when they got back to Red Cloud. Will come to visit next week, before Jack has to leave.   Willie   [Stout #389]

• Letter ID: 0390
• Addressee: Cather, Frances (Franc) Smith
• Date: 1917-09-09
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, George Cather Ray Collection (MS113)

To Mrs. George P. Cather [Aunt Franc],  Sept. 9, [pm. 1917], from the Shattuck Inn, Jaffrey, N.H. ; UNL-Ray 

Understands her regret that G. P. has enlisted, but he has always wanted to be in the military and this is his chance. It's a time of return to basics: men carrying guns. For herself, feels proud of him and glad he can go, especially as an officer. Wishes Jack were going. Was sorry not to see her, but the heat was debilitating and she and her friend fled back East. Was too worn out to work for a while, but now is working every morning in a tent about a mile from the inn. Douglass's reports about Mother are disheartening. Wonders if she should go to California to see about her. Address is at Hotel Garfield on O'Farrell Street in San Francisco. Elsie is delighted with her school and with Albuquerque. On the whole, families are pretty good things to have.   Willa   [Stout #390]

• Letter ID: 0392
• Addressee: Cather, Frances (Franc) Smith
• Date: 1917-09-19
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, George Cather Ray Collection (MS113)

To Mrs. George P. Cather [Aunt Franc],  Sept. 19, [1917], from Jaffrey, N.H. ; UNL-Ray 

Sending a letter from Elsie she will enjoy.  P.S.: Will be home on Bank Street about Oct. 1.  Willa   [Stout #392]

• Letter ID: 0418
• Addressee: Cather, Frances (Franc) Smith
• Date: 1918-06-26
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, George Cather Ray Collection (MS113)

To Mrs. George P. Cather [Aunt Franc],  n.d. [June 26, 1918] , from New York ; UNL-Ray 

Knows she must be thanking God for a son who could make them all so proud with his courageous deeds, showing he was a true man and not an inferior one. She and Uncle George are the only ones who deserve the glory he has brought to the family [referring to a newspaper notice of G. P.'s death on the parapet of a trench].   Willie   [Stout #418]

• Letter ID: 0419
• Addressee: Cather, Frances (Franc) Smith
• Date: 1918-06-12
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, George Cather Ray Collection (MS113)

To Mrs. George P. Cather [Aunt Franc],  June 12, [1918], from New York ; UNL-Ray 

Feels inadequate to write, but wants her to know that her loss [of Grosvenor] is present in her thoughts. Everything else seemed to fade into unreality when she saw G. P.'s name in the newspaper under the heading "killed in action"—a title that sets men apart in glory. Now feels she carries a name of honor because it was his name. It was Isabelle who showed her the newspaper notice. Somehow, had not believed he would be harmed in the war. Knows she must be glad he found his mission in life. Remembers talking with him about the war news in August, 1914. He was not content on the farm; this great endeavor was the kind of effort he needed and craved. Very few men have both the courage and the ability to serve the country in this great challenge as he did. Sends love and sympathy.   Willie   [Stout #419]

• Letter ID: 0440
• Addressee: Cather, Frances (Franc) Smith
• Date: 1918-11-11
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, George Cather Ray Collection (MS113)

To Mrs. George P. Cather [Aunt Franc],  Nov. 11, [1918] ; UNL-Ray 

Thinking of her on this day of peace. For the first time in all history the sun rose on a world without monarchies. A fulfillment of Ralph Waldo Emerson's prediction that God would one day say He was tired of kings. Wishes Grosvenor had lived to see it, but he is now God's soldier, as the line in Macbeth says. The old is gone for good. Now more than ever the flag belongs in churches.   Willie   [Stout #440]

• Letter ID: 0510
• Addressee: Cather, Frances (Franc) Smith
• Date: 1920-07-04
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, George Cather Ray Collection (MS113)

To Mrs. George P. Cather [Aunt Franc],  July 4, [1920], from Paris ; UNL-Ray 

A huge procession of war orphans marched in a parade today to celebrate America. The stars and stripes flying above public buildings. The French like American soldiers, but not Wilson. Hopes to go to Cantigny next week, though trains still disrupted. Feeling good after the voyage. Almost dreads trip to Naples, with travel so difficult now.   Willa   [Stout #510]