• Letter ID: 1754
• Addressee: Beecher, Bishop George Allen
• Date: 1947-03-12
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

To Bishop George Beecher,  Mar. 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]

• Letter ID: 1738
• Addressee: Southwick, Helen Louise Cather
• Date: 1946-09-17
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Philip L. and Helen Cather Southwick Collection (MS77)

To Helen Louise Cather Southwick,  Sept. 17, 1946, from Anticou Inn, Northeast Harbor, Maine ; UNL-Southwick 

Has sent a telegram asking that Helen telegraph her father; secretary neglected to pack her family address book.  Is including an amusing newspaper clipping sent by someone probably associated with an Indianapolis newspaper.  The end of it has a word from S. S. McClure, who published her first short story [Cather had actually published thirty-two stories—including a few in widely-circulating periodicals—before publishing in McClure's in 1905] and her first volume of stories.  Hopes she hasn't seen it; it wasn't very good.  Worked hard at the magazine for three years [actually she worked in the editorial offices for over five years, from 1906-1911].  Has not kept in touch with McClure as she should, but recently wrote him a letter and will see him soon.  Sending her the clipping because there is no one else left who would appreciate it.  Has never met Jack's daughters [Ella and Catherine Cather]; they are not very tactful and once sent poems composed by their high school teacher evidently hoping she would get them published.   W.S.C.   [Stout #1738]

• Letter ID: 1735
• Addressee: Crofts, Margaret
• Date: 1946-06-26
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

To Mrs. [Margaret?] Crofts,  June 26, 1946 ; UNL 

Has tried to reach her by telephone without success. Has received the book she sent about French settlement in the U.S. Would be impossible to write a book about every such settlement. Anyway, impossible to write successfully just from information.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1735]

• Letter ID: 1939
• Addressee: Hornberger, Theodore
• Date: 1946-05
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Susan J. and James Rosowski Cather Collection (MS228)

To Professor Hornberger,  May 1946 "DRAFT" is written across the top and the letter is unsigned; ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Will never allow Death Comes for the Archbishop to be in an anthology, as anthologies are ultimately shallow [Horberger published The Literature of the United States in 1946]. After speaking to many young people, is convinced that the college classroom is no place for modern books. When a man is in school, he ought to study the classics of the English canon. An energetic undergraduate will read current books for fun. When teaching school in Pittsburgh, was forced to use a set list of texts, which included Silas Marner, Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Marmion, Quentin Durward, Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography, Macbeth, and the poetry of Robert Burns. Some students are still in contact. Would Prof. Hornberger consider Silas Marner—a rewarding if unhurried book, good for modern students—worthy of an anthology? Does not know who selected the list and was given no options, but was expected to read them and test the students on them. This is the limit of what a high school English class can be. If one hundred students read a great writer, about two of them will be affected deeply, and the other ninety-eight will not be injured by it. When reading the classics, there needs to be no distasteful argument of a writer's worth. All anthologies make this kind of argument, except for Field-Marshal Wavell's [ Other Men's Flowers: An Anthology of Poetry ], whose notes are sometimes better than even the selected work. Except for the glut of Browning's work, his selections are perfect. He loves The Hound of Heaven and expresses that. He fears neither Rommel nor erudition. PS: Please send a list of pieces in Volume One to aid in thinking about Volume Two.

• Letter ID: 1670
• Addressee: Beecher, Bishop George Allen
• Date: 1944-06-10
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

To Bishop George Beecher,  June 10, 1944 ; UNL 

How is it that retirement only meant he was taking up new work? Knew he would not be happy without working. He is a soldier for the Lord.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1670]

• Letter ID: 2037
• Addressee: Sedgwick, Ellery
• Date: 1944-06-07
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Willa Cather Collected Materials (MS008)

To Ellery Sedgwick,  June 7, 1944 ; UNL-Cather Collected 

Enjoyed his letter, but his memory failed him: "A Chance Meeting" was republished in Not Under Forty, and Sedgwick wrote a very pleasant review of it in the Atlantic Monthly. He understood Mrs. Fields and her milieu more than most. Van Wyck Brooks, who is usually so careful, even credited Cather with editing a book of Mrs. Whitman's letters; Miss Jewett was the one who did that. Had not heard the story of Henry James encountering Flaubert before, but recalls that James said he used to send Flaubert and Turgenev copies of his books and never got a response. It was big of James to divulge it.   Willa Cather 

• Letter ID: 1662
• Addressee: Beecher, Bishop George Allen
• Date: 1944-03-28
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

To Bishop George Beecher,  Mar. 28, 1944 ; UNL , copy, not original

Appreciates his Christmas letter about his missionary travels in western Nebraska. Wonderful to think of this being done when the light is so dimmed in the world. Often thinks about Grace Church and her confirmation there. Hand collapsed shortly after Christmas, when she was happily working on something new. Inflamed sheath of the large tendon of the right thumb. Knows there are rumors in Red Cloud that her entire right arm is paralyzed, but that is not true. When people stop taking pleasure in other people's misfortunes there will not be any more wars.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1662]

• Letter ID: 1651
• Addressee: Beecher, Bishop George Allen
• Date: 1943-12-25
• Repository: Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, Nebr.

To Bishop George Beecher,  Dec. 25, 1943, Christmas card ; HSNeb 

[Written beneath the cover picture of Canterbury Cathedral:] A bulwark of civilization for more than thirteen centuries. [Written under printed greeting inside:] He is still her bishop, though retired. [Written on left side, opposite printed greeting:] Has been rereading the Venerable Bede. Seem to be nearing a world lacking Christianity, which will mean putting out the light, leaving nothing but darkness and misery.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1651]

• Letter ID: 2442
• Addressee: Breslow, M. M.
• Date: 1943-12-01
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, J. Robert Sullivan Cather Collection (MS078)

To M. M. Breslow,  December 1, [1943] ; UNL-Sullivan 

Sending check for one dollar; too bothersome to write a check for seventy-five cents. Glad he liked Greenslet's book. It brought back joyful memories of Boston and London friends. Willa Cather. 

• Letter ID: 2036
• Addressee: Schossberger, Emily
• Date: 1943-09-10
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Willa Cather Collected Materials (MS008)

To Emily Schossberger [of the Prairie Schooner],  September 10, 1943 ; UNL-Cather Collected 

The claim in Miss Schossberger's second letter that Cather has published something in the Prairie Schooner is very confusing to her, for it is not true. Perhaps an editor resuscitated something she wrote when editing the Hesperian as a student, since the editors were also the writers, but nothing else has been in there. In fact, she knows very little about the Prairie Schooner altogether. Please show her what she wants to publish before doing so; one does not always appreciate seeing one's college essays in the later years.   Willa Cather 

• Letter ID: 1637
• Addressee: Beecher, Bishop George Allen
• Date: 1943-08-15
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

To Bishop George Allen Beecher, Aug. 15, [1943], from Asticou Inn, Northeast Harbor, Maine; UNL , copy, not original

Saw the tribute to him in the World Herald. Especially enjoyed the photos. Has had a trying summer, with New York heat, but is enjoying the cool weather here. Food scarce. Sorry to write with such a poor pen.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1637]

• Letter ID: 1627
• Addressee: Wyeth, Mabel Beeson
• Date: 1943-04-28
• Repository: Lincoln, Nebr. City Libraries, Jane Pope Geske Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors

To Mrs. [Mabel Beeson] Wyeth,  Apr. 28, 1943 ; LincCity 

Appreciates her letter and would agree to receive her books and sign them, but the number of such requests has made this a chore. Hurt tendon of right thumb a few years ago when signing copies of a special edition of Sapphira and the Slave Girl and is more careful now. Will sign three loose pages and send them.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1627]

• Letter ID: 1619
• Addressee: Beecher, Bishop George Allen
• Date: 1943-03-07
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

To Bishop George Beecher,  Mar. 7, 1943 ; UNL , copy, not original

Sorry not to have answered his two letters more fully. Recovery from gallbladder surgery has been difficult. Still not strong enough for the long train ride to Red Cloud, but has a little more energy than a few months ago. While in bed spent much of her time thinking about old friends.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1619]

• Letter ID: 1565
• Addressee: Sister Mary Agatha
• Date: 1941-12-23
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

To Sister Agatha,  Dec. 23, 1941 ; UNL , copy, not original

Yes, remembers Toby Tyler, which her grandmother used to read to her and her brothers when they were little. Did she ever read Talking Leaves?— a small, square book in similar format from same publisher. Enjoyed her students' newspaper. Wishing her a cheerful and holy Christmas, though it is hard to be cheerful these days.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1565]

• Letter ID: 1864
• Addressee: Cather, Elsie
• Date: 1941-09-04
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Susan J. and James Rosowski Cather Collection (MS228)

To Elsie Cather,  September 4, [1941?] ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Will write more when back in New York at the typewriter, but only Elsie can choose where to live because it is a personal decision, not a financial one. She should take her time during her year-long vacation to choose. Neither option is a bad one. Change is always unnerving. Found it so herself when she left Allegheny High School for New York and when she quit McClure's to write Alexander's Bridge. Best to explore a change without completely burning bridges. In the meantime, Elsie should enjoy her vacation. Plans rarely work perfectly; one should live one day at a time. Hopes she is enjoying fall in Nebraska.   W. 

• Letter ID: 1981
• Addressee: Cather, Elsie
• Date: 1941-03-23
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Philip L. and Helen Cather Southwick Collection (MS77)

To Elsie Cather,  March 23, 1941, partial letter; pages 2 and 3 missing ; UNL-Southwick 

Has taken a good while to reply to Elsie. Many friends have been dying, and has been dictating sympathy letters to exhaustion. Must take satisfaction from the nice words of the late Justice Holmes in the morning's New York Times [Henry Steele Commager, in "Justice Holmes in his Letters" (a review of The Holmes-Pollock Letters, ed. Mark DeWolfe Howe, New York Times, March 23, 1941, p. BR1, BR30), writes "Willa Cather moved him, 'unexpectedly and deeply.'"] Needs such kind comments now more than she did before. Was glad to hear about the house Elsie built in Lincoln. Agrees with Edith that it was a very intelligent decision. Also pleased that Elsie did not solicit her advice for the choice, as she understands little about the current conditions in Red Cloud and Lincoln. Willard Crowell persists in writing letters saying everything will work out and even persuaded her to let Witwer put a well in the Jewell County, Kansas, land after the creek ran dry. Ran a deficit because of it. Crowell seems to think she would be unfaithful if she did not pay the taxes on the land. This is all to illustrate how little she understands how things are in Webster County. . . . [pages 2 and 3 missing]  PS: Sorry that she was so noncommittal about coming to Red Cloud for Christmas. Her hand has worsened rather than improved, and traveling is a real burden. Since she cannot commit to coming to Red Cloud soon, Elsie should do what she wants with the house. The orthopedist from Boston, who only comes to New York a couple of times a month, is the only one who has been heartening. Enjoy your new house.  Willie 

• Letter ID: 1530
• Addressee: Beecher, Bishop George Allen
• Date: 1941-02-25
• Repository: Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, Nebr.

To Bishop George Allen Beecher,  Feb. 25, 1941 ; HSNeb 

He has probably heard about her hand problem. Used it too soon and had a relapse. Please address her by first name, as friends in Red Cloud do. Had a pleasant if not merry Christmas in the hospital. Enjoyed hearing the nurses speak French. Wishes she could have been in Red Cloud for the funeral of Mollie Ferris. One consolation for hand problem is she will be able to get to Lenten services more often than usual. Will be thinking about Grace Church and her Bishop.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1530]

• Letter ID: 1886
• Addressee: King, Hugh
• Date: 1941
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Susan J. and James Rosowski Cather Collection (MS228)

To Hugh King [agent(?) with Playmarket, Hollywood, California],  [1941] transcription, not original. ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Appreciates kind request, but will not allow her books to be dramatized or filmed. Likes going to movies, but prefers to stick to the written word and a more discriminating audience of readers. 

• Letter ID: 1940
• Addressee: Willard, May
• Date: 1940-12-30
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Susan J. and James Rosowski Cather Collection (MS228)

To May [Willard?],  December 30, 1940, from French Hospital signed by Sarah J. Bloom, and accompanied by a note in her hand reading, "Miss Cather dictated this letter to me on Sunday after Christmas, and I am hurrying it off without her corrections, as she still cannot use her right hand at all."; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Came to the French Hospital for hand problems several days ago, and May's Christmas wreath has been next to her bed since Christmas Eve. Though she told everyone not to send flowers, a few did come, and they were just right. Thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass in the chapel. This is the second time at the French Hospital and, to her surprise, is even more pleasant than the first. Is fortunate to be able to come to this hospital instead of going to a common New York hospital. Hears French spoken all daylong, which is sustaining in itself. Though the hospital is Catholic, the nuns do not do medical care. The nurses are Irish, French, and Italian women, and the head nurse is a Canadian Scotch Presbyterian. An Italian girl, Olympia Fumagalli, the nurse she sees the most, once flew to Chile with the Chilean President's wife on a military plane, then spent many weeks in Chile. All the women speak English. Especially likes the Irish nuns who were taught at a French convent and who bungle the French language as badly as she does. Will go home January 4, as Sigrid Undset is visiting January 11 and does not want to miss it. Will regret leaving the lovely, peaceful isolation of this place for the modern city. Hand is improving well, though mind is even better. The world of Hitler is erased in this lovely atmosphere of old and sustainable practices. Apologize for what is probably a confusing letter, one which she will not be able to revise, but the profound satisfaction of this quiet Christmas is hard to articulate. Happy New Year.   Willa Cather, per S. J. Bloom 

• Letter ID: 2176
• Addressee: Cather, Roscoe
• Date: 1940-12-20
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Roscoe and Meta Cather Collection (MS316)

To Roscoe Cather [from Sarah J. Bloom, secretary],  December 20, 1940, ; UNL-Roscoe 

Miss Cather is in a hospital in New York being treated for her damaged right hand. Her hand is bound and she cannot sign her name. Is at a good hospital, but wishes to keep it secret so flowers are not sent. Flowers are treated poorly in hospitals, and that is painful to see. Said to tell him the bottle of Benedictine he sent is safely put away and she will give it its due when she goes home. He can write to Miss Lewis if there is anything urgent. Merry Christmas. Miss Cather rather enjoys the retreat to the hospital in this season, especially with so much correspondence about the new book.   S. J. Bloom, Secretary.