• Letter ID: 1926
• Addressee: Cather, Elsie
• Date: 1939-05-26
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Susan J. and James Rosowski Cather Collection (MS228)

To Elsie Cather,  May 26, 1939 ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Thanks for the letter about Easter in Red Cloud. It gave her a sense of being there among old friends herself. Has been thinking deeply about the other part of Elsie's letter—even took the letter to the Catskills to consider it. Has changed her previous position on the matter: Elsie should sell the house in Red Cloud and move to Lincoln if she wishes. Roscoe wrote a letter arguing why he felt Elsie ought to move to Lincoln, but she was already convinced. Had worried that Elsie would rashly get rid of something personally valuable, as she seemed to be so excited about renovation plans. Much of Elsie's correspondence over the years about the house seemed very animated, and she had disparaged Mrs. Frank Smith's decision to move away to Lincoln. Really believed Elsie loved the place. Now realizes how much has altered and how many people have left. Even the weather seems different (though Lincoln won't be much better). Elsie ought not to be burdened with the house for the sake of Douglass and herself. It will be a solace that the house wasn't sold before Douglass's last trip to Red Cloud. Will pay $250 a year on taxes as long as necessary, but wants Elsie to feel free to sell it. The old friends that appreciated Elsie's efforts are now mostly gone, anyway. If she herself were younger, would purchase it without hesitation. Elsie can get rid of it any way she chooses. Perhaps it would be easiest to leave it vacant and let drifters burn it down. At least it stood there for Douglass until the end.   Willa 

• Letter ID: 0557
• Addressee: Weisz, Irene Miner
• Date: 1921-10-31
• Repository: Newberry Library, Chicago

To Irene Miner Weisz,  Monday [Oct. 31, 1921] , from Lincoln ; Newberry 

Heard that some people in the audience thought she used the word "smart" to mean "shrewd." She meant it in the sense of style. Glad she came, because Dr. Tyndale enjoyed it.   Willa   [Stout #557]

• Letter ID: 1984
• Addressee: Cather, Mary Virginia (Jennie) Boak
• Date: 1928-04
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Philip L. and Helen Cather Southwick Collection (MS77)

To Mary Virginia Cather,  Sunday [April 1928?], from the Kahler hotel, Rochester, Minnesota ; UNL-Southwick 

Just arrived and will soon go to the [Mayo] clinic. The Kahler has been remodeled and is nicer than the Zumbro. Spoke at length about her with Elsie in Lincoln, and they decided that they will help out any time she wants to come. Will definitely be there herself if Elsie isn't able to arrange a year off. Lawn and shrubs of the yard are doing well. Is hiring Amos [?] to tend to the grass, and he and Floyd Twinnse [?] are going to plant tough zinnias where father had his flowers. The entire place will be pleasant and inviting, and Elsie's school is off in early June, so mother could return with Will Auld then. Lizzie is very willing to get the house in order. The Bishop and his wife think the house is lovely, and mother's friends want to see her again. Their devotion to mother is so touching; longs to return to Red Cloud herself—really! Mother should not despair, for she is better off than most her age, and her children are there for her. Aging is not easy, but her loving children and friends are committed to making her content.   Willie 

• Letter ID: 0007
• Addressee: Pound, Louise
• Date: 1891-09/1891-12
• Repository: Duke University, Durham, N.C.

To Louise Pound,  n.d. [probably fall 1891] , from 1029 L Street, Lincoln ; Duke 

Please drop by her room alone on Wednesday evening.   Willa Cather   [Stout #7]

• Letter ID: 0008
• Addressee: Gere, Mariel
• Date: 1891-11
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

To Mariel Gere,  n.d. [Nov. 1891?] note imitating a centered formal invitation, transcription by Bernice Slote ; UNL 

Please come to an informal supper at the rooms of William Cather, Jr., on November 26, 1891.   [Stout #8]

• Letter ID: 0054
• Addressee: Gere, Mariel
• Date: 1898-12-07
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

To Mariel Gere,  n.d. [Dec. 7, 1898] , excerpt transcribed by Bernice Slote ; UNL 

Dorothy Canfield is the "Real Thing." [allusion to story by Henry James.]   [Stout #54]

• Letter ID: 0498
• Addressee: Mellen, Mary Virginia Auld
• Date: 1920-02-21
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

To Mary Virginia Auld,  Feb. 21, [1920?] ; UNL 

Sending this note to Grandmother to keep for her. Recently a guest brought a marionette that walked in beside him and was so funny. Wanted a cigarette and fell down and sobbed when she said he was too young to smoke. Kissed her hand on the way out. Few real men are so charming. Has been going to operas with Zoë Akins. On Valentine's Day the apartment looked like a florist's shop.   Aunt Willie   [Stout #498]

• Letter ID: 0948
• Addressee: Goodman, Henry
• Date: 1928-10-13
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

To Professor Goodman,  Oct. 13, 1928 ; UNL , copy, not original

Friend who heard his radio talk liked what he had to say, but regretted he pronounced her name as if it were Kayther. Should rhyme with "gather" or "rather."   Willa Cather   [Stout #948]

• Letter ID: 1053
• Addressee: Hunter, Mrs. C. S.
• Date: 1931-06-06
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

To Mrs. C. S. Hunter [in Washington, Pa.],  June 6, 1931 ; UNL , copy, not original

Yes, is the daughter of Jennie Boak Cather. Mother had stroke and is in sanitarium. Father died four [sic] years ago. Remembers Aunt Susan Hackney and cousin Katy Gamble. Appreciates invitation to visit.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1053]

• Letter ID: 1216
• Addressee: Beecher, Bishop George Allen
• Date: 1934-02-13
• Repository: Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, Nebr.

To Bishop George Allen Beecher,  Feb. 13, [1934?] ; HSNeb 

Can he come to dinner with one of his parishioners [herself] on Wednesday, the 14th? Please telegraph response, as she shuts off the phone while working.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1216]

• Letter ID: 1314
• Addressee: Foerster, Norman
• Date: 1936-04-16
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Willa Cather Collected Materials (MS008)

To Norman Foerster,  Apr. 16, 1936 ; UNL , copy, not original

Glad he feels like recommending her for honorary degree, but would rather not. Has another one to accept the same week as Rockford College commencement. Early June will be a busy time. Glad to hear from him again.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1314]

• Letter ID: 1346
• Addressee: Crofts, Margaret
• Date: 1936
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

To Mrs. [Margaret?] Crofts,  [1936?] , Christmas card with picture of four cowboys or farmers, some sheep, and angels overhead ; UNL 

Doesn't like pictures like this, in the Grant Wood style, on Christmas cards, but bought them to help someone. Might think of the cowboy-looking shepherds as C.C.C. fellows [Civilian Conservation Corps, a New Deal initiative] and one of the angels above as President Roosevelt.   W. S. C.   [Stout #1346]

• Letter ID: 1437
• Addressee: Beecher, Bishop George Allen
• Date: 1939-02-22
• Repository: Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, Nebr.

To Bishop George Allen Beecher,  Ash Wednesday, 1939 [Feb. 22] ; HSNeb 

Thanks for his letter at Christmas. Still remembers the time he came to her apartment for dinner on Ash Wednesday. He has meant a great deal to her family. Sorry to hear about the injury to his eye. Always wishes the best to him and Mrs. Beecher.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1437]

• 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: 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: 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: 1871
• Addressee: Cather, Elsie
• Date: 1934-12-26
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Susan J. and James Rosowski Cather Collection (MS228)

To Elsie Cather,  December 26, 1934; telegram ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Is pleased Elsie is resting. If peace comes from fulfilling obligations completely, Elsie must have it. Elsie should do only what she likes during holidays. Wishes her happiness.   Willa 

• Letter ID: 1885
• Addressee:
• Date: 1928/1947
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Susan J. and James Rosowski Cather Collection (MS228)

Form Letter,  [1928-1947?] transcription, not original. ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

[Typewritten at the top: "FORM LETTER which we used during the past two or three years"] Miss Cather in California, so unnamed person [ Sarah Bloom? ] is handling correspondence. Cather consistent in her unwillingness to allow dramatic adaptations of her works. Two of her long-time friends, both popular actors, were even denied such rights. If the books were meant for drama, they would be quite different. 

• Letter ID: 1897
• Addressee: Cather, James
• Date: 1934-07-12
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Susan J. and James Rosowski Cather Collection (MS228)

To James Cather,  July 12 [1934?] ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Is writing from a bank vault, where she is doing some business before leaving for Canada. Must tell Jim something: would not respect him more if he hit it big in the oil business. Chance and accomplishment are not the same thing. To work a steady job and support one's family is an accomplishment. That is what Roscoe has done. Making money in gold or oil or stocks is just chance. Real accomplishment is only achieved with persistent hard work. Doesn't mean to lecture, but Jim mentioned he would like to tell her of an accomplishment, and he needs to know that working, staying healthy, and raising children is enough. Jim's children [Helen and Charles Cather], who seem wonderful, would not value their father more if he was rich. Californians value chance too much. Tell the children if they begin to evaluate people based upon their wealth instead of their character she will stop loving them. Doesn't believe it will come to that, but is sincere.   Willie 

• Letter ID: 1904
• Addressee: Cather, Charles F.
• Date: 1913-09
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Susan J. and James Rosowski Cather Collection (MS228)

To Charles F. Cather,  Monday [September 1913] ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Took a walk on the Peughtown road and searched the Cookes' field for the beautiful gum tree. Could not find it, but found plenty of briars and berry bushes. Rain for last five days, but is getting out anyway.   W