• Letter ID: 1773
• Addressee:
• Date: 1900/1905
• Repository: University of Vermont, Bailey-Howe Library, Burlington, Vt.

[To Dorothy Canfield Fisher?] ,  Undated handwritten poem in Cather's hand, titled "Equinox" ; UVt 

[This poem, which probably accompanied an unidentified letter to Dorothy Canfield Fisher, does not appear in Joan Crane's bibliography of Cather's works.]   [Stout #1773]

• Letter ID: 1811
• Addressee:
• Date: 1935/1947
• Repository: University of Vermont, Bailey-Howe Library, Burlington, Vt.

To [ Dorothy Canfield Fisher ],  n.d. [apparently, from scrawling handwriting, very late or from one of the earlier periods when she had problems with her hand] ; UVt 

Hates to admit that the grouch in the enclosed picture was one of her classmates. Doesn't actually remember him.   W.   [Stout #1811]

• Letter ID: 1895
• Addressee: Cather, Elsie
• Date: 1922-07
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Susan J. and James Rosowski Cather Collection (MS228)

To Bobbie [nickname for Elsie Cather],  [July 1922] ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Appreciates Elsie's letter about Claude [ One of Ours ] very much and is relieved it seemed right to her. Will someday tell her how that novel came about. Is enjoying herself [at the Bread Loaf campus of Middlebury College, Vermont] and is surrounded by a group of young men eager to help her in any way they can. One even gave her a typewriter and his cabin to work in. Lectures are exhausting, but well-received. After the first one several professors were in tears and amused Edith [Lewis] by telling her how striking Cather looked when she spoke. Enjoys it, but it is draining to provide such deep satisfaction. Tell mother that the scarf she sent at Christmas is being well-used and appreciated, though now dyed a different color. PS: Please say if she is going to stay home or not this winter.  Willie 

• Letter ID: 0058
• Addressee: Fisher, Dorothy Canfield
• Date: 1899-10-10
• Repository: University of Vermont, Bailey-Howe Library, Burlington, Vt.

To Dorothy Canfield,  Oct. 10, 1899 from 1176 Murray Hill, Pittsburgh ; UVt 

Is studying Greek and being treated like a goddess. Hasn't seen the Nevins, but they have phoned and he has sent a copy of Shakespeare's sonnets. In Chicago had dinner with Mr. Dooley. He and the Peatties encouraged her to come there to work. Mrs. Peattie's new story in Atlantic ["The Man at the Edge of Things," reviewed by Cather Nov. 4] establishes her as a writer. Was met at the train station by Isabelle, looking beautiful. They have been walking in the hills and going to concerts. Has read all of Dorothy's letters from Paris. Had a nice visit with May Willard last night. P.S.: Will tell her about Alfred next time.  Willa   [Stout #58]

• Letter ID: 0068
• Addressee: Fisher, Dorothy Canfield
• Date: 1901-03
• Repository: University of Vermont, Bailey-Howe Library, Burlington, Vt.

To Dorothy Canfield,  n.d. [Mar. 1901] , from Pittsburgh ; UVt 

Has finished first month of teaching, but may quit and go home to Red Cloud. So much effort, if one is serious about it, for so little pay. The "letters" have been rejected [projected book of open letters to actors]. Just as well; they were overwritten and not of lasting interest. Maybe some can be placed in the Critic, with Dorothy's help. "Jack-a-Boy" in the Saturday Evening Post with good illustrations. Has been reading Lemaître. McClungs have moved into new house. Would like to discuss the Pittsburgh novel. [Two poems are enclosed: "Caliban" and "The Inexorable."]   Willie   [Stout #68]

• Letter ID: 0071
• Addressee: Fisher, Dorothy Canfield
• Date: 1901-12-13
• Repository: University of Vermont, Bailey-Howe Library, Burlington, Vt.

To Dorothy Canfield,  n.d. [pm. Dec. 13, 1901] , from Pittsburgh ; UVt 

Hopes she can schedule her visit earlier, as school begins January 2. English now a major subject because of her, and must uphold responsibility. But come any time. Very eager to see her.    Willa   [Stout #71]

• Letter ID: 0072
• Addressee: Fisher, Dorothy Canfield
• Date: 1902-05
• Repository: University of Vermont, Bailey-Howe Library, Burlington, Vt.

To Dorothy Canfield,  n.d. [May 1902] ; UVt 

Examinations to begin soon. Will sail the 14th from Philadelphia, be in England until mid-to late July, depending on when she can meet them in Paris. Why has Dorothy been reading old Hesperians? Is not proud of her writing in them. Was not happy during that time. Hopes she likes new verses ["Lament for Marsyas" and "Hawthorn Tree"].  P.S.: Plan to go to Shropshire.  Willa   [Stout #72]

• Letter ID: 0073
• Addressee: Fisher, Dorothy Canfield
• Date: 1902-07-06
• Repository: University of Vermont, Bailey-Howe Library, Burlington, Vt.

To Dorothy Canfield,  July 6, 1902 from Ludlow, Shropshire, England ; UVt 

[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]

• Letter ID: 0075
• Addressee: Fisher, Dorothy Canfield
• Date: 1902-08-07
• Repository: University of Vermont, Bailey-Howe Library, Burlington, Vt.

To Dorothy Canfield,  Thursday [Aug. 7, 1902] from American Express office in Paris, postcard ; UVt 

Has taken pictures to be developed, shopped with Miss [Evelyn] Osborne for underclothes, and overeaten on Mme Sibut's excellent fish. Please scold the laundress who failed to return a set of underwear.    Willa   [Stout #75]

• Letter ID: 0077
• Addressee: Fisher, Dorothy Canfield
• Date: 1902-09-24
• Repository: University of Vermont, Bailey-Howe Library, Burlington, Vt.

To Dorothy Canfield,  Sept. 24, 1902 from Liverpool ; UVt 

Enjoyed their day at Oxford. Jealousy on the part of the two people in Paris must have been what caused the grief. She seemed strange there as well.    Willie   [Stout #77]

• Letter ID: 0080
• Addressee: Fisher, Dorothy Canfield
• Date: 1903-03-29
• Repository: University of Vermont, Bailey-Howe Library, Burlington, Vt.

To Dorothy Canfield,  Saturday [pm. Mar. 29, 1903] from Pittsburgh ; UVt 

Sorry to cancel visit, but must keep at work on stories, then going to New York to try to arrange book publication. Still regrets misunderstanding in the fall. Some of the stories good, but "Paul's Case" shows haste and "Pilgrim Joy" has to be discarded and replaced. Cycle will be two painter stories, one actor, one sculptor, one musician, one musical study, one writer, and one case of an artistic temperament without talent, and Fulvia. Title to be The Troll Garden, with epigraph from Charles Kingsley to explain. So wishes to come see her. Please apologize to parents. Wants her and Mrs. Canfield to read Phaedra story.  P.S.: Mrs. McClung has been ill. Has scarcely had an evening to herself to work.  Willie   [Stout #80]

• Letter ID: 0085
• Addressee: Fisher, Dorothy Canfield
• Date: 1903-05-15/1903-05-20
• Repository: University of Vermont, Bailey-Howe Library, Burlington, Vt.

To Dorothy Canfield,  n.d. [c. May 15–20, 1903] ; UVt 

As a result of Dorothy's having written to her [Cather's] mother, has had the first letter from her that she could bear to read in two years. They may yet make peace. Isabelle and Edith away on a fishing trip to West Virginia. Sarah Harris has written denouncing the "animalism" of April Twilights—must be crazy. Is tired from parties and work. Is Mrs. Canfield painting? Has she read "The Better Sort" [volume of short stories by Henry James, pub. 1903]? Very complex and obscure.    Willie   [Stout #85]

• Letter ID: 0090
• Addressee: Fisher, Dorothy Canfield
• Date: 1903-07-13
• Repository: University of Vermont, Bailey-Howe Library, Burlington, Vt.

To Dorothy Canfield,  July 13, 1903 from Cheyenne, Wyo. ; UVt 

She and Douglass have been enjoying their visit, but can feel the difference the years make. Has been made head of the English department at Allegheny High School at $1400 a year. Had to take a competitive exam. Hasn't been to Red Cloud yet.   Willie   [Stout #90]

• Letter ID: 0091
• Addressee: Fisher, Dorothy Canfield
• Date: 1903-11-06
• Repository: University of Vermont, Bailey-Howe Library, Burlington, Vt.

To Dorothy Canfield,  Nov. 6, 1903 from Pittsburgh ; UVt 

Why didn't she tell her Dr. Canfield was in town? Has been shut in with a cold. Enjoys teaching but would prefer lower-class students who were used to working. When will Dorothy's children's story be published? Is her brother's new baby a boy or a girl? Edith [Isabelle's sister] is having coming-out parties.    Willie   [Stout #91]

• Letter ID: 0092
• Addressee: Fisher, Dorothy Canfield
• Date: 1903-11-27
• Repository: University of Vermont, Bailey-Howe Library, Burlington, Vt.

To Dorothy Canfield,  Friday [Nov. 27, 1903] ; UVt 

Still sorry not to have seen her father. Has seen Minnie Maddern Fiske in Hedda Gabler [ Ibsen ], with Isabelle. Has been to many concerts. Can't be up past ten on a school night or won't be any good in the classroom. Many parties for Edith [McClung]. Has written about 40,000 words of a new manuscript; not ready to talk about it yet. Had a happy Thanksgiving dinner last night; Judge McClung away.    Willie   [Stout #92]

• Letter ID: 0093
• Addressee: Fisher, Dorothy Canfield
• Date: 1904-02
• Repository: University of Vermont, Bailey-Howe Library, Burlington, Vt.

To Dorothy Canfield,  Thursday [ [Feb. 1904?] ] ; UVt 

Is something wrong? Is she ill? Isabelle had diphtheria while in Boston in January and is still weak. Please write. Hopes to have a finished manuscript to ask her to read soon.    Willie   [Stout #93]

• Letter ID: 0094
• Addressee: Fisher, Dorothy Canfield
• Date: 1904-03
• Repository: University of Vermont, Bailey-Howe Library, Burlington, Vt.

To Dorothy Canfield,  n.d. [Mar. 1904] ; UVt 

Sorry they have had a misunderstanding. Sorry to be so often cross and ungracious; behaved badly two years ago in Europe. Felt inferior, not understanding French. Teaching wears on her disposition. Has not written a line of poetry in months. Others say she has become unfeeling. Has been to a doctor to see if there is a physical cause. Is paying now for not tearing away from happiness in Pittsburgh four years ago. Appreciates comments on "A Wagner Matinee" [Everybody's Magazine, Feb. 1904]. Spirits low; escapes by working. Please wait until these low spirits are gone before eloping with a tenor, if that's what she wants! Sorry to have written such a self-revealing letter all about feelings, but is trying to be honest. P.S.: Can't talk about the McClung household, of course, but it is wearing, too.  Willie   [Stout #94]

• Letter ID: 0096
• Addressee: Fisher, Dorothy Canfield
• Date: 1904-03
• Repository: University of Vermont, Bailey-Howe Library, Burlington, Vt.

To Dorothy Canfield,  n.d. [Mar. 1904?] ; UVt 

Generous of her to say she understands that incoherent letter. Likes the first part of Dorothy's boy story better than the last, where it spells things out too much. "A Wagner Matinee" has stirred up a hornet's nest, led by Will Jones. Will write another and make them even madder.    Willie   [Stout #96]

• Letter ID: 0097
• Addressee: Fisher, Dorothy Canfield
• Date: 1904-03/1904-04
• Repository: University of Vermont, Bailey-Howe Library, Burlington, Vt.

To Dorothy Canfield,  Saturday [Mar. or Apr. 1904] ; UVt 

Thanks for sharing what Miss Roseboro' said about the stories. Roseboro's own are a sentimental muddle. Best wishes for Dorothy's doctoral exam in May. Hopes to get to Vermont this summer. Will mainly be in New York near or with Edith Lewis. Hopes to finish novel there. Might take an English course at Columbia, if there is one in the summer. Isabelle still droopy from bad throat. Parents [Cather's] have just moved into a new, roomier house and want her to come help select furnishings, but she needs to finish the novel for McClure.   Willie   [Stout #97]

• Letter ID: 0098
• Addressee: Fisher, Dorothy Canfield
• Date: 1904-05
• Repository: University of Vermont, Bailey-Howe Library, Burlington, Vt.

To Dorothy Canfield,  Sunday [May 1904] ; UVt 

Sorry not to have been more sensitive about the doctoral exam, but doesn't understand Ph.D.s. Now realizes it was an ordeal. Expects to be in New York about June 28 and hopes she can come down. Hasn't decided whether the novel is worth rewriting. Hopes to go abroad with Isabelle again next year. May yet go to Red Cloud this summer. Has had two nice visits with the Willards. Exams to begin soon at school, so will be busy.   Willie   [Stout #98]