• Letter ID: 1579
• Addressee: Akins, Zoë
• Date: 1942-04-28
• Repository: Huntington Library, San Marino, Ca.

To Zoë Akins,  Apr. 28, [1942], from New York ; Huntington 

Roses and camellias arrived just as she was giving a dinner party for an old friend and gave a magic touch to the occasion. Roscoe has been ill again, this time with pneumonia, and nearly died. Hasn't been able to go see him because has been in hospital herself. Roscoe really the only family she has left; other two brothers not close. [Doesn't mention sister.] March and April terrible months to live through. Hope she continues enjoying her house and garden.   Willa   [Stout #1579]

• Letter ID: 1636
• Addressee: Southwick, Helen Louise Cather
• Date: 1943-07-22
• Repository: Yale University, Beinecke Library, New Haven, Conn.

To Helen Cather Southwick,  July 22, 1943, from Asticou Inn, Northeast Harbor, Maine, extract made by E. K. Brown ; Beinecke 

Please do not send any of her letters on to her brothers and sisters, who usually seem to misunderstand her.   [Stout #1636]

• Letter ID: 2110
• Addressee: Cather, Roscoe
• Date: 1934-07-02
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Roscoe and Meta Cather Collection (MS316)

To Roscoe Cather,  July 2, [1934?] ; UNL-Roscoe 

His kind letter needs a quick reply. Planned to pay for the trip all along, and only wanted him to give it some study. His grand offer, though, shall be accepted in the noble manner with which it was offered. He reminds her of their father. All her brothers have a portion of father's graciousness, even Jim, which makes them more gentlemanly than average. Is certain Roscoe's daughters have noticed. Weather in New York is very hot, but must stay until mid-July. Has remained in the city in order to finish the book, and did so. Moreover, the Woman's Home Companion paid a fine price for the serial rights, and it will run there between April and September of 1935. [Lucy Gayheart appeared in the Woman's Home Companion in five parts, from March to July 1935.] The book will have to wait for publication until September 1935, of course. [Lucy Gayheart was published on August 1, 1935.] Scribners made an offer, too, but it was only half the Crowell company's offer, since their circulation is so limited. Money is the only reason to publish serially. There used to be clout in getting items placed in quality magazines, but there are no magazines of quality left.   Willie. 

• Letter ID: 1080
• Addressee: Austin, Mary Hunter
• Date: 1931-10-22
• Repository: Huntington Library, San Marino, Ca.

To Mary Austin,  Oct. 22, 1931 ; Huntington 

Little wonder Austin has lost track of her. Hopes to be in New Mexico within the next year; they have much to talk about. Will consider donating for preservation of Spanish crafts when economy improves, but just now is helping two brothers plus others who are hard hit. Is sorry to hear her eyes are troubling her.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1080]

• Letter ID: 1545
• Addressee: Sherwood, Carrie Miner
• Date: 1941-06-14
• Repository: Willa Cather Pioneer Memorial and Educational Foundation

To Carrie Miner Sherwood,  June 14, 1941 ; WCPM 

Has read her letter several times. Is glad she and Mary will be together next winter. Will come to Red Cloud in the fall to see them, but wants to keep it a secret from anyone else. Need time together to forget destruction the world is undergoing. Is leaving for California in a few days, Edith going along since she still can't fasten her own corsets etc. Will use this for their summer vacation instead of going to Grand Manan. Doesn't feel up to going to southern California to see brothers Jim and Jack and families. P.S.: Please tell Mrs. Stockman, appreciated her letter.  Willie   [Stout #1545]

• Letter ID: 1743
• Addressee: Southwick, Helen Louise Cather
• Date: 1946-10-24
• Repository: Yale University, Beinecke Library, New Haven, Conn.

To Helen Louise Cather Southwick,  Oct. 24, 1946 extract made by E. K. Brown; Beinecke 

Believes she will be the kind of mother her grandmother was—that is, Cather's mother. Took care of her seven children but let them be their own persons and keep their own souls.   [Stout #1743]

• Letter ID: 2072
• Addressee: Cather, Roscoe
• Date: 1914-07-14
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Roscoe and Meta Cather Collection (MS316)

To Roscoe Cather,  July 14, [1914] from Red Cloud, Nebraska ; UNL-Roscoe 

Had wonderful time in Maine, then spent a few days in Chicago for reasons of work before coming to Red Cloud. Plans to visit him in Wyoming, but doesn't know when. Affairs in Red Cloud are pretty messy. James has convinced father to invest in a lot of farm buildings and equipment, but has no interest in doing the work of a farm. All Jim cares about is bossing Jack around and worrying their parents. He persists in nagging father, and, of course, father can't refuse but is worried sick. Thankfully Douglass's work prevents the situation from absolutely crushing their father, but it feels like a return to the hard times of 1893 after so many better years. Isn't at all sure what actually belongs to Jim and what he has just claimed for himself.   Willa. 

• 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: 0015
• Addressee: Gere, Mariel
• Date: 1893-08-01
• Repository: Willa Cather Pioneer Memorial and Educational Foundation

To Mariel Gere,  Aug. 1, 1893 from Red Cloud, Nebr. ; WCPM 

Has been lonely since Louise's visit. Tried to bribe James to leave them alone. Spent a few days at uncle's home near other families from Virginia. Aunt hosted a "literary" at which a truly atrocious singer did twelve songs. Climbed the windmill in the evening and enjoyed the sight of moonlight glistening on ponds and corn tassels. Had to pull off skirts to climb down when a storm approached. Roscoe away haying, but when he gets back they will go up the river to their island. Baby brother Jack has been ill. Please greet a certain blonde [Louise?] if she sees her. Drove her about the countryside with one hand or none, but she didn't object. Still dreams about it. Don't read that part to Ned [Ellen] and Frances.    Cather   [Stout #15]

• Letter ID: 2137
• Addressee: Cather, Roscoe
• Date: 1938-11-06
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Roscoe and Meta Cather Collection (MS316)

To Roscoe Cather,  November 6, [1938], on letterhead of The Shattuck Inn, Jaffrey, NH ; UNL-Roscoe 

Of course she worries about him when he is gullible enough to listen to a silver-tongued insurance agent. The New York doctors she spoke with believe his hemorrhages were the result of poor surgical expertise. He should have gone to the Mayo Clinic at the outset, as doctors there are quite experienced and mainly consider patients' long-term wellness. They refused to remove her appendix because it would have drained her too much. Out of similar concern, they did not operate on Dorothy Canfield's extremely ugly goiter. Roscoe has one sweet shortcoming: he is apt to place too much confidence in people. She won't interfere when he puts his money at risk, such as when he trusts his two brothers too much, but won't let him risk his only body. Is spending time now alone at the inn where she has been so productive in the past: My Ántonia and A Lost Lady were completed there, and Death Comes for the Archbishop was started. Her best work was done there. Isabelle first introduced her to the place. Isabelle's death, right on the heels of Douglass's, has been devastating. For thirty-eight years, Isabelle was more invested in her writing than any other person. Has herself felt too intensely about different places and people; that pouring out of emotion will finally wreck her. But it has been the wellspring of her writing. People refer to her elegant manner, but not many understand that the intensity behind the plain language is what really matters. Figured out a long time ago that if one cared deeply enough about the subject, one could write simply and quietly and yet engage people's feelings, even people reading in different languages—Hungarian and Romanian being the most recent of her translations. That's the main thing: to be honest and to love whatever one writes about. Never tried to develop that; in fact, tried to curtail it since she was twenty years old. That effort to repress emotion is what gave her a decent literary voice, and voice simply means the writer's self, his character and history. Isabelle saw her at every stage of working this out. Now has little left to draw on and can only work an hour and half each day, which she does to flee from herself. The words don't come as simply and precisely as they used to. May recover, who knows? The current book has kept getting broken off by sickness and death; stays with it not for the sake of the novel itself, but for the solace of losing herself in writing, something that has been completely engrossing to her. This is the first long letter she has written to anyone other than the devastated Jan Hambourg.   W. 

• Letter ID: 2140
• Addressee: Cather, Roscoe
• Date: 1938
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Roscoe and Meta Cather Collection (MS316)

To Roscoe Cather,  [1938?] ; UNL-Roscoe 

Was consoled by his letter, both because it contains good news about his health and because he admitted his vulnerability. She is vulnerable herself: has not written to him more often because whenever she does—or writes to other family members—is overwhelmed by guilt over her negligence through the years: she should have shown more care to their parents, should not have spent an evening of Douglass's brief visit to New York meeting with her British publisher. Her life is full of such failures. But did not so much try to build a career as try not to have to ask her father or any other member of the family ever to send money to support an endeavor so foreign to them. Wasted a lot of time that way. During three long summer visits, witnessed Jim pressing father so hard to start him in business that he hid in the bathroom. Hated to see that, but perhaps avoiding such nagging cost her something more important. To answer his question: her health is improving. Was having trouble sleeping, had shaking hands, and hair falling out in clumps. Apparently, such things can come from anxiety. Is now sleeping better and hands not trembling, but still feels down. Surprisingly, Alfred Knopf, such a wonderful friend and colleague, gave her the only recent snapshots of Douglass she has. He took them with his small Leica without Douglass even realizing it. They're not of high quality, so Alfred didn't give them to her until after Douglass died. Please share one with Elsie and send a copy of the account of its origin. Retain a copy, and send one to Jack and another to Jim. Elsie reports that he has books of hers that belonged to Douglass. He can send one to Jack and one to Jim, but only ones with inscriptions to Douglass. Wants to avoid their use by club women. Please keep the others. Please inform Margaret that she is glad for her happiness. Only a year ago was invigorated by the presence of five young playmates—twins in summer, Menuhins in winter. Now all have married. Has to keep at the new book begun last fall, even though the energy has drained out of it. But consistent work hours are the one way she may get to feeling like herself again. Both Alfred and Dr. Garbat concur on that point. Correspondence is difficult. Will send Margaret a wedding present soon. Is leaving after September 15, but does not yet know where she is going. Is writing on the old typewriter Douglass got for her thirty years ago when the three of them were all in Cheyenne. It has been damaged by the ocean air, though Ralph has tried to fix it up with mechanic's tools.   Willie. 

• Letter ID: 0310
• Addressee: Sergeant, Elizabeth Shepley
• Date: 1915-06-27
• Repository: Pierpont Morgan Library, New York

To Elizabeth Shepley Sergeant,  June 27, [1915], from New York ; PM 

Has just read her essay on Provence in Century. Is busy with proofs. Jack is off in Maine. A musical critic is reading galleys and is enthusiastic, especially about the singing lessons. Would have felt bad if those hadn't been right! Has she seen Henry James's article about Mrs. Fields in the June Atlantic? Isn't she disappointed in Owen Wister's novel? [Pentecost of Calamity, 1915] P.S.: Loves her khaki outfit for the cliff dwellings— reminds her of Kurt's outfit in Fidelio [ Beethoven ].  Willa   [Stout #310]

• Letter ID: 1858
• Addressee: Cather, Elsie
• Date: 1935-01
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Susan J. and James Rosowski Cather Collection (MS228)

To Elsie Cather,  [January? 1935] ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Expected to hear that Elsie had been struggling with wintry weather, but her letter was tenderly beautiful.  Elsie gave Bess a lovely funeral.  How appropriate to have a Christmas tree as Bess decorated so many for children.  Would have liked to have been there.  Read Elsie's letter repeatedly and then sent it to Virginia, but directed her to return it.  Elsie paid the debt all the Cather siblings owe to Bess.  Wants to pay for the roses and any remaining funeral expenses.  Will ought to have whatever money Bess left.  Life is hard to understand:  deserving people get such small rewards.  Gave Mrs. Lambrecht and Annie [Pavelka?] good holidays and purchased winter feed for Annie's stock.  Sent fifty dollars to Jack, wrote the Bishop and Mollie and Gertrude Coon, and gave nieces ten dollars each.  Is enclosing a historical Christmas card from the Society Library. Happy New Year.   Willie 

• Letter ID: 1853
• Addressee: Cather, Elsie
• Date: 1923
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Susan J. and James Rosowski Cather Collection (MS228)

To Elsie Cather,  [1923?] fragment, starts on page three; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

. . . Can borrow money but doesn't want to.  Hopes Elsie will watch over things and get father to buy what is needed.  Doesn't want parents to deprive themselves in order to send her money—though he did give a lot to Jack and Jim.  Has warm affection for home, despite occasional irritation.  Will Elsie please show Margie snapshots of Isabelle's French home.  Will visit there soon.  [Cather sailed for France April 1, 1923.]  Margie kept asking to see them—so once again the family will cater to her whims.  The tower shown in the picture is for doves and rabbits.   Willa 

• Letter ID: 1749
• Addressee: Brown, E. K.
• Date: 1947-01-24
• Repository: Yale University, Beinecke Library, New Haven, Conn.

To E. K. Brown,  Jan. 24, 1947 ; Beinecke 

Does not yet know plans for spring and summer. Anticipates being in California for part of that time to see two brothers [Jack and James]. Will hope to meet with him when he is in town. Would have many things to talk about—such as the new edition of Shakespeare that cuts out what the editor considers unimportant. Does not want writers like John Dos Passos to be legally stopped from writing as they want, but wishes law would stop editors who tamper with classics. Brandeis's death a great loss to the work of the Supreme Court. Spent many evenings at his home during years in Boston and often saw the Brandeises at the opera. Was introduced to Mrs. James T. Fields by Mrs. Brandeis, who was a fine and intelligent woman in her own right. Life sometimes seems dreary when one thinks about the people who have gone. Remembers William Archer well; remembers being in Lady Gregory's box with him the night the Abbey players made their London debut. Saw Synge's The Playboy of the Western World. Archer helped open her mind to new kinds of theatrical drama. Looks forward to discussing their personal values when he comes to New York.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1749]

• Letter ID: 2135
• Addressee: Cather, Roscoe
• Date: 1938-06-29
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Roscoe and Meta Cather Collection (MS316)

To Roscoe Cather,  June 29, 1938 ; UNL-Roscoe 

Wants to tell him of few things confidentially: 1) Is sending a letter from Mary Virginia with a marked passage he should read. Did not, nor did Edith hear Douglass mention a will that time, but they perhaps missed it amid the laughter and conversation. Certainly Mary Virginia would not make it up, so she must have heard something. He could have been speaking only figuratively, though, to explain his concern. Must be honest in recalling the speech of a man who can speak no more. 2) Went with Douglass to Tiffany's to pick out a bracelet for Miss Rogers, but not one in the case was attractive. Suggested Douglass consider one of the lovely rings, but he thought it a little too committal. While at the sanitarium, saw Miss Rogers often, and she seemed inoffensive enough. She wasn't dumb, could do her job well, was polite, and was prettier than Douglass's other sweethearts. Douglass was coming on strong with her, and she seemed to like him, too. He told her the spring before their mother died that he was thinking about marrying Miss Rogers. Did not object. It is difficult for a young working woman to bear six or seven years of courting. Believes she lost her job at Las Encinas because of gossip about her and Douglass. Never considered Miss Rogers as someone who was after Douglass's money; she behaved like a woman who believes she is in love with a man and wants to please him. In the subsequent six years or so Miss Rogers may have worsened; such an unsettled relationship is wearing for a woman her age. She is definitely worse off now than when Douglass first met her: she's lost several jobs, been gossiped about, and is now past thirty (which makes it harder to get a job and get married). Hopes Douglass was openhanded with her when he was alive, for his will does not repay all she's lost. Jessica and Elsie, who are now so upset, were a burden to Douglass in the years Miss Rogers was a comfort. Does not mind if Douglass treated her lavishly, as she did more for him than his own family did. They should look at this from her perspective. Wouldn't Roscoe be troubled if one of his own daughters was treated like that? The letter from Elsie, which she has enclosed, speaks for itself. Miss Rogers was a decent young woman in those years, and she trusted Douglass's devotion even if it did not profit her. 3) Doesn't want to write about the next topic, but feels obligated to: all of Jim's letters since he left Nebraska to work with Douglass reek of betrayal except the one since Douglass's death. He complains endlessly that Douglass duped him out of his share of their father's estate! Has told Jim that she would trust Douglass with her own money at the drop of a hat. The few recent ones—maybe two a year—also whined that he was treated like an underling when he understood the oil industry perfectly well. He didn't believe the oil industry took any expertise, just luck, and he planned to speculate independent from Douglass. Roscoe would be affected by these letters as much as she. She thought they were so spiteful, she only kept them a few days before destroying them. Jim has positive qualities and she is very fond of him when he is near, but he is arrogant and provoked by a malicious wife full of cheap aspirations. Knows that Ethel was understanding with Jim for a good while, but when she soured, she turned to poison. It is Roscoe's duty to prevent these angry, self-centered women from harming Miss Rogers any further. Their father would have been kind toward her. If Miss Rogers has a different version of the will that is fully legal, it must be honored. Elsie's theory that Miss Rogers goaded Douglass into drinking is silly. All knew his heart was weak, and he wasn't the kind of man that retired to his bed. He liked a drink, as it allowed him to feel more lighthearted about his future. He was pushing away his fears with his drinking. 4) Usually does not reveal the secrets of others, but thought Roscoe needed to understand Jim's character. Neither he nor Jack should be trusted very far. Better to place confidence in Douglass's business partners. Jack is sweet, but careless and now too old to change. Jim never could handle serious men; his type is Roy Oatman or Russell Amack. Douglass's partners aren't sophisticated men, but they understand the oil business. Will not write about this any more. Is soon going to Grand Manan with no typewriter or secretary. Knows that Roscoe wants to support Jim and Jack, but he should keep in mind Jim's disloyalty to Douglass while Douglass lived. Jim treats his children well, but he doesn't seem to love them more than Douglass did. When acquainted with Miss Rogers, did not think she was pursuing men, but her career. During the trip to Caliente, she never behaved vulgarly, but was a straightforward, smart Western woman. She didn't moon over Douglass, and was always well-behaved. Is grieved to see her life ruined. Roscoe should act as their father would have. P.S.: After reading Elsie's letter, get rid of it.  Willie. 

• Letter ID: 2074
• Addressee: Cather, Roscoe
• Date: 1916-08-20
• Repository: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Roscoe and Meta Cather Collection (MS316)

To Roscoe Cather,  Sunday [August 20, 1916] , on 5 Bank Street letterhead, but written from Red Cloud ; UNL-Roscoe 

Hasn't had a minute to herself until now. Had to give a talk at Gertie Coon's Institute. Loves to play with West Virginia—such a lovely, fascinating child. Virginia's grandmother pretends to be a disciplinarian, but really spoils her. Virginia has seemed to want to go home only once, when she saw father without his dentures and started crying. Virginia will be a challenge to raise as she is headstrong and doesn't have a good sense of priorities: will ruin an entire picnic because she couldn't wear a particular ribbon in her hair, though in fact she is indifferent to hair ribbons and loves the idea of the picnic. She seems unable to give in. However, after a big fight with her grandmother about whether it is acceptable to play in the rain barrel while wearing a nice white dress, she is pleasant and not bitter. And Douglass agrees that she has such a delightful voice. Roscoe ought to be firm with her when she gets passionate over small matters. People who lack proper perspective live muddled lives. However, that's really the only improvement she needs. Otherwise, she is very appealing: a smart girl, who will likely respond to guidance. Her grandmother won't be any help, though, as so many of her days have also been spoiled over trifles. Mary Virginia and Tom, despite their upbringing, know they can't be bothersome or they won't be tolerated by their adult aunts and uncles. Doesn't have any idea what Jim's plans are—who could?—, but they should let Virginia stay awhile. Everyone enjoys her company. Loves seeing the way their unsentimental mother keeps looking in on Virginia after she is asleep. Misses Margaret and Elizabeth very much and wishes they could read letters. Please get copies of the photographs of her with the twins made soon so she can mail them to people like Jack and Isabelle. Felt so bleak when she first went to Lander and left feeling revived. The twins took her mind off problems, and taking horseback rides with Roscoe was invigorating and heartening. Had secretly feared that she and Meta would not get along, but found it a real pleasure to become friends with her. Was so relieved, and really feels now that she and Meta could be companionable even on a long trip with the twins. Should have come to Lander long ago. Misses the twins terribly. Wonders if they enjoy Isabelle's gift of a stuffed bear? P.S. Remember to send the pictures!  Willie.