"My love and greetings to the old friends of my own home town who are remembering me today. I think they know I would rather have their friendship than any other reward. When I was a child I loved my own town more than most children do, but I could not show it. I used to hope that some day I could make my town pleased with me. If I have succeeded it makes me very happy." Willa Cather [Stout #717]
What has she done to upset her so? Hasn't sent anything to Bess [prob. Elizabeth Seymour] or Auntie [Sarah Andrews] since she returned to New York. Hasn't written because she knew Douglass was there. Certainly did not mean to cause discord between her and father about the newspaper story about Margie [Argus, October 30, 1924; apparently following a story in one of the city newspapers in Nebraska]. It caused gossip, but isn't angry about it. Hasn't felt really angry toward her since they quarreled about Mrs. Garber. They've been growing closer and mustn't ruin that now. Hopes she and father will let her buy the house so they can pay Elsie to come live with them and look after them. Willa [Stout #771]
Is not related to Catherine D. Cather. Please inform the editor of Onward that she should not make such an assertion again. Willa Cather [Stout #859]
"For Carrie Sherwood. This was the first time I walked off on my own feet—everything before was half read and half an immitation [sic] of writers whom I admired. In this one I hit the home pasture and found that I was Yance Sorgeson [Sorgenson; Webster County farmer] and not Henry James. Willa Cather [Stout #922]
Sorry to have been slow answering, but has been away. Biography of Mary Baker Eddy was the product of a group of four or five staffers at McClure's. Merely brought together parts written by others. Was only an editor, not a writer. P.S.: Must not use her words in catalogs, and so on, which would be illegal. Willa Cather [Stout #1173]
Is sending a contribution toward the Red Cross quota for Webster County, which is appropriate since she owns land there. Has been out of the hospital for almost three weeks but still not well. Throat problem similar to the ones her mother used to have. P.S.: Prefers to write checks on her Chase Bank account because they will be returned for tax records. Glad to give to the Red Cross; one charity that does what it claims to do. Willie [Stout #1482]
Delayed answering his good letter because of incapacity to right hand. Always tries to avoid propagandizing in fiction. Doesn't believe even Dickens wrote for that purpose, though social reforms did result. Glad to hear young people like her books. Writes about people or places in which she has strong personal interest. Usually has a book considerably worked out in her mind before she begins to write. Then the writing is an enjoyable experience. Willa Cather [Stout #1525]
Sending some money for the Webster County Red Cross. Feeling better again. Yehudi and Nola and their two children live nearby, and they add to her life. Willie [Stout #1618]
Thanks for the box of bittersweet, which she has in a bowl in her bedroom. [several lines blacked out] Wishes they [?] would use Mari Sandoz's book instead of hers. Sandoz would like the publicity. Just wanted to warn her about these people. P.S.: Enclosing checks for the Red Cross and for the Ladies Guild of Grace Church. Willie [Stout #1678]
Sending a check for the Red Cloud Hospital Fund but wants the donation to be anonymous. Is glad the old house is being put to this use, though doesn't see the need when Hastings so readily accessible. Not sending more because still helps a good many causes in the county as well as nieces and nephews. Some nieces and nephews help her, too—such as when Helen Louise sent butter by air mail last winter when butter was unavailable in New York. Used to bring meat to her from New Jersey, too. Are returning to New York next week and will soon have apartment redone. Much love. Willie [Stout #1740]
