Appreciated her long letter. Missed Mr. Gere during her visit to Lincoln. Spent a week in Cheyenne with Douglass and a week camping in the Black Hills with Roscoe, then four weeks in Red Cloud helping her father around the new house. Jessie expecting a baby. Mrs. Garber still charming but sad from missing Mr. Garber, though he was a care. Wishes she could live in the West. Getting settled into school work again. Love to Mrs. Gere and to Ellen and Frances, and greetings to the Joneses and others. Willa [Stout #107]
Has been knocking about the West for two weeks. Sorry to hear she is ill. Hopes she will rest up so she can get back to writing. The West so big it is almost frightening. Used to fear she would never escape it. Visited the Bohemian area while in Red Cloud and believes the story catches it just right. Winslow is unattractive; not so nice as New Mexico. Houses are flimsy, her brother's is tiny. Can't write there. Believes she [Cather] could work in Albuquerque. Please try to write clearly when she writes. It is often hard to read her script. Willa S. C. [Stout #221]
Will be glad to assist with autobiography. Is enjoying her trip, especially seeing pueblos and cliff dwellings. A wonderful part of the world. Planning to see a Moki [Hopi] snake dance and go into Mexico with Douglass. News of the Titanic is shocking. Willa Cather [Stout #222]
Has just learned of Mrs. Gere's death. Hard to believe. Can still hear her laughter at the pretensions of young people. Benefited from that laugh when she was an unpolished country girl. Always coveted Mrs. Gere's good opinion. Health is better; is visiting Douglass. Willa Cather [Stout #223]
People are ultimately more interesting than scenery. Feels restless when the wind keeps her from going riding. Douglass has been on a run for three days, leaving her with a brakeman named Tooker, who keeps house and goes off drinking at night. A big talker. Has been target-shooting with a pistol and may use Tooker for a target if he doesn't drop the polysyllabics. Mainly enjoying the Mexicans in the area, who live south of the train tracks in a delightful village. Hopes to go to Flagstaff and see cliff dwellings tomorrow. W. S. C. [Stout #224]
[Note by Sergeant indicates that Edith Lewis asked her to withhold this letter from the library.] So much has happened, no time to write. The beautiful young man she met when riding to the missions with the priest is named Julio, pronounced hu-lio. Has been camping in canyons with Tooker and doing some pretty daring climbing. Went down a cliff using hand-holds. Spent a day in the Painted Desert with Julio and could hardly get over it. Now the Grand Canyon. Wonderful how unspoiled it is, not a single souvenir shop. New Mexico is wonderful but expensive. Elsie would love it, but her money would go and she would take up with a sweetheart who would take all her attention. Has been asked to a Mexican dance when back in Winslow, and then if she can tear herself away from Julio will go to Albuquerque with Douglass. Didn't mean to go on and on about Julio—it's just that he's so fascinating. People would be fighting over him as an artist's model in New York. W. S. C. [Stout #229]
Hasn't answered her letter because traveling. Spent two adventurous months with Douglass. Probably won't get to Lincoln. Needs to return to New York as soon as possible after her brother Roscoe comes to visit. Was ill most of the winter but quite well now. She shouldn't bother reading "Alexander," but may like "The Bohemian Girl." Willa Cather [Stout #238]
Understands her regret that G. P. has enlisted, but he has always wanted to be in the military and this is his chance. It's a time of return to basics: men carrying guns. For herself, feels proud of him and glad he can go, especially as an officer. Wishes Jack were going. Was sorry not to see her, but the heat was debilitating and she and her friend fled back East. Was too worn out to work for a while, but now is working every morning in a tent about a mile from the inn. Douglass's reports about Mother are disheartening. Wonders if she should go to California to see about her. Address is at Hotel Garfield on O'Farrell Street in San Francisco. Elsie is delighted with her school and with Albuquerque. On the whole, families are pretty good things to have. Willa [Stout #390]
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]
Letter reached her in Wyoming, and she meant to answer it from Red Cloud but father had a heart attack. Better now. Came back to New York day before yesterday to vacate apartment. Putting things in storage. Has cancelled trip to France. Brother Douglass plans to take parents to California this winter. Doesn't suppose people who are used to movies will care for Death Comes for the Archbishop, a book without women. Sorry moviemakers will soon be at Acoma. Willa [Stout #890]
