A Calendar of the Letters of Willa Cather

28 letters found

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Results 11-20:

To Fanny ButcherNov. 4, 1937Newberry 

Extends sympathy for painful sore. Remembers the infected place on back of her head when she was working on The Song of the Lark. Kept putting off going to the hospital; took codeine for the pain and kept writing; was finally put into the hospital after she went into delirium. Didn't write sooner because uncle was ill in Maryland [probably James Howard Gore, Cather's cousin who was more than twenty years older than her], and niece has been distraught with husband's pneumonia. In addition, has been preparing for a subscription edition from Houghton Mifflin.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1379]


To Ferris GreensletMar. 22, 1938Harvard 

Appreciates the copy of Grey of Fallodon, which she enjoyed reading. Did not like May Sarton's The Single Hound; didn't resemble real people. Very different from The Enemy Gods, which she liked very much. Usually does not care for novels about writers, a genre Robert Louis Stevenson referred to as cannibalism. George Gissing's Grub Street an exception. Doesn't care for very fanciful fiction either, including Walter de la Mare. The fanciful works well in poetry, but not in prose.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1404]


To Dorothy Canfield FisherOct. 14, 1940UVt 

Is unable to write by hand because of sprain. Now they are even on misquoting titles. Has regretted calling her last book "Seasoned Wood" [instead of Seasoned Timber]. Now Dorothy has called hers "Sapphira and the Slave Maid," which loses the doubling of the "r" sound. Glad she likes what she has read of it. Galley proofs need a lot of correction. Abandoned it in the middle when Douglass and Isabelle died, but had already written the epilogue, which was the target. Has overridden her reluctance to shift from third person to first because the incident such an important one in her childhood. Grandmother Boak a Confederate and lost two sons in the South's army, but cared about justice and actually did take Nancy across the Potomac. Postmistress was her great aunt, Sidney Cather Gore. Enjoyed hearing the southern speech in her mind as she wrote it, especially the black people's speech. Realizes their speech patterns are not consistent in the book, but house servants varied their speech. Might not have finished the book had it not been for the war, but writing it helped her escape the anxiety.   Willa   [Stout #1497]


To Dr. Damrosch [ American Academy of Arts and Letters ]Oct. 25, 1940AAAL 

Has returned her ballot for the Howells Medal. Continues to hope amendment passed last spring, so inconsistent with the goals of the Institute and the Academy, will be reversed. Plans to attend the annual meeting if possible.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1498]


To Carrie Miner SherwoodMar. 22, 1941WCPM 

Keeps thinking about her and wishes she could write a real letter, by hand. Was saddened by Mary's telegram telling of Walter's [Carrie's husband's] death, but had heard how ill he was. Also heard how beautifully she was taking care of him. Remembers first seeing his picture in her watch case when she was going away to school at St. Mary's. Has spent a great deal of time alone this winter enjoying precious memories like that. Sees very few people besides Mary Virginia and Yehudi Menuhin and wife. Will write again soon. Hand is improving since going to Dr. Ober, a surgeon from Boston. Enjoys remembering evenings she spent with Carrie and Walter ten years ago, when they both gave her good advice.   Willie   [Stout #1534]


To Miss Geffen [ American Academy of Arts and Letters ] [from Sarah J. Bloom, secretary]Aug. 12, 1941AAAL 

Cather is in California due to the illness of her brother. Is not forwarding mail. Therefore, it will be some time before she can consider writing for the "Schrift Fest" for Dr. Damrosch.   Sarah J. Bloom, Secretary   [Stout #1546]


To Felicia Geffen [ American Academy of Arts and Letters ] [from Sarah J. Bloom, secretary]Nov. 26, 1941AAAL 

Cather is sending her contribution to the "Schrift Fest" for Dr. Damrosch today. If too late to include in the volume, please return it so that she can present it personally.   Sarah J. Bloom, Secretary   [Stout #1558]


To Walter Tittlen.d.HRC 

He must be thinking she has no manners, but she was called to Nebraska just after their last sitting. His box of candy carried her through blizzards.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1771]


To Charles Cather [April 17?, 1913] , from 5 Bank Street photocopy, not original; UNL-Southwick 

Appreciates the interest check and is pleased Mr. MacArthur accepted the loan. If he has trouble placing other $700 just mail it back so it can earn interest in the bank. Is working on McClure's Autobiography, which will come out in the fall and winter. Father will like it. Will soon begin correcting proof on new novel [ O Pioneers! ]. Publishers have high expectations, and the book will go on sale September 1. Howard Gore wrote to inquire if she was close to William Jennings Bryan and could persuade him to give Gore a diplomatic appointment in Holland. [Bryan served as Secretary of State 1913-1915.] Gore is smart, but also a kiss-up. Alex Pendleton wrote; is sounding old. Unfortunately can't make it to Winchester this spring. Tell Uncle Billy Parks hello. Heard wonderful old stories from him last summer. Has been thinking about their drives when she was in Red Cloud last spring.   Willie 


To Charles F. Cather [October 27, 1913] [with letter from Mrs. D. A. Brodie to Cather] ; UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Just received unfortunate news [death of Lillian Gore in Paris] from Mrs. Brodie (also known as Lizzie Potts). Has contacted Howard, and father should, too.   Willa 


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