Cassette Tape 31 Side A -- Works-The Troubled Chair (Fragment) -- 30 minutes and 46 seconds Sullivan's Label: 31 a Works-The Troubled Chair (Fragment) [MC298-5-1-038a] Cassette Tape 31 Side B -- Fragments ; Rita Smith Letters -- 30 minutes and 46 seconds Sullivan's Label: 31b Fragments Letters Rita [Processor's note -- The heavily edited fragments of The Troubled Chair end and the Rita Smith letters begin at minute 6 on the tape. The fragments are not transcribed.] [Sullivan - now here is a series of letters concerning Carson's mother's state of health.] April 27, 1953. From Virginia Smith on stationary of John K. Davidson, Jr. MD, Internal Medicine, 300 Martin Building, Columbus, Georgia.] Dear Carson, just a short note this morning to let you know that we are all fine after that terrible storm. You can't imagine the destruction and horror of it all. In some areas it looked like a war-torn town. Everybody is already busy reconstructing and looking for the many things to be thankful for. It is a miracle how few people were killed and injured. We only have to look about two blocks from us to see utter bleakness and desolation from the storm and are so thankful to have as little damage as we suffered. We are so glad none of us were at home at the time it happened. Our garage is completely gone and there is some damage to the house but as I say we are so grateful not to have felt the full force of the wind. We appreciated Reeves' letter and your check. Of course Bebe has no expense living here with us, but she does like to have a little money to do the things she likes to do. We got a bill from Dr. [Luther?] in Nyack for $150 a few weeks ago so we are paying it by degrees. When the mirror at King's is sold they will send you a check and if you wish you can send it to Bebe. She has been upset about this affair and I hope it will soon be settled. Bebe seems very happy with us and is so devoted to little Lamar. We love having her here and love her so much, as you know. She still has such poor coordination and has periods of severe depression and anxiety but otherwise seems to be improving. Carson, I know you are busy but if you knew what your letters mean to her, you would surely take 10 minutes of your time at least once a week and write her. [Sullivan - that's underlined from "you would surely take"] She loves you more than life itself and has been quite upset by your recent lapse of letters . Her well being depends so much on hearing good news from you. Love, Virginia April 8,1953. From Lamar Smith in Columbus, Georgia. Dear Carson, this is just a note to tell you how Mother is doing. Mother is still a very sick woman. The clot has damaged her heart permanently. Also she had some heart trouble before this happened. She was also left with a very strong anxiety complex. The heart troubles are arterial sclerosis, cardiovascular, also enlarged heart. We have a very good doctor and Mother visits him regularly. I feel that everything that can be done is being done. I do not want to alarm you too much. Her doctor tells me many people as sick as Mother live to be old people and if she takes care of herself she will probably get along well. Mother does not know about her heart trouble. The doctor thinks it would worry her too much. Therefore, please don't mention this letter. We have a very simple life down here and it seems that it agrees with Mother. About the furniture, Mother was homesick for some of her own furniture, a table I think. It is such a big change for her so she wrote Helen C. to send it to her because she knows some of the long distance movers and they could just put it on the first truck that was coming this way and she would not have to crate it. Carson, Mother misses you so much and meets the postman every day in hope to get a letter from you. When more than the normal time as passed it makes her very sick physically and it retards her normal progress. Before this happened, she was a very emotional person and all the troubles made it worse. Busy, I know that you have been very busy lately and that you have not realized how long it has been since you have written Mother. However, it has really been hard on her. I trust that this letter finds you and Reeves well. Spring has really Georgia blossomed. Sister, don't tell Mother about this letter. I am writing it down at the shop because I didn't want her to know. [Sullivan - this is added by Virginia at the bottom of Lamar's letter.] We've had a complete series of X-rays made to try and find the cause of nausea she's had for about 3 months but all X-rays are negative and Dr. Davidson says he believes it is surely nerves - purely nerves and emotional strain. She's had a big adjustment to make and Lamar has done exceptionally well. Please don't write Bebe anything about Lamar's letter to upset her. Columbus was severely hit by a tornado Saturday April 18th. None of us hurt. So many homeless so that we consider the loss of our garage and the damage to our house too minor to mention. Some areas are barren and desolate but the people are so stoic and heroic that the debris is clearing fast and reconstruction is taking place immediately. A copy of Dr. Davidson's diagnosis: 1) Hypertension, cardiovascular disease with generalized grade II arterial sclerosis. Electrocardiogram shows evidence of coronary artery disease, no evidence of congestive failure. 2) Depression and anxiety {Sullivan - underlined] as a reaction to severe illness. 3) GI and GB series negative. 4) Generalized enlargement of the heart and the aorta diversely dilated and markedly incoiled. Fluoroscopic examination after the ingestion of barium showed considerable extrinsic pressure upon the esophagus, upon the heart and the aorta, but otherwise the esophagus, stomach and duodenum appeared entirely normal. Gall bladder normal, blood pressure 160/110. December 21, 1953. From Mrs. William D.L. Worsley [Etta Blanchard Worsley], 2300 17th Street. To Marguerite Smith. Dear Marguerite, Will and I were distressed to hear of your sister Mattie's death. I didn't even know she was sick, as I hadn't seen Virginia Storey lately. You and Carson have had a hard year and surely brighter things are ahead. It was a great disappointment not to see Carson. Had planned to go to see her and we were expecting her at the reading club for my program on Carl Sandburg the day she left Columbus to fly back to you. Helen Swift told me all about it and Lucy Bowers and Leonor Dismuke both phoned and cancelled little parties at which I was to have the pleasure of seeing Carson. Would love so to hear all she has been doing at Yaddo and Member of the Wedding. Wasn't it at Yaddo that she wrote Member of the Wedding? I shall never forget the afternoon she and dear Margery Waites met for tea at my house. I am very proud of that. And proud of Carson for making good in such a big way. I wonder if she saw my brain-child, Columbus on the Chattahoochee, when she was here. I hoped she would have a chance to look over it. You know it represents 10 years of historical research. I am afraid I'll never attempt another full length book, but am doing since shorter things. Drop me a line when you can and, if possible, tell me your health is better. Hope you and Carson have a good helper and will improve steadily in future and coming back to Columbus often and we're all going to Henrietta's for Christmas. Love and sympathy, Etta [Sullivan - This is all biographical material compiled by Carson but it includes also a catalog of the letters between Reeves and Carson. At the top is says "D-Day May 7, 1944".] Reeves' letters to Carson; 5 - "You were the best wife"; 9 - Cold; 10 - "Wild, trashing, yelling dreams" - cold; 11 - Post-war plans, lack of identification with the U.S., reference to the alcoholic here in New York, present well-being; 13 - remarriage; 14 - you have healed "old wound"; 15 - decision not to remarry; 16 - post war plans, "I am able to give much more when we are near each other"; 17 - marriage a mistake, love for her was not [Sullivan - "something"]; 21 - D-Day; 23 -turning point in my life (meeting with Carson in Columbus, Georgia) - personal stories of war victims make war more real than bullets and shells do; 26 - "planned companionship", "no longer capable of dishonesty"; 27 - no more "confusion and frustration", China plans, garbage man in Podunk good enough job if just can get out of the war alive, and to you more than a husband for a wife, a boy for his mother; 28 - dog story; 29 - Bebe unwell, concern for her; 32 - somewhere in New York, "I am still among the quick"; 34 - in war, impressions forced on you, no time to form own impressions; 35 - "reassembling remnants of my mentality"; 36 - Carson's very worried sounding letters, Carson's desire to work in yard; 37 - "intricate machinery required for manufacture of fun and happiness in U.S".; 39 - dream; 45 - find meaning in war when those Carson is writing; 43 - couch story, letter-writing seems silly and strange in face of death, "last letter, not a last letter", "the mind no longer communicates with the body"; 45 - please cable money; 47 - imagining conversations with Carson, will not have another drink until sees her; 48 - live with Carson in the States is OK, (in letter number 11 couldn't live here); 49 - affection only for Carson and deeper than affection in life with her, threat of her imaginary friend; 50 - fuming indignation, "afraid I'm anti-social; 51 - "sick of war, it feels like a cancer inside"; 52 - moves to the imminently preferable Camp Ricky; 53 - the harder I work the better off I will be, I hope I am able to offer you what you need, first open expression of self doubt on this point (these letters could not be placed in chronological order because their postmarks are either incorrect or unclear); 54 - love life if I have had; 55 - "my life must have more purpose and direction." [Sullivan - Then Carson's letters to Reeves]: 2 - fear of letters not reaching Reeves, Henry's theory, do not want to influence Reeves in vital decision, France trip unlikely; 4 - cap incident and eye trouble; 6 - can't enjoy snowfall without Reeves; 7 - false alarm, "we regret telegram"; 8 - no tenderness lavish enough, relief at thought of Reeves being at home, don't ever want to disappoint him, 9 - have been crazy with worry, letters coming after death, if only she could be killed or wounded at same time as he and could be braver; 11 - dream, just his being there beside her; 12 - if Reeves were here we could walk in the snow, instead dream and drink tea by the window. Wish to give him manuscript of book in spring; 13 - life without Reeves would be like living in room without wall; 14 - expectant of Reeves' return, war would be easier to bear if U.S. were suffering greater deprivation; 15 - spell; don't knit, bones don't knit, don't; 17 - on Proust; 18 - cable - three questions - are my letters coming, do you need money, will you be home soon?; 20 - suspense of waiting for his return; 21 - Carson, Bebe, Times Square celebration. How possible when so many didn't return?; 22 - finds love and safety in him. Future together may depend on his learning French and German; 23 - can't bear R when he abuses himself. Angelina - R going to doctor. Is it Tom?; 24 - Might Tom if tempted work and remember me?; 26 - asterisk Entire letter significant. (These letters cannot be placed in chronological order because their postmarks are either unclear or incomplete.) 27 - the harmony of life would be destroyed forever if lost. Art; 28 - dream (see R's letter number 39); 29 - idea of publishing R's wartime letters. No inner composure, shaping conversation to turn on R; 30 - monstrous demands on you and god, meant for each other, Carson and Reeves at the bottom, R writing play with Carson, see letter to Mrs. Smith. Formal, specific request necessary before can send packages overseas. [Sullivan - These letters are the ones that must be restricted I assume until January 1, 1977.] [Sullivan - This is a Biographical Note here from Mademoiselle for the October 1954 issue.] "Carson McCullers borrowed Tennessee Williams' New York apartment while he was in Rome and is now writing mostly poetry. This month she will spend on "Illumination and the Writer" in Philadelphia. October 20, 1953 - To Lydia King of King's Interiors in Columbus from Mrs. Smith in Nyack re: the mirror. Dear Lydia, we are very anxious to get the mirror as our house is being redecorated. We want it as soon as possible. Insure it for the full value ($308). [Sullivan - and maybe at the bottom the word, very hazy, Walker.] Some "Dear Grandmother" letters to Marguerite Smith from little Lamar. [not read by Sullivan] A legal document issued the 4th day of September next and the date of this document is July 3, 1958, concerning the death of Henry H. Smith, deceased, to Lavinia Smith, Corine Smith, Minny Gentry, Myra Richards, William H. Smith, Mary Louise Wilkinson Farier, Lamar Smith Jr., Carson Smith McCullers, Margareta Smith, signed by William H. Smith, petitioner, about the estate in the state of Michigan, County of Wayne. no date. Hard adjustment for Little Bit to make without you, Grandmama. We go around saying, "Poor Grandma" and going like a siren when I get off to work. Been going to the picture show a good bit since you left to give Lamar something to do. Last night we took Ronnie, Betty Lee Morris and Vic and Lamar to a cartoon carnival at one of the drive-ins. All the neighbors asked about you and miss you. Ya'll sound so happy and have things all taken care of up there. Just take things easy and enjoy life in general. So glad you are feeling so well and Carson is gaining. Just don't worry about anything. It all comes out in the wash anyway. Ya'll have been wonderful about writing. Keep up the good work and we'll try to do better. We love you so very much, Ginny and family March 1, 1953. From Jordan Massee, 188 East End Avenue, New York City. In the Windy Straights of Belle Isle. Dearest Carson, here I am at Maurice's waiting for my host to arise, wondering what compulsion forces me out of bed while the rest of Brooklyn sleeps the sleep of the damned or the innocent. Certainly I am not innocent and until damnation I shall go on rising early. I must say I got up this morning in order to write a letter to you. I would not expect you to believe me but I could rely on you not to express your doubts. This evening I am going to I.M. Campbell's for dinner and music. Meanwhile I may as well rest here until time to pick up my loneliness and go on to the next appointment. I cannot believe that loneliness is imposed upon us by the separateness of our natures, a condition that can be ignored or alleviated but never altered. I suspect that those individuals like Shaw who most completely filled up their hours with work and other diversions were those who felt least any great longing in the first place. But even Shaw felt the necessity of his attachments to Ellen Terry and Stella Campbell, however bloodless. Had he felt one ten thousandth of the passionate longing or spiritual desire of Wagner, those two affairs would have resulted in dramas as warm as they are witty and ultimately as wise as they are at times foolish. But the very mention of Wagner's name poses the question, in Tristan and Isolde was the love/death the final necessity of the transfiguration? I go on believing that it is better to be fulfilled than to be saved. Darling, when I share my loneliness with you I cut it in half, but I would be miserable it my thoughts disturbed you half as much as they disturb me. Take my hand in yours. I need only that much assurance that I am not alone. I was glad to hear that you're working on the novel. I hope it is substantially the same as you outlined to me in Macon. My dearest cousin, my dearest friend, I love you and I miss you, Boots [Sullivan - File S] no date. From Dan and Rita. Dear Carson, we were awfully sorry to hear from Bebe that you were sick again. When we heard about the movie you were working on we were in hopes that everything was fine but obviously it isn't. We keep in close touch with Bebe and she seems happy and getting along fine with Virginia and Lamar. The one unquestionable fact is that for some time yet Bebe will need a long and uninterrupted period of peaceful living. The seriousness of her collapse is leaving its mark and will, I am afraid, for some time. Virginia writes that she is beginning to do things around the house and in the yard. This is a positive sign of the wisdom of this course for her. She needs from everybody around her constant love and care. Because of Bebe's situation now she is probably unable to do at this time for you what she would like to do. There is certainly no substitute for Bebe's love and devotion, but if there is anything at all that we could possibly do in any way, all you need do is ask. I have been meaning to write to you before. I have kept a record of all expenses, but since it has become about the same amount for all three of the children, I haven't felt any pressure of writing you about it. We still send her money regularly every month, however I am sending you an itemized statement as I might as well be business-like about it, but at the moment I am sick with a severe reaction to a penicillin shot I had for a cold two weeks ago and am covered from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet with hives. Remember Carson, if there is anything at all we can do, we want you to tell us and we will do it. Love, Dan and Rita no date. From Nyack. To Lamar Smith, Jr. at Brunswick, Georgia. A money order for a hundred dollars. no date. Marguerite Smith in hospital. Nanuet, New York. May 27-June 3, 1952. June 4-5, 7 days boarding care, $13.50 per day, May 18-May 25, 1952, $94.50. Reeves paid $72 for week ending 5/26/52 nurse for Bebe. Carson McCullers paid to the Nyack Hospital $220.82 for Mrs. Lamar Smith account. July 7, '52 to Mrs. Lamar Smith about the phone bill not being paid, but there's a note on it, check #69, Carson paid, 7/19/52. Amount due was $117.49. Hospital bills from May 29, 1952 to June 9, 1952 July 30, 1952. From Rita Smith. Dear Carson and Reeves, I'm sorry that I don't get to write more often but everything has been going fine. Mama is getting better and stronger each day, but after such a serious illness as she has had, it will be some time before she is back in shape. I am enclosing a letter from her. She asked me to tell you that she would write often, but that she realizes that it is still so hard for anybody to read what she has to say. Paris seems definitely out, for a while anyway. She is not able to make coffee for herself and this, you know, is an essential but she can walk around a little and get to the bathroom alone. She had thought she would go down to Georgia for a long visit with Lamar and Virginia, but Jordan told her that the official temperature down there has been between 103 and 104 and after the terrific heat wave we've had, I don't think Mama could take it. Helena Clay phoned her and invited her and stay with her for a while before she goes to Georgia. She is driving in this afternoon. I hope to get off early to see them safely on their way. Mother has gotten much stronger since she has been with us, but she has been nervous about being on the eighth floor and she keeps saying that at Helena's she can just walk outdoors when she wants to. I didn't write you and tell you much about the first week that Mama was with us, but it was pretty hectic. A suffocating heat wave, a broken refrigerator and a maid who couldn't do anything but sing. The past two weeks we have had a wonderful woman who has had some nursing training and is a practical nurse. Sometimes I worried that she was a little too bossy with Mama. She makes her eat and bathes her in the [?] every day and they seem devoted to each other. Teracita told me that when Mother comes back after visiting Helena she can make arrangements to come to us again. Please know that Mother is not disappointed at not being able to go to Paris now. I had thought that she would be. She doesn't know what her ultimate plans will be, but it's really too soon for her to try to make them. Perhaps not too long from now she will be able to join you for a visit and be able to see and do something and really enjoy herself, but for the present at least she is better off living as quietly as it is possible for her. She appreciates your letters so much and knowing that you really want her to come. Shirley and Jerome have been faithful to come by, send presents and call. So have other friends. Boots was up last night. I have been living under such a strain that I am going out of town this week-end while Mother is away. My friend Cathy Neuer has a place on the beach at Fire [. . . end of tape]