T
[Collection Henry E. Huntington Library]
TO ALVIN DEWEY5
Hotel Warren
Garden City, Kansas
[6 January 1960]
Dear Foxy,
After your long and heroic journey, we are certain you will appreciate a long swig of this.
So: welcome home!
From your ever faithful historians
Truman
Nelle
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO CECIL BEATON
[Brooklyn, N.Y.]
Jan 21, 1960
Dearest Cecil—
Returned yesterday—after nearly 2 months in Kansas: an extraordinary experience, in many ways the most interesting thing that’s ever happened to me. But I will let you read about it—it may amount to a small book.
I wonder if you are still in St. Moritz, wherever you are, I envy you—it is so cold and black here, and everyone has gone away to the snow or the sun.
I am surprised that “this person” was surprised when you “popped the question.” And amazed that she hesitated: but think this speaks very well for her; and if it eventually works out, I’m sure it will be a better and happier thing for the thinking-over. Actually, to me it sounds more promising now than earlier. However, we shall see.6
How appalling that Stratford et al should have fallen through in that tiresome and wasteful fashion. I hate the theatre—except that it does bring you to New York; am so looking forward to your March return.
No news, no gossip of any sort, at least, having been out of circulation so long, I know none.
Will write more again when I’m unpacked and more collected.
Love and hugs
T
[Collection St. John’s College, Cambridge University]
TO ALVIN AND MARIE DEWEY
[Brooklyn, N.Y.]
22 January 1960
Dear Marie and Alvin,
We had a rather longish trip to New York (Super-Chief7 six hours late in Chicago, which meant we had to stay there overnight etc.)—but finally arrived Monday night.
I have had long talks with the staff at “The New Yorker”, and with Random House. Just today I signed a contract for the book.8 Everyone is very enthusiastic. When we come back, I very likely will bring with me Richard Avedon,9 who is quite easily the world’s greatest photographer (because we may use a few photographs in the book—and I’m afraid those in existence are not quite good enough). Speaking of pictures—do glance at the new Feb 2nd issue of “Look” magazine: somewhere around pg. 83 there is something that may amuse you.
Nelle and I parted at the Railway terminal, and haven’t seen each other since, but we’ve talked on the telephone, and she misses you, all of you, Paul and Dewey and Pete,10 very much. So do I.
I will ring you soon.
Meanwhile, much love—
Truman
And come to New York!
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO ALVIN AND MARIE DEWEY
[Mid-Atlantic, aboard the
French Line ship] Flandre
Easter Sunday
[17 April 1960]
Dearest Folks—
Finally managed to get aboard (with 25 pieces of luggage, 2 dogs, 1 cat, and my good friend Jack Dunphy)—and here we all are, mid-Atlantic. At least, and at last, I am getting a good rest: slept 12 hours last night.
Forgive my handwriting: despite what I say on the card about the sea’s calmness, there is still quite a bit of a roll.
We reach Le Havre next Thursday, the 22nd (I will mail this from there).11 Then we drive down to Spain, which should take about 3 days. Here is the address again, just to be sure you got it straight—
c/o J. Y. Millar
Calle Catifa
Palamos (Gerona)
Costa Brava
Spain
I was so happy to have your ‘Bon Voyage’ call: so sweet of you. But then you are sweet, and I love you all.
This just a scribble; but will send cards en route and really write when I reach Palamos.
Hugs and love,
T
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO ALVIN AND MARIE DEWEY
28 April 1960
c/o Millar
Calle Catifa
Palamos (Gerona)
Costa Brava, Spain
Dearest Deweys,
How nice to have Marie’s sweet letter waiting to welcome me here. So sorry about your mother; I do hope you can visit them this year. But that was hilarious about the burglary in Syracuse: I am keeping the list of stolen objects—I may use it in the book—which, by the way, I really started writing this very morning.
It took us four days to drive down here through France. A lovely trip, spring everywhere, green fields and wild flowers and beautiful weather. We had picnic lunches every day—just lots of bread and cheese and cold wine. Then at night a huge meal. I must have gained 5 pounds.
But the food is not very good in Spain—unless you like everything cooked in olive oil. Which I don’t. However, my house is quite charming. This is a fishing village and the house is right on the beach—the water is as clear and as blue as a mermaid’s eye. I get up very early—because the fishermen set sail at 5 a.m, and they make such a racket not even Rip Van Winkle could sleep through it. But that is good for my work, n’est-ce pas? All my animals, both dogs and the cat, survived the journey very well. They love riding in cars, especially the cat. She keeps disappearing and we always find her sitting in the car.
I have rented this house only until June 15th. After that, will move somewhere else on the Spanish coast or perhaps go to Portugal. Or Italy. Or France. Who knows?
Hope Dick12 has sent the pictures. It takes him forever to make his prints—he is so finicky. I have all of the pictures here with me. How delightful you all look. Because you are delightful. And I love you very much. Hugs for Paul and Dewey—write me
T
So glad the Grapevine article turned out well!
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO ALVIN AND MARIE DEWEY
[Postcard] [Palamós, Spain]
May 3rd, 1960
Dearhearts—
Book going well. Have found another house and am moving there June 15th—so will be in Spain until Oct.
Alvin, something very important! Nancy’s13 diary had entries for the last four years. I need the entries for Sat. Nov 14th in 1958, 1957, 1956. Urgent! If you no longer have diary, who has? Miss you all. Love
T
Wrote Perry [Smith], but letter returned.14
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO ALVIN AND MARIE DEWEY
[Palamós, Spain]
17 May 1960
Dearhearts—
So happy to have Marie’s letter: and relieved, too—not having heard from you in almost a month. Bless you for sending the diary entries.
Am glad you liked Dick’s pictures; I think they are marvelous—so alive, witty and charming.
We move into the new house June 1st—I’m sure I sent you the address, but here it is again: c/o Klaebisch, “Az-Zahara”, Condado de San Jorge, Playa de Aro, Costa Brava, Spain. It is a beautiful house right on the sea. My God, I wish you could come here instead of L.A. Speaking of which, please let me know at what hotel you will be staying: I have certain Hollywood friends (especially David Selznick and his wife Jennifer Jones) who would be delighted to arrange movie-studio excursions for you etc. Please don’t be shy about this: they really would enjoy doing it, and they know all about you, too. So let me know the address immediately. I will write the Selznicks today. Their address is: 1400 Tower Rd., Beverly Hills.
Small questions in connection with book continue, and will continue, to arise. For instance, according to my notes, the Clutters built their house in 1943: but this does not seem possible; was it 1943 or 1953?15 Also, how many miles is it from Holcomb to Colorado border? Has a new date been set for carrying out a sentence? (As you can see, all my G.C.16 Telegrams are accumulating unread in New York).
Hope Dewey’s allergies are under control: and Pete’s fighting instincts. Love to Paul, Love to all—
T
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO DAVID O. SELZNICK AND JENNIFER JONES
c/o Klaebisch
“AZ-ZAHARA”
Condado de San Jorge
Playa de Aro
Costa Brava, Spain
24 May 1960
Dear hearts—
David’s letter finally forwarded from New York.17 Have lovely house here by the sea, and will be staying until the end of Sept. However, don’t plan returning to New York until my book is finished, and, as it is so complicated, so very long, that will be at least a year from now. God knows I’m working hard—not seeing anyone: though I think Slim [Hayward] is coming to visit a few days some time in June.
Speaking of the book, the “hero” of it is coming to Los Angeles in July. His name is Alvin Dewey, and he is an agent for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the man who was in charge of the case and the person chiefly responsible for solving it. He is charming, so are his wife and 2 sons: they will be with him on this California holiday. I know you would find Alvin interesting, and I hope, while he and his family are there, you could give them a ring, arrange for them to visit a studio (or something). Later on, I will send the dates and name of hotel where they will be staying.
Do you remember my story, the one I made a record of, “A Christmas Memory”? I would like very much to make a film of it, something about the length of “The Red Balloon”—35 minutes, and costing about (at most) $50,000. It would be
