Nelle is in the hospital, the result of a serious kitchen accident. She burned herself very badly, especially her right hand. It seems some sort of pan caught fire and exploded—all that at her home in Alabama.
You ask about my religious beliefs. As a matter of fact, we did discuss this once but I guess you’ve forgotten. Anyway, I belong to no church and am not a “Believer” in any formal sense. At one time I was very interested in Oriental religions, and felt, and still somewhat feel, that it might be possible for me to accept Buddhism,200 perhaps because it is really more a [unclear] than a religion.
Only Catholicism can be taken seriously, with the sense that it gives adherents a personal sense of identity with [unclear] GOD, and offers genuine consolation when they fail to achieve it (by way of confessional).201 But as for me, I just go my way by myself.
Affectionately,
Truman
[Collection Unknown]
TO CECIL BEATON
[Verbier, Switzerland]
27 Jan 1965
Dearheart—
As usual, I’m abed with a cold: I seem to have had one almost uninterruptedly since last September. Anyway, your letter was a joy in my not overly joyous existence. I’ve been working 8–9 hours a day—not needless to say, on the film-script. No, I’m finishing the last pages of my book—I must be rid of it regardless of what happens. I hardly give a fuck anymore what happens. My sanity is at stake—and that is no mere idle phrase. Oh the hell with it. I shouldn’t write such gloomy crap—even to someone as close to me as you.
Occasionally read the English papers, and am delighted by the triumph, and your triumph, avec ‘Lady’. I very especially liked Isabel Quigly’s comments in “The Spectator”.
Yes, I did discuss “The Gainsborough Girls” with someone who seems to be quite interested: Fred Kohlman, a very pleasant producer at 20th Century. He thought it might be a good project for S.M. Behrman, who is one of his pets. Kohlman is the guy I’m supposed to write the script for—if ever I really do. I did a Treatment which he didn’t like—no doubt rightly. I couldn’t grasp what you were saying about Lazar—I mean, it wasn’t clear. And I wish it had been: because I just received a check from him that was some $12,000 short of the amount expected.
Jack is fine, ditto Diotima and my Harrod’s pup.202 All love to Kin.
Mille Tendresse [sic]
T.
Please write.
[Collection St. John’s College, Cambridge University]
TO SANDY CAMPBELL
Le Beau Rivage203
Lausanne-Ouchy
2 February 1965
Dear Sandy—
A new date has been set for H&S: Feb 18th. There seems to be every indication this date will hold. Without going into all the reasons, I’ve decided not to attend the executions—suffice [it] to say, it has become unnecessary from the literary standpoint.
However, Alvin is going in my place—so to say. Now on Thursday morning, the 18th, Alvin will call you at your office. He will read you the Text of the execution story in Kansas City Star. You, please, will write this down, and cable it to me word for word (at the magazine’s expense, naturally). Prior to this, I will have talked to Alvin myself.
Hope this doesn’t sound insane. But, the way I’ve constructed things, I will be able to complete the entire mss. within hours after receiving cable.
Keep everything crossed.
All love
T.
[Collection Beinecke Library, Yale University]
TO SANDY CAMPBELL
[Postcard] [Verbier, Switzerland]
7 Feb 1965
Dear Sandy—
Guess what? The Supreme Court granted another stay pending appeal! What a country! What a law system! We won’t hear anything further before March or April. Love to Don. et vous.
T.
[Collection Beinecke Library, Yale University]
TO ALVIN AND MARIE DEWEY
[Verbier, Switzerland]
9 Feb. 1965
Dearhearts—
I guess I didn’t sound too jolly on the phone, but the news was rather lowering to the spirit. Anyway, it was good to hear your dear sweet voices!
Yesterday, I decided to find out what “Fang” Jenkins204 is really up to. So I had a long conversation with him (about $200. worth!). He said he’d sent the Supreme Court a list of new allegations (didn’t specify), and also an in-vidual [sic] copy of his brief for each justice (“I wish to be sure they all see it—not just Byron White and a couple of clerks. Because that nightmare trial must not be allowed to stand”). He told me the Kansas Bar Association is “backing us to the hilt.” Which rather amazed me: I thought they had retreated. Then Jenkins said: “I still think we may get a new trial. And if we do, this time they won’t be able to convict those boys. They’ll go free.” And I thought: yes, and I hope you’re the first one they bump off, you sonofa-bitch. But what I actually said was: “Is that really your idea of justice?—that after killing four people, they ought to be let out on the streets? Doesn’t that notion rather disturb you?” He had the grace to admit it did. Lawyers! What hypocrites! Well, enough of that. Nothing now will happen until March. If then.
I gather Nelle is much improved. You were angelic to call her. I don’t know why I never got Dewey’s exercises—I was just about to scold him. That’s a shame about the debate prize. Doesn’t he graduate this spring? The Feb. 18th matter changed all my plans—but now I may as well go to Rome for a week the end of the month (had a note from Vi, written from Hong Kong, and she wants to meet me in Rome for 4 days). More later, but all love now. Hugs and kisses
T.
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO DONALD WINDHAM AND SANDY CAMPBELL
[Postcard] [Verbier, Switzerland]
[18 February 1965]
Dearhearts—
Except for a vital page or two, finished the book today—on, ironically, the 18th. Exhausted. Home in about 3 weeks. Love you both, and miss you mucho.
xxxooo
T.
[Collection Beinecke Library, Yale University]
TO BENNETT CERF
[Verbier, Switzerland]
20 Feb. 1965
Dearest B.—
Yesterday I finished “In Cold Blood”—except for a few paragraphs, and I do mean paragraphs. I’m mailing the mss. to Joe Fox, but I’d just as soon you did not read it until I’ve added that final note.205
The Supreme Court denied the appeals for the second time, and the execution was set for Feb 18th. But they got still another stay. However, I do not think the day of reckoning is now too distant.
Thank you for the Modern Library edition of my book. I think it is very handsome, and am very pleased.
I will be home in about three weeks, and longing to see you. All my love to my precious Phyllis! Love
Truman
[Collection Columbia University Library]
TO SANDY CAMPBELL
[Verbier, Switzerland]
20 Feb. 1965
Dearest Sandy—
Alvin has written, greatly distressed over the 52 questions you sent him.206 As you know, he is not really well and very much overworked by the K.B.I [Kansas Bureau of Investigation]—and he just has not the time to answer all those queries beyond those he immediately knows the answer to. He can’t go around conducting a new investigation—for one thing, Logan Sanford, the K.B.I director, would be furious. He already almost lost his job twice because of me. So would you please relieve his mind by calling him (BRidge 6-3563) and tell him to just do what he easily can and no more? I appreciate what you are doing with all my heart. But I just can’t bear to get Alvin into any more trouble. All my love to you and Don—
T.
[Collection Beinecke Library, Yale University]
TO ALVIN AND MARIE DEWEY
[Verbier, Switzerland]
[20 February 1965]
Dearhearts—
I was very happy to have Pappy’s good letter today. I loved the picture of him in previous letter—have it on my desk here.
Unfortunately, in the same mail there was a letter from Charles McAtee207 (enclosed) with a monumentally depressing piece of news (which I’ve very unneccesarily [sic] underlined). If this is valid, and they do get back in the state courts—well, it means they can appeal all the way back to the U.S. Supreme Court. But I’m not sure that it is valid. Because such a writ is a civil action, and the state district judge is not compelled to grant the writ (I believe). Anyway, I can’t imagine any Finney County judge would do it if he didn’t have to. Oh God, I’m so weary and sick of it all. And Lord knows I know you are, too.
Pappy, please don’t bother about Sandy’s questions. Please. I can’t bear to have you waste your time. You’ve been overly kind and patient and generous already. I will write and explain that you can’t do more than you have. Someday I will make it up to you. Of that you can be sure.
It’s true that I’ve finished the book—minus a few vital paragraphs. Part Four runs 140 pages. Shawn cabled me: ‘Incomparable. An authentic masterpiece.’ Well, at least it now exists—though hidden under a barrel.
I loved my valentine, precious Marie. Did you get one from a ‘Dark Handsome Stranger’? Did those chocolates ever arrive?
Am trying to work up some spirit to go to Rome. I’m afraid Vi will be disappointed, as I haven’t been in the mood to make many social arrangements. But I will be glad to get away from here for a week! Will return here on March 5th and depart for the U.S. around March 20th. All my love—
T.
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO CECIL BEATON
[Verbier, Switzerland]
20 March 1965
Dearest Cecil—
Finished book. Was bored and badly depressed, so went to Rome for 2 weeks, where promptly succumbed to Asian Flu. When somewhat recovered went to St. Moritz with the Agnellis208—seemed like every
