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[169] X [Letter about a Visit with Garland in 1938] W. D. Addison W. D. Addison (?–?) was the principal of the Osage, Iowa, high school. 2 december 1939 My dear Mr. Hill: I received your request for information concerning Hamlin Garland and am only too glad to cooperate with you in your worthy task. A few years ago when I first came to Osage, I naturally was interested in Hamlin Garland who spent his youth here. I began to read his works which depict the pioneer days of the middle border as well as the many other travels he has pursued. In looking around us to-day, one realizes that time has erased most of the characters of his book. Very few people are alive now who were here then. Unfortunately some of [the] things that are recalled are the oddities of the Garland family which would perhaps be best unsaid in a biography. Mrs. Garland was much beloved but her husband was more eccentric; the report is that he was stingy. When Hamlin Garland returned after a long absence as recalled in his book, A Son of the Middle Border, he didn’t recognize some former friends who took offense at the omission. It is of course understandable why a person might forget some people after a long absence. Others took offense at his reference to Osage and how small it looked to him when he returned. (I must confess that the first time I returned to my home town after much absence that it seemed a great deal smaller.) Mr. Garland remembered a Mrs. Hope Loomis when I saw him in Los Angeles who is still living here. Other persons who would know a great deal about the Garlands are Mrs. Wm. Markham of Osage, and Rev. John Gammond of Cresco, Iowa. Rev. Gammond is an ex–Methodist minister and a former classmate of Hamlin Garland and should be able to give you much information. garland in his own time [170] About a year and a half ago, while taking graduate work at the University of Southern California, I had the desire to meet Mr. Garland. I called him by the telephone and made an appointment. He was most gracious in receiving me and I was much impressed by his surroundings. I spent an hour with him. I am inserting here notes from my diary following the visit— July 17. Los Angeles. 1938. I called on Hamlin Garland at 2045 De Mille Dr at 5 p.m. I was received by Mrs. Garland who introduced me to their daughter and son-in-law. Mr. Garland and I were left alone on their front patio. He has a beautiful home overlooking a wooded ravine covered with ivy. One may see the mountains in the distance. It was an ideal setting for a writer. I know he must receive much inspiration. Mr. Garland was in a very reflective mood as I told him I was from Osage. His mind seemed to turn back to the memories of old. So many years have passed that I know it was with difficulty he recalled names and places. He recalled the many hard maples which had been planted and which I informed him had come to maturity and made Osage a town of beauty. He recalled his days in the Seminary and particularly Professor Bush.1 He expressed a wish that the old Seminary building be preserved and thought it would be fine if the upper floor could be restored as a chapel with pictures of such people as Professor Bush. He mentioned “batching” it and living in what we call the “Traveler’s Inn.” He thought of the Seminary and high school as at the edge of town. I assured him that the town had grown past these now. He showed me his studio on the second floor of his home. It has a beautiful view also. He has books by friends autographed. His original manuscripts were stacked on a table. He said “I have to put my house in order.” He told of his plans to dispose of the manuscripts to colleges and the Congressional Library. He served a refreshing drink of ginger ale. He urged me to return any day after four to have coffee with him and to bring my family. Mr. Garland is a man of wonderful poise and sincerity. He shows the fine cultural background he has had through the years. He doesn’t have much sympathy...

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