The "Will" of the Prairie: Red Cloud's Tale Spinner

"Superstition vs. Investigation" was the title of Willa Cather's commencement address given at her high school graduation on June 5, 1890 at the Opera House in Red Cloud, Nebraska. In this sweeping review of Western learning and thought, Cather stated boldly "It is the most sacred right of man to investigate; we paid dearly for it in Eden, we have been shedding our heart's blood for it ever since. It is ours; we have bought it with a price." Willa, or Will as she preferred, was a notable wunderkind and a definite odd duckl, in this prairie outpost, but she was accepted almost without question and became a vital part of this embryonic community. One of three in her graduating class, which was only the third class since the school had been started, it is safe to say that many of those gathered hadn't a clue what she was talking about, and, much of what they did understand was out of tune with their beliefs.. But- Willa was first and foremost one of theirs and they were proud of her oratorical skills.
Cather came with her family to Webster Co., Nebraska at the age of ten. She experienced in her six years in Red Cloud the invention of a community. From the sod cave that the Cather's inhabited during the first winter to the life in the new bustling town, flush with optimism and potential for financial success, Willa took it all in, and then left after her graduation. She returned for visits frequently as her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and brothers and sisters were here for many years, but she never again lived in Red Cloud. It became, in a sense, a hermetically sealed vault of deeply felt, almost archetypal experiences which would be a well-spring of ideas for many of her stories. This was a town giddy with growth and success, a town that welcomed as many as nine passenger trains a day, that established a horse drawn street car to bring the hoards of new settlers into downtown from the depot. The founder of Red Cloud, Silas Garber, served as one of the first governors of the new state of Nebraska. This was a place which had many hardships and tragedies served up to its citizens, but delivered on the promise of success for the Cathers and other families from the East and many parts of Europe.

In Red Cloud, Willa found mentors- adults who helped her learn, made her feel safe and in the way they lived their lives emphasized the happiness and satisfaction that was possible through hard work and a loving committment to others. From Mrs. Weiner, who lived just behind them in Red Cloud, she learned to love French and German and, of course, reading since the Weiners had lots of books and loved to lend them. From William Ducker, "Uncle Billy," she learned Greek and Latin and maintained a love of these ancient languages and the stories of Classical Literature throughout her life. Under the tutelage of Dr Cook and her work at his City Pharmacy, she learned dissection and a love of science, and when she left for the University of Nebraska she fully intending to study to become a doctor. Those of us who love her stories were saved from a great loss by a teacher- her English Professor in Lincoln, Ebenezer Hunt. Willa always maintained a romantic view of the first pioneer generation that she had watch build the town that always remained her true home. She said "The Old West had been settled by dreamers, great-hearted adventurers who were unpractical to the point of magnificence; a courteous brotherhood, strong in attack but weak in defense, who could conquer but could not hold." To be continued...