Typed letter front and back from Nancy C. Russell to Mr. W. S. Hart dated October 15, 1938 asking advice about her Pierce Arrow Car.

Trail’s End, 725 Michigan Blvd., Pasadena, California. October 15th, 1938. Mr. William S. Hart, c/o Astor Hotel Times Square New York, New York. Dear Bill: Your letter was very soothing to my mental anguish and the thing that cheers me most is that I still have you to turn to and goodness knows I do need you. I am going to ask advice right now. My beautiful Pierce Arrow car is standing up on stilts here in my gar- age. You know the turn-in value on a big car that has to be driven by a chauffeur, is very little . My car is in perfect condition and would give lots of service to anybody that could use it. I probably will not have any one to drive for me again. Jack will marry some of these days soon and has his own little car which is all he can afford to keep up. I have no right to infringe on his time as he will have his wife to give his time to and I don’t intend to put myself into that picture at all. I paid $3365.00 for this car and it has never been abused as Ted drove it whenever I didn’t. What would you advise me to do? You won’t need to write me about it as I can wait until you get home to talk the matter over unless there is something you think I should do right away. I have some fine photographs of all of the paintings and, as I can do it, am getting the descriptions written. Would it d [sic] any good for me to send you a copy of all this? I hope your work is straightening out better for you in New York without too much disappointment and that Mamie is feeling lots better and getting ready to come home with you because I know that is what would make you both happy. There is a girl here in Pasadena who is going to be mighty happy to hear your voice when you get home. I am trying to do as Ted’s last message to me suggested – “Keep up your chin and smile” but it is pretty hard to smile when you are bleeding to death inside. You will be glad to know that Ted didn’t suffer at the end but just slept away. He said “It is all right you know the bubble has to break some time” . I had such a sweet letter from a girl up there of whom I am very fond telling me that where Ted is resting it is very beautiful and like the Montana he loved with tall pines to guard the sacred spot. Indeed, I hope some time we can do as you say – visit that spot. If Ted cannot make us know he is there, we will know he is there and that he under- stands that we are thinking of him. When there was such talk of war Ted said if our Country gets into it, we will go to my place at the Lake – Bill Hart and his immediate family and me and my immediate family – where we can live and raise our food and be practically safe from bombing from the air where this part of the Country would be right in the path of it. He said he hoped he wouldn’t have to wait that long before his friends saw his little Dream House and oh, the dreams we all had about that little house. I know he was happy making it just as beautiful as he knew how because I was to have gone next year if my health would have allowed it. The doctor was here yesterday and said “I always knew you were a trump [“] and that I came through this trying week marvelously well. My heart is really so much better. He says the beats carry clear through now and my blood pressure is as good as he could expect it to be. He says if I continue to go as I have been doing, that soon I will be almost as good as new. Tell Mamie for me please, that I am praying that she will be able to stand the ride to come to see me this fall. I would have such fun showing her my birds especially if I am able to walk around a little which I hope to be doing soon after Thanks-Giving. With deep appreciation of your friendship, I am Sincerely yours,

[Transcript by Lauren B. Gerfen, 2012-08-28]