Across the Spectrum:The Interdisciplinary Life and Letters of John G. Neihardt (‘Flaming Rainbow’)

Professor Sanford Gray 932 Lincoln Vermillion, South Dakota 57069

That was one of the finest letters I have ever received, and I have received many fine ones. I don't see how I can qualify for your image of me, but I accept it because it is yours and perhaps I deserve some of it. I certainly hope so.

In the first place, I am delighted over the news of Christopher's safe arrival and I am looking forward to becoming acquainted with him. Here is a hearty handshake for him.

I am out of the hospital and back home at Youngs, but I am not well yet and as a matter of fact I feel that the letter I am dictating far from represents my feeling for you. I wish I could see you and have a good talk.

I am delighted to hear about your progress with the novel. How I do hope the book will find an enthusiastic publisher and will hit it right with the public

Your film on Oscar Howe excites me and I do wish I could see and hear it. Tell me more about it and the way it is being received. How fine it was that you had Price as the narrator.

As you know, Neihardt Day is celebrated at Bancroft on the first Sunday in August each year. I wish you could be there this year, and I wish it were possible to play Sigurd's tape for the assembled crowd. He made only one tape, one of which you have. Am I right? And if so, could a copy be made from your tape? Mr. Young has a very good player and I have thought it would be good to run Sigurd's tape for the assembled crowd. Let me know about this soon.

You did have a close shave with death and disaster, didn't you? And even so, It is thrilling to hear about.

I was making good progress on the second volume of my "autobiography" when I became sick. I was doing a good job when I was stopped. I was with Captain Grant Marsh in his pilot house on the Yellowstone, and he was telling me things that have not been told before. It's a pretty good story. I was moving toward the Curly incident and the fast trip down the Yellowstone in the Far West with a cargo of Reno's wounded.

I am writing a very poor letter, as I know, for I seem to be somebody else trying to be me.

(P.S.

Gaki woke up at three o'clock on the morning of June 13 with stabbing pains in his ribs and back. X-rays revealed that the seventh lumbar i vertebra had collapsed, bringing undue pressure involving the ribs and the abdominal area. It was very painful and has now been alleviated to some extent by the weari ing p of a brace when out of bed. He has been home from the hospital since July 3.