William Sidney Porter Papers
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Letters from Sara Coleman Porter
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Included is a 1907 letter to Lily Benbow, with cover, in which Sara speaks of her marriage and early family life. Two 1910 letters to Lily speak of the death and last moments of William Sydney Porter and are on mourning stationery. These letters also discuss Sara's relationship with William Sydney Porter immediately prior to his death. Also included is a cover, without an address, to Lily Benbow in the handwriting of Sara Coleman Porter. The telegram was sent by Sara Coleman Porter to her mother, Mrs. William Coleman, announcing the death of William Sydney Porter. An undated letter to Eli Oettinger speaks of Porter's refusal to return to Texas, while the 1939 item to Eli Oettinger was in response to his request for a photograph of her. A 1947 letter to Earl Weatherly declines to his invitation to visit Greensboro and speaks of "one of her treasures," a letter from William Sydney Porter that she apparently enclosed for him.
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Letters from Shirley Worth Porter
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These letters are addressed to Mrs. Harry Thornton in Greensboro. They speak of Shirley's nickname "Shell" and how it was acquired, mutual acquaintances in Greensboro, a description of the original Porter drug store, a sketch made by Shirley Porter of the Porter home on West Market St., and Dr. J. K. Hall. They also discuss Shell's birthplace, early childhood, and other items relating to the Porter family in general.
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Letters to and from E.M. Oettinger
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This group includes three items addressed to Eli Oettinger, ten carbon letters written from Eli Oettinger, and six memorandum sheets written by Eli Oettinger. The 1937-1939 items relate to Mr. Oettinger's attempts to add to his collection of O. Henry materials. Among the three letters addressed to E.M. Oettinger is a TLS (typed letter signed) by Upton Sinclair. The memoranda deal with William Sydney Porter's publications and his pen name.
