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Fanomena, March 1948

Page 12

Harper Star Route
Kerrville, Texas
1/29/48

Dear Andy:

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Dr. David H. Keller and his wife, from whom I learned that you are planning an all-Keller issue of FANOMENA. I thought that perhaps you might be interested in my impressions of him, since I have known him but a short time--as contrasted with those fortunate individuals who have known him longer than myself.
I was busy with finals at the University of Texas when I found a note from Dr. Keller in the mail and learned that he was but thirty odd miles from my home in Kerrville. I couldn't have been more astounded if Ernest Hemingway had walked into my rooms and said, "I hear you're chad Oliver, and I want to talk to you."
We made arrangements to meet at my home between semesters, and on the appointed day I was unavoidably late. I had wired my parents, but, as we live way out in the hills, the telegram had not reached them. They had no idea who or what Dr. Keller might be, nor had the couple with them at the time.
I walked into the house, three hours late, and there they were. Dr. Keller and his wife were firmly entrenched. I met them both and settled back to listen.
Dr. Keller fascinated my father, also a doctor. He charmed my mother. He swapped stories with Mr. Hartshorn, a good friend of ours, old-time Westerner and no mean story-teller himself. I listened.
Dr. Keller can tell a story like nobody else in this world. His deep voice captivates and enchants, and his eyes are bright under heavy brows. I think he hypnotized us all unintentionally.
I had never read much of Keller before; he was before my time. I read the few times I had--"The Literary Corkscrew", "The Boneless Horror", "The Ivy War". I went to see him and spent the day with him and his wife.I listened and read and talked a little. I got to know Dr. Keller and his wife pretty well, and the more I learned the more I admired--about both of them. For you cannot forget Mrs. Celia Keller, once you have met her. She is a remarkable woman, and was by no means eclipsed by the colonel--who is not exactly an unobtrusive personality.
Dr. Keller read to m e from "The Sign of the Burning Hart", and I read in manuscript a chapter from "The Back Door", a study of his work with the insane. I listened to him talk about great writing, about his life, and what he tried to say in his work.
Tonight I read "The Golden Bough", and I could hear that deep voice, see those eyes. Not a word too much, nothing superfluous. Great.
Ladies and gentlemen and Andy, the extent to which Dr. David H. Keller is a great writer depends on how much of himself is in the stories he writes. For Dr. Keller is something that doesn't come along very often--a spiritually great man.
This is a long letter, and perhaps of little or no use. But Dr. Keller is not a man to be condensed into a paragraph. He himself might be able to do it, with his keen understanding of this odd thing we call homo sapiens. It is quite beyond me.
I have not done justice to Keller as a writer, as a man, or as a friend. But we can all feel proud that we know him--and consider ourselves damned lucky people8

Most sincerely,
Chad Oliver [[signature]]
Chad Oliver
12

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Harper Star Route Kerrville, Texas 1/29/48 Dear Andy: I recently had the pleasure of meeting Dr. David H. Keller and his wife, from whom I learned that you are planning an all-Keller issue of FANOMENA. I thought that perhaps you might be interested in my impressions of him, since I have known him but a short time--as contrasted with those fortunate individuals who have known him longer than myself. I was busy with finals at the University of Texas when I found a note from Dr. Keller in the mail and learned that he was but thirty odd miles from my home in Kerrville. I couldn't have been more astounded if Ernest Hemingway had walked into my rooms and said, "I hear you're chad Oliver, and I want to talk to you." We made arrangements to meet at my home between semesters, and on the appointed day I was unavoidably late. I had wired my parents, but, as we live way out in the hills, the telegram had not reached them. They had no idea who or what Dr. Keller might be, nor had the couple with them at the time. I walked into the house, three hours late, and there they were. Dr. Keller and his wife were firmly entrenched. I met them both and settled back to listen. Dr. Keller fascinated my father, also a doctor. He charmed my mother. He swapped stories with Mr. Hartshorn, a good friend of ours, old-time Westerner and no mean story-teller himself. I listened. Dr. Keller can tell a story like nobody else in this world. His deep voice captivates and enchants, and his eyes are bright under heavy brows. I think he hypnotized us all unintentionally. I had never read much of Keller before; he was before my time. I read the few times I had--"The Literary Corkscrew", "The Boneless Horror", "The Ivy War". I went to see him and spent the day with him and his wife.I listened and read and talked a little. I got to know Dr. Keller and his wife pretty well, and the more I learned the more I admired--about both of them. For you cannot forget Mrs. Celia Keller, once you have met her. She is a remarkable woman, and was by no means eclipsed by the colonel--who is not exactly an unobtrusive personality. Dr. Keller read to m e from "The Sign of the Burning Hart", and I read in manuscript a chapter from "The Back Door", a study of his work with the insane. I listened to him talk about great writing, about his life, and what he tried to say in his work. Tonight I read "The Golden Bough", and I could hear that deep voice, see those eyes. Not a word too much, nothing superfluous. Great. Ladies and gentlemen and Andy, the extent to which Dr. David H. Keller is a great writer depends on how much of himself is in the stories he writes. For Dr. Keller is something that doesn't come along very often--a spiritually great man. This is a long letter, and perhaps of little or no use. But Dr. Keller is not a man to be condensed into a paragraph. He himself might be able to do it, with his keen understanding of this odd thing we call homo sapiens. It is quite beyond me. I have not done justice to Keller as a writer, as a man, or as a friend. But we can all feel proud that we know him--and consider ourselves damned lucky people8 Most sincerely, Chad Oliver [[signature]] Chad Oliver 12