My sister Mary bought a house,
at 1539 Pineview Terrace in Atlanta, in September 1929. She purchased it, without a down
payment, just before the depression and sold it years later just before prices went up.
Clayton was the first of the children to move in with her. In fact, he moved in when she
did! I went to live with her after school was out at the end of the spring of 1930. I was
14. I was still in Fitzgerald earlier that spring and have a postcard she wrote to me at
G.M.A. October 30, 1930. She said: "Watch out or the spooks will get you." When
over the years I have thanked and praised her for what she did, she has replied: "It
is what I thought I was supposed to do." This reflects the values instilled by our
parents, but sad to say these values are not as prevalent as they once were.
In June 1930, I learned that my brother Davis had married Edna Lewis in New York three or four months earlier. I said: "I like his wife. I know we all do." February 17, 1931, Frank wrote me from New York and said Edna and Davis had a son about a week and a half ago. I commented: "I am an Uncle now. 15 years old." Their son was named Davis Courtney Bales.
December 29, 1930 was a time of rejoicing. I wrote: "All the boys of our family were together for the first time since January 7, 1927 at the funeral of our parents in Fitzgerald. All the children were there except Mabel and Mildred."
The reason I went to live with Mary during the summer was that my guardian, Uncle Jess Massey, thought that it would be profitable for me to leave Fitzgerald and attend Georgia Military Academy (now Woodward Academy) in College Park, Georgia. My sister Mary confirmed my recollection that it was not because I had been giving Grandma trouble. On September 10, 1930 I moved to a dormitory room in G.M.A. at the age of fourteen. GMA could be reached by street car from Atlanta.
I have reproduced material from the diary I kept, beginning in January 1931, in order to preserve the attitudes and reactions of this then 15 year old boy.
Mary gave me the diary for Christmas 1930. Since I did not get the diary until then, my first notations were for January 1, 1931. To illustrate how times change, I recently found in this diary some blocks of three cent stamps and a one cent stamp. Three cents for first class postage, in contrast with 29 cents today (April 23, 1991). Postcards were then once cent and are now nineteen.
My first statement in the diary for Thursday, January 1, 1931 was: "We (Mary, Franklin, Davis, Clayton, Edna and I) went to see Uncle Charles and Uncle Raymond Davis. They leave for N.Y. in the morning. Everything almost o.k." The next day I wrote that "Davis, Franklin, Edna and Clayton left for N.Y. this morning. I hated to see them go. Hope to see them next summer. It's 10 till three. Back to G.M.A. soon. Here's hoping we all make good." Clayton did not stay long in New York with Edna.
On January 3 I mentioned that I had seen a "picture of Edna's sister (Marie). She is pretty. Ha!" On January 4 I noted that my "Mother and Father were killed at 7:31" p.m. in 1927. Had a fuss with my roommate on the 5th but noted things were o.k. "Not studying hard. Going to do better." On the 6th I noted "More bullshooting. I like to do that. Dream of my dream girl. Oh! Ah!" (I did not have a girl friend until the second year in college.) Saturday, January 7th there was to be an inspection. It turned out to be an inspections "of just anything. Rooms, packs, rifles, shoes, leggings, and yourself". January 8th: "More bull shooting. Writing by light from crack." We had to turn the lights off at a certain hour. On January 9th I noted that I "shined Burleson's boots and putties, etc." "Keyholing" Miss Sarah Whitehead. She was in charge of the dining room and her room was next to ours. Some of the older boys, when she was not in her room, punched a small hole through the door that joined our rooms (which was of course locked). They would come into our room and use the "keyhole". I never used it and was afraid to report it. On January 10th I said: "How I hate to get up at reveille these mornings." January 12 "My roommate is gooffee. I have not seen a girl around College Park that I would want to go with. I sure need to study." (I would have been afraid to ask one for a date even if I wanted to go with one.) The 13th: "If I don't pass and make good grades its nobody's fault but mine." 15th: "Blankdy blank I'll Grr. We thought reveille was going to be at 5:15. Whee but it was changed. One of Brewster's ideas." He was one of the teachers and military officials there. 16th: "Practiced track today with Hornsby shoes. My roommate wanted to hunt up my girl friend Montie. I don't want to." I never dated her. 17th: "Went to see Mary today. Glad to see her. Sweet sister. Had card from Clayton."
19th: "Exams are coming. I don't dread them." Jan.22: "I sure get sleepy in study hall these nights. I wish I could go to bed earlier." At times in the diary I signed off "goodbye". 24th: "Hot dog! I got off this weekend." Tom Barnett, one of Mary's boyfriends, brought me back to school on the 25th. "We paraded and I thought I would pass out my hat was on so tight." Also the high collar was tight. "May be good to look at but misery for us." In this type of parade we did maneuvers by counting so many steps, then right, etc. I could not even see when we started out but went by counting. Jan 26th: "Letter from Uncle Massey (my Guardian), Bank in Fitzgerald closed the 11th. His money is tied up. I studied tonight. Goodbye." Our Guardian controlled the money we got from the railroad when our parents were killed. $15,000 for 7 children. Money went a lot further those days. Jan. 28th: "Tried to get me to go to dance. I am not going. OH am I sleepy and do my eyes hurt. I'm going to be before taps. We had music at supper tonight. We beat Boys High. Tech High beat us." 29th: "How I hate reveille and school and drill and all. Just ways to kill cadets." The upper classmen lorded it over a person, and hazed the newcomers who were "rats" -- all of students were rats their first year. Since this was my first year I was a rat. 30th: "Reid and DeJanetta talked me into going to the dance. I paid $1 but don't know how to dance. The saps. The more I think of G.M.A. the more I bah. bah." I did not dance at the end of Jan. I noted that Uncle Massey was almost broke because of the bank closing. This was about the only thing I knew about the depression. Feb. 1 I noticed that I had seen Mary over the weekend -- had stayed with her. "Very good sister is Mary." Feb. 2: "I pulled off Burleson's boots last night. He told me to be sure and remember it. But I didn't. Letter from good Old Franklin." Burleson was on guard duty and came in late. I was a rat and he picked on me. I would pull off his boots (after he woke me up) and not remember it the next morning. 3rd: "Blankedy, blankedy. I have 7 hours bull ring, five left now." This was a disciplinary action in which we walked in a circle with rifle, etc. "Did pretty good in school today. I am a bit tired. 8 o'clock." 4th: "I told Zettler and Young to go to hell today." They may have been on their way but they did not go that day. President of Washington & Lee -- today 5th: "G.M.A. a jail. Pretty good at that." On the night of the 7th, Sarg Johnson's house caught fire, and I helped fight it. "Some plaster about socked me in the head but I got out of the way just in time." "I did not know there was so much smoke in the world... I liked to have smothered." I said Sarg was "a good fellow. I don't mind fighting fire. It is fun and thrilling. Sorter wet and hot job." Feb. 9 I mentioned that I had to go do bull ring again. My room was not orderly. Sunday before last my "room was in gross disorder," and are in gross disorder today, and I have put our entire house in gross disorder though it has been decades since I was in G.M.A. One of the points against me on one occasion was: "Floor was not swept properly." 10th: "Woops, hoorah. No bull ring for me this week. Oh! boy what a relief. James Coogler has 5 hours." He was my roommate. "81 Math. 82 Latin. 85 English. 72 History. I have studied a good bit today." I waited tables for part of my board and tuition. "Last night I put some food on Pee-Wee Burleson's table because he got down so late. That sure got him. He thought it was nice for a rat to do that for an old man without being told. He said he would not hit me anymore. Nice boy. We started field problems today. I was the point on the left flank. I like this kind of drill. I did pretty good in school today. I am feeling pretty good, would feel better if I had a letter or two today. Hold everything. Goodnight." Feb. 11: R. Ryan, M.J. Young, A. Balkwell, F. Rouse and I "had a bull shooting contest in Ryan's room about north and south. I think I put Balkwell where he had nothing to say. I am sure glad I am not on bullring. They have to carry rifles. Miss Sarah Whitehead (dietition) promised to make me some fudge soon." "A Mr. Eason, commander of dreadnaught Penn. and Mr. Brice a Shakespeare quoter were in chapel this morn." 12th: Oh I hate to get up on the morn at six so early and bright. They won't let you sleep, they won't let you talk, but walk, walk, walk, walk. Whee, what a drill today. A.K. Ryan made us double time some more the -------sap, grrr." With reference to upper classmen hitting a person, they would sometime line up in the hall on each side and as we ran the gauntlet they would hit us with brooms or with coat hangers." "Last night while Mac Ketharr and I was locked in the shower by Cawthorn and Cozzen, Mac busted a pane in the door and we got out." "I often think of Mother and Father and wonder what it would be like with them here."
Feb. 13: "I wish I could see brothers and sisters. Davis' birthday tomorrow. Good nite. Feeling good." On the 14th we went out for inspection and "Major Brewster announced we would have room inspection in forty-five minutes. We went back and flew about straightening our room. Pee Wee called the floor to attention and Major proceeded to inspect. We were the first one's he inspected. Said in fair condition. After permit approved I lit out. Arrived home. Mary at dentist. The next day I attended Sunday school and the church. "Oh! Sweet Revellie. Drill. Drill. Drill. We drilled in gym without arms. I mean rifles..." There was a lot of sickness at the time. 17th: "I am an Uncle. Davis and Edna have a boy about one and a half weeks ago... Taps. Have to turn off light. Goodnight. Pete Evans said: "Bales get you light out." 18th: "Bunney Rosser (we called him that because his head looked like a rabbit -- he taught Latin) let me out of study hall. He said if he caught me out of my room at -- (confined to quarters during night for study) again it would be two weeks study hall. He put Evans in tonight for being out of room. ..I sure hope I don't get caught out of room again, because I sure hate study hall at night. I would rather be on the bullring almost." 19th: "Brewster made us have our shoes and leggins shined for drill formation today and to do this for other drill formation. Just another thing to make life miserable for us poor, innocent cadets!! Won't you come into my parlor said the spider to the fly. We did. Brewer = spider. Fly = us. I wish all of our family were together. I wonder how are all getting along. I feel pretty good." 20th: "Pee Wee hit me tonight with broom. I'll get 'em." Never did.
21st: "We had room inspection. Jack Mcquarrie stuck me for dirty mirror. Good night. 'God Bless him.'" 22nd: Sunday. "Last night I went to see the movie Dracular. I went to bed around 7. First part of the night I was nervous from picture." Mary had spent the night with a friend Laura whose sister Ruth Selman had died. "I got up at 20 till 12." So I missed church service. "I call GMA and found out there was to be a parade... I was sort of sick at parade and felt real bad. Made some mistakes in Manual..." "Washington's 200 birthday... Hope I can be of 1/100 us to my country as was Great Washington. Honor Washington." 23rd: "98 in History. Capt. Paget said that 98 was the highest grade he had given to anyone this year in history, in which no extra work was turned in. I have the back seat again and intend to hold it at all cost." I do not remember, but I assume that if you did good work you could sit at the back.
24th: "Jock Mcquarrie sure gave us down in the country today. He said that the parade was rotton. He said that he was going to make it hot for us, if we did not drill right he would make us wish we were home." This may have been the day he poked me in the ribs with his riding crop or whatever you call it. "Last Sunday 'B' company (my company) won parade."
25th: "I made 80 in Latin. This gave me an Eagle. I received a box of candy from Grandma today. She is the only one who has sent me a package." Of course, I got to go to Mary's on some weekends. "I wrote a letter to Franklin tonight. I often think of Mother, Dad and home. Wish we were all there. Goodnight."
27th: "Today is Mother's birthday. I wish she were here. Tomorrow Mildred's. Goodnight. Today a good day, Good bye." Mary and Uncle Charles made Mildred a cake. R.L. Aldridge got us some punch. We went down the roof from Cozzen's room to get it. One of the times "Cub Woodward was down there and heard us holler at Boller."
March 1st: "The first day of a new month. How will it end. Happily. Hope so... I feel awful 'bum' today. Cloudy. I am real blue. Wish I was home."
2nd: "Miss Sarah Whitehead gave me some candy tonight. Everything o.k. Good night."
3rd: "Marie Lewis sent me a box of fudge candy. I got it today. Good candy, but why would anyone want to send candy to me, when they never seen me." She was Davis' sister-in-law in Glen Cove, N.Y.... I got my gold eagle today. No. 4... Thinking of my brothers and sisters. Also my dear parents." There sure was a lot of measles at this time.
5th: "I have no bullring. 'Thank God.' God sure is kind to me." "I see my gold eagle flying above my head, going, gone." "Pee Wee was stewed last night. What a shame. Poor kid."
6th: "We got our coveralls today. The first time I hit the ground (in our practice) they split like nobody's business."
8th: "I did not to go to church this morning. Pee Wee broke his word to me and hit me. That sure makes me feel bad." "Mary sure is nice to me. Gives me tickets, money, etc. A real nice and good sister. I sure am lucky... Yesterday I bought a lot of stuff at army store."
9th: "Last night several guys tried to get drunk on a quarter of liquor. Coogler sure is worrisome." He was my roommate and was a good guy.
10th: "My table (I waited tables to help pay my expenses.) Capt. Post, his girl, Mrs. Post, Coogler, J. Peterson, Bill Degarmore, Jack DeJanitte, Shepperd, Synider."
12th: "I had to walk post number three today. "Sarg. Johnson wanted to show me how to face out from my post. He asked for my rifle but I would not give it to him at first, but he said that he wanted to show me something. He said he knew it was against the rule and he was not supposed to do it but he wanted to help me. I gave rifle to him. He is a nice fellow."
14th: Someone told me Mary was a real nice girl. "I know she is nice. Not a better sister to be found." "Miss Whitehead sure is good to me."
16th: More than once I mentioned the fornication that some of the boys became involved in. They would slip out of the dorm at night. Thank God I did not get involved. On the 17th I mentioned one of the cadets who had just had a letter from a girl. She was pregnant. "I sure feel sorry for him. Poor kid. That sure is a hell of a fix to be in. I wonder what he will do. I pray to God that nothing like that will happen to me. I happened at the beach in August." I should have expressed sympathy also for the girl. Such can't happen when one behaves.
March 21, I recorded: "I wrote Clara Bow tonight... I hope I hear from Clara Bow." I did not. She was a famous movie star.
On Sunday, the 22nd, Huff "caught me coming back from church at 11:30. He said for me to explain to Brewster why I was back so early. I wonder what I will say if he wants to send me to church in the Park. I hope not." The cadets went in groups with someone over them. I was the only member of the church of Christ and "called my own roll" when I got to church. The 24th "I went to see Major Brewster today about not staying for church. He asked me where I went to church, etc. and if I ever went to church. I told him I went to church when I was home on weekends. He said that was all right. Why he never lifted his voice. Ha! Ha!
25th: "I took a shot in my arm today for scarlet fever. It did not hurt much." "There was scarlet fever at the Academy." "Brewster fell out of his chair today." "We had chapel today. Sang songs. Chapel is a nice thing."
26th: I was very disgusted because I flunked an algebra test. I said: "Aw Hell." "Bear Woodward said we could go to bed at C.Q. if we wanted to tonight. The boiler is out of order and we have no steam and he thought that it would be too chilly to study. 'Jock' Mcquarrie poked me in the ribs for talking in ranks today. Ha. Ha."
27th: "Full field inspection tomorrow. Let's pray it rains. I have a slight swelling under my chin."
28th: "Certainly is a real, nice lovely sister. Her two fellows met the other day. Tom Barnett seemed to be heart broken."
29th: I mentioned that my chin was very swollen "and sure hurts". "Mrs. Philips said it was from picking a pimple on my chin. I pray to God it does not get worse." On the 30th I went to Dr. C.H. Paine. He was James A. Harding's son-in-law. "He said he did not think the pimple caused it. He said there was a chance it might be mumps." I was put in isolation in the hospital. On the 31st I said: "I have stayed in the hospital all day. What a funny looking face I have. I don't think I have the mumps."
April 1st I went to see "Dr. Paine and he said that I ought to go to the Wesley Memorial Hospital for a few days to be watched, that the gland might have to be opened and drained... they asked so many questions that it sounded like I was about to die. I heard someone moaning when I came in and I was a little worried at first." Mary and Brannon visited me on the 2nd of April and Dr. Paine came by. On the 3rd the doctor examined me and said he wanted to wait another twenty four hours. "I sure get tired of lying in bed. It don't seem like I will get out of here for government inspection." "A mighty good looking nurse bathed me this morn and I had rather bath myself next time. Goodnight. J.D. Bales W.M.H."
On April 4th "I was taken to the operating room at 1:15 all dressed up, put on a board or table. A lady put a thing over my mouth and nose. It smelled but I breathed it. It was hard to breath. First I wondered how long it would take to go to sleep. Then it seemed I breathed real fast and the machine ran faster. I had my hands clasped and one finger and the one others came loose and up and then my hands parted and seem to curl. Something was put over my knees. A negro man felt my pulse, heard a woman say no use to put sheet over me yet. I wonder when they would take gas off. I woke up rolling out of the operating room, every thing went by so fast; got on elevator. Did not know it had started and got off fifth floor. I bet I could have run faster then." "I felt a little drozy and light and funny. The nurse said the gland had gone down. The Dr. said he took almost a cup full of pus out of my swollen gland. It's bandaged and my chin sure feels good. Mary and Tom were over today. Tomorrow is Easter. Mary is going to bring Mildred over. I hope she does. Nurses sure are nice. Haven't see Mildred since October."
April 5th: Mary and Tom could not bring Mildred. "I haven't seen her since Oct. Wish I could see her. I get out tomorrow." On the 6th I still thought I would "leave tomorrow." "I sure hope my chin gets well." Yesterday the Dr. took about 15 inches of piece of cloth out of chin." It was there to "soak up the pus".
I left the hospital on Tuesday April 7 and was "pretty weak and felt like I had spring fever." "I called Major Brewster after this morning. He said the inspectors hadn't arrived yet, but when they did they would first have room inspection. He said I could stay at my sisters or come out and watch them inspect. Mary said I had better stay at home. I surely would like to be at the inspection to try to help out. I know they'll make honor school. I'm with them till the end. Here's hoping."
The 8th I called Mrs. Brewster. She said they did real good and that 'they missed me.' "I went to see Dr. Paine, he dressed my chin, and he said he thought my chin was getting well. I hope so. Wandered around in the woods some more today... I will go back tomorrow evening... I will be glad to get back to school. It is rumored that Mary and Tom might get married, hope not."
April 9th: "Got out to G.M.A. about 3. My room sure was a mess. They had used it as a storage room. Mattresses on the floor, clothes flung all round. Piled up in corners. I have dug around and reached the bottom of the mess at last... Chin feels all right. I believe I will start catching a table soon... I can't find my laundry and have no sheet. Think I will use Coogler's sheets."
The 10th I said: "I locked my room up so it would not be inspected. It is still sure a grand mess." On the 11th, "Major Brewster made everybody go to dance tonight and stay up until 12 o'clock. I got out of it because of sore chin."
April 12th, 1931 "I did not get to church today. Sorry I didn't. I brought out 3 bottles of home brew. Pee-wee and Smith, F. each drank a bottle. Ryan R. Young, Young, M. drank other. Major Rossen was in my room with Mr. Coogler. Coogler, Jr. is back. They were looking for Coogler Jr. clothes. I was scared stiff they would look in my drawer and see the bottles of brew. But they didn't and I was relieved and how." I did not drink, but had brought these to some of the upper classmen, I suppose in a bid for status. I had gotten the home brew from Mr. Henderson who lived next to Mary at 1539 Pineview Terrace in Atlanta. Although I did not smoke, when I was eleven just shortly before my parents were killed, my Mother found some partly smoked cigarettes in my overall pocket. I told her I did not smoke, but had picked up these "butts" as we called them, off the street to give to some kids at school who did smoke. I supposed that was for status or favor also. I remember how I worried, after she died, whether she believed me or not.
Although parents should exercise care lest children lie to them, some seemingly unbelievable stories may be true. This needs to be kept in mind when dealing with children.
However, I did it again May 3rd. I gave C.W. Browne a bottle of home brew which Mr. Henderson had given me.
25th: "I was called on in speech contest and was not prepared. Bunny Rossen sent me out to get it and read it. I went out but did not come back."
26th: We had a parade, there were around 20 organizations in it, from Baker street to the state capitol. "I sure saw some good looking girls today."
27th: "We had school. After dinner there was a town leave. Mary gave me a dollar. She is buying a wrist watch for Mabel's graduation present. She is a nice sweet sister." "Saw some good looking girls today. But my sister was the prettiest and sweetest."
28th: "I have all my lessons tonight. I sure studied for the first time in a long time. Have written my debate. Thank God I'm still living and still have brothers and sisters. Where will I be this time next year?"
May 2nd: "May 2. Mary gave me a 50 cents today. I wish I did not have to get money from her." "Our side won the affirmative. Walker, Fred, best speaker. Capt. Butts got up and said it was the sorriest program he had ever seen and he wanted to apologize for it. Ha. Ha. Nice congratulations."
May 4th. "Had room inspection this afternoon. Was stuck. We had to walk bull ring from three-thirty to five-fifteen and then had to scrub floor. Used three buckets of water which was too much and we (Coogler and I) flooded the hall floor too, which leaked into dining room and ruined table. Bunny blessed Googler out for I was in dining room. Today is Clayton's birthday. Never sent nothing not even a card. I sorry."
May 5th: "Mabel graduates today. I'm getting stronger, thank the Lord. Paget on guard. I was in Burleson's room after taps when he came. Burleson told me to get a glass and get him some water. I did and escaped report."
6th: "Brewster signed permit and I went to see Mabel. Mary said she had gone to the orphan home to see Mildred. I went there and saw Mildred, but Mabel didn't arrive. I sure was glad to see sweet little Mildred. Hadn't seen her in a long time. Had a good supper. Ice cream, strawberries, chicken, rice, gravy, cranberry sauce, besides celery."
10th: "Went to church and Sunday school. Heard G.C. Brewer preach between naps. It was so hot I couldn't stay awake."
15th: "Turned in packs today. Horrah. No study hall tonight."
17th: "My chin has a sensitive scar under it. Exams this week. Two more school days."
18th: "I sure thank God I am not in study hall. Bunny Rossen sure got after me for breaking a saucer."
19th: "I wrestled Pete Evans (N.R.) He and I were about even. He won out."
20th: "Took the Algebra exam today. I had studied so much that I got all mixed up. Don't think I passed it."
23rd: "Whoopee 88 in Latin exam. 92 for quarter in history. 93 for half-year. 75 in English exam." On the 21st I wrote: "I made 58 on Algebra exam. Passed with 70 for year."
24th: "Thank God, B Co. Won parade today which makes her winner of the most parades. Thank God." This illustrates (I was in Co. B) that things mean a lot to people at certain time and places even though not to others or themselves later. We must remember this in dealing with others.
25th: "At the end of program they blew taps. Alas they part never to meet again." This was said about Senior class day. "We sure raise cain at nights now." "We could be out of our rooms and visiting with other cadet's and make noise, which we could not do the rest of the year."
26th: "My button broke off pants at drill. Pants almost came off. My rifle which Shipman used to compete in best drill cadet stayed until fourth to last."
27th: "Turned Fritz (147012) my rifle in today. My dear old pal. Closed last night at G.M.A. this term with Miss Sarah Whitehead's pen. Amen." She was the dietician and was good to me. "Caught table at noon. There was not many people there. I had an examination today to see if I was in physical condition to work. I was."
At the end of the month I wrote: "We G.M.A. fellows parted this month. I wonder which fellows we will never see again. I hope I go back next year." "Remember the one who was your pal at old G.M.A. Hines, North Carolina." At the moment (11-8-85) I do not recall having seen any of them since then with the exception of a very few during 1931-1932.
Some of the upper classmen would short sheet another cadet's bed. They would fold the top sheet as if it were two sheets, and when the fellow tried to stretch out he could not do it. Someone did that in Harding College years later, and the student's feet went through the sheet. Another trick was to put cold water in a bottle, cork the bottle, attach a string to the cork, tie the string to the bottom of the bed. When his feet hit the bottle he would reach down and yank the bottle out, watering the bed from foot to head. While a student in Harding, some others put a garter snake in Tee Winktum (Granville) Tyler's bed. They sat around in his room talking until bed time and continued past bed time. Tee Winktum finally said, fellows I am going to bed whether you stay or not. He got in, said I think there is something in the bed, looked up under the sheet and saw the snake crawling between his legs. He hopped out of bed, grabbed a shoe and almost beat the snake to death before they could stop him.
The Summer of 1931
When I left G.M.A. in May I had hoped to return in the fall. May 28 was the last day of school. I went to live with Mary at 1539 Pineview Terrace in Atlanta. The next day all I did was loaf. Mabel was still in school. On the 30th I visited Jack and Billy Selman and helped them plant a patch of corn and peas. On Saturday the 31st I worked from 1 until 11 p.m. Although I got sleepy they had a radio in the office and I listened to it and did some hunt and peck typing. On Sunday I worked and did not get to attend church services. I answered the telephone at Electrical Research Products, Inc. where Mary worked. Monday I looked for a job without success and also visited my Uncle Charles Davis and his son Charles and his two girls.
June 3, 1931: "Found a piece of grape (shot) that was over near the trenches. Wandered all over."
June 6: "Mildred came out today. She is going to Fitzgerald."
June 8: "Worked today. I am about the only one in the Hurt Building. I sure get sleepy." This was a Sunday job where Mary worked. Had to do with movie bookings. Answered the phone which did not ring very often at night.
June 9: "I have a job for the last two weeks of June. Had a rock battle today."
June 10: "Had a rock battle today."
11th: "Had another rock battle."
12th: "I haven't a thing to do but loaf and I sure get tired of that."
13th: "Wandering around and seeing the town. Franklin graduates the 23rd."
Started to work the week at ERPI on the 15th: "Got sort of sleepy."
16th: "Worked from 5 until 11."
17th: "Writing a good many letters. Worked. Sure get sleepy!"
20th: "Worked. About to burn up."
21st: "I am about to boil. I need help."
22nd: "I sure sweat a tub full."
24th: "It is about 200 I think even in the ice box."
26th: "I called Montie up last night. She said come over and see her." I didn't.
30th: "The big Strib (Stribling, whom I had met) / Max fight is near. Hope God let's Strib win." (Max Schmeling was a boxer from Germany.) I was a boxing fan in those days.
July 2: "I have a piece of grape shot and minnie balls used during the Battle of Atlanta."
3rd: "Strib lost. I hope God gives me a chance at the championship and I win. I will join the (foreign) legion for 3 years and get tough." How one's ambitions can change!!
4th: "Glorious fourth. I shot one fire cracker. Not much more in Atlanta. Thank God we're still free and work to stay free."
5th: "Still want to win championship."
6th: Mr. Ralph Henderson, was an ex-service man, was next door neighbor at 1539 Pineview Terrace (Mary's house). "He has given me the whistle he used in world war and two medals from the trouble in Mexico in 1916. He gave me a boxing lesson. Got letter from Clayton, Bill Degarmore Trading Co., and Uncle Isaac." On the 8th I noted that he (Henderson) was a corp. And in charge of a machine gun squad.
July 10th: "Henderson told me something about war."
11th: "Try to learn how to box from Mr. Henderson. He boxed in army." From July 13 - 15 Henderson built sort of a boxing ring.
July 27th I noticed it was "hot", 28th "hotter", 29th "hottest" still.
August the third wrote: "I am not taking care of my diary."
August 7: Dreamed about G.M.A. Told Mary about it. She had just gotten a letter from Uncle Massey saying I don't go to G.M.A. next year.
There was no entry from then until September 6th and I wrote: "Work."
Email:Mail@jonbales.com
