1928

The diary begins on September 8, 1928, in San Antonio. John Jackson Ledbetter Jr. buys a Corona typewriter on installment and begins a record that will span thirty-three years.

The Move to Dallas

On October 31, the Flood Prevention Department where JJL works is abolished. He is laid off. The weeks that follow are anxious — he writes letters seeking engineering work to firms in Dallas, Kansas City, Waco, Houston, and Del Rio.

Before leaving, he has a confrontation with the Mayor of Laredo over taking old blueprints from City Hall. The Mayor’s secretary sends a search party after him.

Saw Mayor Chambers and asked him about the excitement caused by my carrying off a few blue prints. Told him that if I wanted to steal from the city I would have taken their money while I was in charge of various construction jobs in place of a few blue prints. (October 17)

He moves to Dallas on October 30, finding an apartment at 5104½ Miller Court. His bank balance after outstanding checks: $52.28.

Bits of Life

He attends the A&M vs. SMU football game on November 10 (a 19–19 tie). While at the game, someone steals his new spare tire.

By December he has moved again, to 4916½ San Jacinto Street. The diary settles into a pattern of meticulous financial and professional record-keeping that will continue for decades.