1937

The most sustained crisis in the early diaries.

The Winter

Starting January 23, nearly every family member falls sick with overlapping respiratory infections. JJL tracks temperatures obsessively:

Stayed home all day taking care of family. Dr. Dutton came out to the house early this morning and late this evening. Jack had temp of 103 to 104 all day. Bill and Leonora in bed sick; had fever. (January 25)

Dutton and Rennick out this morning. Report moisture in Bill’s lungs. Leonora has very bad throat. I was up most of night taking care of family. (January 27)

Bill’s chest X-ray on February 13 shows unresolved pneumonia. On February 14, JJL loads the entire family — Leonora, Jack, Bill, and the maid Augustina — into the Chevy and drives from El Paso to San Antonio, settling at 950 Bailey Street for recovery.

Then Jack gets measles (confirmed March 18). Then Bill gets measles (March 27). Bill develops croup (March 29). Meanwhile, Leonora’s father Harrell Lackey is hospitalized with flu in San Antonio. The crisis lasts nearly three months.

Margaret’s Case Resolved

On June 10, JJL receives a certified copy of the court papers from Live Oak, Florida:

Received from Circuit Court Clerk at Live Oak, Fla, a certified copy of papers relating to R. J. Dewey’s conviction and sentence to 20 yrs at hard labor for Margaret’s murder.

The Rest

JJL’s salary at the IBC is raised to $3,700 a year. The family moves from 3719 Clifton to 3902 Idalia in May. On December 21, he buys Jack a roll-top desk. The ground is covered by snow.