10310 Wiegand Avenue
Los Angeles
2 November

Dear Harold;

It was good to get a note from you. This is not an exciting exile, but it is exciting to know that things are still going on there. I am basking in the sun and reflecting on the cosmic cycle that has brought me back, after ten years, to my starting point; it's a great life, when you're unemployed more profitably. Not without its humors either. But L. A. is really a joy after Huntsville. I praise the stars that I didn't have to jump from Harlem here, however; my mood might not have been so sweet.

The idea of writing a one-act comedy had occured to me. If you will help me get a copy of the *Challenge* issue containing that story (mine has been misplaced in moving), I'll be glad to experiment with a dramatization. Hope you don't want to go into rehearsals before Xmas though. It would take me till about then, with stuff I have in the pot now.

Fay Jackson tells me she had a letter from you. She is a grand girl. Wallie knows her well. They had a lot of fun with an alcoholic wedding announcement, or rather marriage announcement.

I am wishing you a good season with the Harlem little theatre project. Wouldn't it be good if you could pick up something with a STEVEDORE punch? I think Mackay could do that sort of play.

t

731 East 50th Place
Chicago, Ill
2 February '36

Dear Harold;

Thanks for your note. The publishers, I am told, took
BLACK THUNDER for artistic reasons, not expecting it to have a
large sale. Of course, I hope they are justified in their estimate
of the book, but I'd like to see them embarrassed in the second
matter. I do think I was fortunate to interest a good publisher
in the kind of material presented--Negroes in a historical set-
ting. Morrows, who did YOU CAN'T PET A POSSUM, thought it was
out of the question. I have just seen the Literary Digest review
in this week's issue, and I hope that the Times and the Tribune
will be as favorable--if they notice the book at all. I've learned
that those two are the only ones that count in book circles outside
of New York, speaking from a commercial point.

Langston is still in town, making notes for the novel of Chicago
riots which he is to write on his Guggenheim. Incidentally, I have
just been commissioned to do a child's book between now and August.
I've never before had money in advance, before writing....Charles
Johnson was here recently. Johnny Davis is about, exceedingly busy.
Margaret Bonds adores you. Anthony Hill asks about Ed Perry.

Tell me how ST. LOUIS WOMAN turns out on the stage. I must try
a play with a historical setting.

Ever sincerely,

After 5 days, return to

Arna Bontemps
731 East 50th Place

CHICAGO, ILL.

Mr. Harold Jackman
442 Manhattan Avenue
New York, N. Y.

2

25 Jan. '35

10310 Wiegand Ave.

L. A.

Dear Harold;

Most of the news I've had since you wrote has been very bad news. About Bud and Wallie, for example. I didn't even know Bud was sick, and I had no idea Wallie was in such immediate danger.

Sonya Krutchkoff obliged very kindly and promptly, following your note to her. Thanks.

What have you been doing in your theatre? I have put my novel aside to cool, so now I can think about dramatizing A SUMMER TRAGEDY. I do think you gave me a good suggestion on that, especially since the thing touches on conditions that people should know about..... Of course, this may be too late for the present season, but I will let you have a copy as soon as it is ready.

Yes, I am interested in themes from Negro history. Our writers have neglected them thus far. More about that anon.

You know Langston went to Mexico City. I have not heard from him since Christmas, but I imagine he's still there.

I have just had a long walk this morning. The thermometer reads 73. I returned with my coat on my arm--and panting.

Hello to all.

Ever,

703 E. 50th Place
Chicago, Illinois

8 January '41

Dear Harold:

The story called SHINE BOY was revised to become YOU CAN'T PET A POSSUM, published by Morrow in 1934. Oddly enough, I had already sent a copy of the early version to Carl Van Vechten. If he can use two, he is of course welcome so far as I'm concerned. Otherwise, maybe the Schomburg collection would like the second copy.

No luck thus far in locating the items you mentioned. I'll keep trying. Meanwhile, I do have among my things a copy of *Fire* (autographed by Wallie and others) if the JWJ collection could use it.

Also, I hear that A. J. Garry, S. J., a Catholic priest of this city (St. Ignatius High School, 1076 West Roosevelt Road) has assembled an extensive bibliography of Negro references--some 19,000 cards. When last I heard, he seemed to be seeking a way to put it to useful service. He hoped to have it published. My guess is that by now he has found out that it is nearly impossible to get a bibliography published in book form. Hence, here is a suggestion: If Mr. VV or some well-placed friend (perhaps a Catholic of influence) would write to Father Garry describing the JWJ collection, it might result in his making a substantial contribution to the collection. Please do not use my name or otherwise suggest that I prompted the request. It might, however, be said that a friend connected with the Julius Rosenwald Fund told you he had heard about the collection through someone in their office. This is a roundabout way to get the message to Mr. VV--especially in view of the fact that I'm going to write him soon--but it seems to fit here, and you may see him before I get around to my letter.

I like the NEGRO CARAVAN very much. My work on Frederick Douglass is getting under way slowly. I'm trying to get a look at "The Narrative of F. D.", his first book. Later editions I have. If you can help me beg, borrow or buy the former, I'll be rosy with glee. Have you seen one about?

Hello to Dorothy and Ivy, etc.

Ever,

703 E. 50th Place

Chicago, Illinois

11 November '41

Dear Harold:

I'm glad the books finally caught up with you. When I left, I didn't see Charlene, as I had expected, so left them with Doug and Alta, who took me to the train.

NATIVE SON opened here last night to a kind of audience it could never have in N. Y. Negroes had taken over the entire house as a benefit for the Good Shepherd Community Church. Only a sprinkling of whites got in, the result being that they giggled all through the early scenes, particularly during Mary Dalton's advances, and went wild during the final speech of Max, the lawyer. Some of them even shouted from the balcony, "Tell 'em 'bout it!" Altogether it was a lively night.

Next week I'm going to be the guest on the CBS program "Of Men and Books". We broadcast here on Tuesday the 18th, but I'm not sure when the N. Y. transcription is aired. In any case, something will be said both about GOLDEN SLIPPERS and FATHER OF THE BLUES, not to mention other Negro books of the fall.

My best to Ivy.

Ever sincerely,

703 E. 50th Place
Chicago, Illinois
25 March '42

Dear Harold:

Without recourse to The Negro Caravan at the moment, and without quite remembering what they said about Wallie, I may still be able to add one or two items about him to your sketch.

Los Angeles, as you know, was not Wallie's home. He came there from Salt Lake City for a twofold purpose (in my opinion). Ostensibly his primary aim was to attend U. S. C. (which he did), but I am now sure that he was already suffering with TB. When I first met him, he seemed to have all the marks. However, during the next two years he blossomed. He took on weight, and his vitality increased greatly. For the rest of his time in the West he worked in the Post Office at night and attended the University by day.

Before I knew him, Wallie had been enrolled in the pre-medical course. Later he discovered that writing was his interest. From that time onward he lost sight of degrees and studied the subjects that seemed to promise some use in his field.

For two or three months Wallie and I worked in the same post office, both as clerks and both at night, without meeting each other. A few months later, after I had given up the jab, we became acquainted through mutual friends--also interested in writing.

Wallie edited one (and perhaps two) little magazines on the coast, just as he did in Harlem. To one of them I contributed, but for the life of me I can't remember the names of the periodical. Fay Jackson could tell you (she's a gal Wallie and I both liked a heap). A letter directed in care of Billie Still would perhaps be forwarded to her. She might otherwise add to this account, too.

The boys at U. S. C. taught Wallie to drink gin (he often told me). This would be of no importance, except that it perhaps shortened his life--since he was obviously too delicate to carry it.

In N. Y., before the literary set met Wallie, this is briefly what happened. He got a room with my landlady in the apartment house on the NW corner of Fifth Avenue at 129th Street--Mrs. M. C. Strachan. Almost immediately he found a job running an elevator in an apartment building on Seventh Avenue, about 115th Street--then white--east side of street. He worked nights, and he liked it because he could read for hours each evening. Soon he took an examination for the Customs House. He passed, got a call, but did not report. By then he had "discovered" Harlem, and he didn't want to be tied down. Then he had an unhappy experience--which only two or three living people know about, and which I will withhold a bit longer, since I hope to use it as the basis for a novel. At any rate, it left him shaken for a time, and he withdrew to Morris Park--a friend of mine lived there--