The Private Journals of Isaiah Watts
Volume II

By: Nicholas Hall
(© 2021-2022 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

nhall@tickiestories.us

Chapter 1
The Missing or Lost Journals 

There are, as mentioned in a previous overview of the material currently under scrutiny, gaps in the continuing, chronological narrative offered by Mr. Watts concerning his life and the activities and adventures thereof. Most of those gaps are, it should be noted, are of relatively insignificance depth or length to prevent the reader from gaining knowledge of the events in Mr. Watt’s life or to disrupt the chronology. However, this gap, the largest and most significant thus far, does cause the serious researcher, and perhaps the not so serious ones as well, concern!

As a result, a knowledge or at least an understanding of history as it relates to the time period under examination and question is important, not imperative, but important!

Given that, a number of inferences or assumption must be made concerning the time period which might or should apply to the time period of approximately 1935 to sometime in the Spring of 1941, probably mid to late August, where the Journals and the entries begin anew. Where those missing Journals are is anyone’s guess. Whether they have been misplaced, relocated in another repository thus far undiscovered, or removed for whatever reason is not known. Perhaps they are under perusal by another researcher.

Given the time period within the gap is almost six years ending around the time our main protagonist, Isaiah Watts and his two companions, also protagonists in these journals met and began a rather sordid, in some peoples’ minds and eyes, contrary to their own restrictive corridor of beliefs, likes, or dislikes, relationship with “Stiffie” Conley. One must note some historical and non-historical data, albeit some of which may be a far reach, must be used to draw certain conclusions and arrive at certain assumptions. One must be cautioned however, when someone assumes, it places an “ass” before “u” and “me.”

To wit: rural electrification came about in 1935 and evidently the Decker’s Corner rural residents quickly gained access and use. Homes and farms were electrified, changing many lives through electrical equipment and appliances along with telephones in the Watt’s farms.

The growing use of gasoline engines in automobiles, trucks, and farm equipment, replacing horses in many areas, improved transportation, farming, and lives in general. Although it should be noted, David Watts appears to have kept some of his equine stock for use on the farm. We know, from reading thusfar, he loved his critters and would be reluctant to give them up entirely. This would prove to be a great asset if one would consider what’d happen in the future few short years. The use of airplanes for transportation and warfare increased as well, changing the world.

The Civilian Conservation Corps was formed and many a young person entered this service to help make ends meet. Garrett Lovell was no exception, although all we do know comes from sporadic letters Mr. Watt’s mentions in his Journals. It is also assumed, since it is mentioned only in passing, the relationship between Garrett Lovell and Zachary Watts wanes and eventually dissolves.

It’d again appear, by casual mention, Joseph married and, partnered with brother Zachary, bought the blacksmith shop and reopened it as a mechanics shop repairing autos and farm equipment as well as a gas station. On the side, Zachary also did appliance repairs. They became the distributors of “bottled gas” (liquid propane in one hundred pound and larger tanks). Where Garrett ended up is not known, perhaps also in some other Journal not yet located. It is inferred he pursued a career in art, with side work on the nefarious and somewhat lewd side with illustrated works and photography.

Isaiah, Gio, and Stephen continued their personal close relationship, each learning from and appreciative of the talents and knowledge of the others. Language skills were not neglected as Isaiah taught Gio and Stephen Romany, while Gio proceeded to share his knowledge of Italian and German with Isaiah, the most proficient in both, while Stephen preferred German, although could “get by” with Italian.

Their personal, very personal one might emphasize, relationship with William Conley, continued to deepen, enjoying his company, mutual pleasures, and activities in general and those who might visit with him. They continued frequent visitations to his farm assisting him in any way they could. He came to rely on them and considered them “his boys” or family since we know not of any relatives he might have had.

Finally, the Depression was easing, but the world was in a great war, with fighting already occurring in Europe, Africa, England, and Asia. War, in 1941, enveloped and was wide spread in Europe and in Asia. Germany, the major aggressor in Europe, was launching attacks on England and all European Countries as well as extending their brutality toward Jews and ethnic minorities in the countries they conquered as well as in Germany. The Nazi horde, with their racist, dictatorial leadership was systematically liquidating those groups they found “inferior” and not of “Arian” heritage.

Mussolini was strutting like the phony Peacock he was, and marching around the Mediterranean creating death, destruction, and havoc as well. He’d align with Germany, but eventually be betrayed by them. His reign of terror would soon come to an end but be replaced by the much more deleterious war crimes and elimination of the Nazi Horde. There were those within the echelons of troops who found particular delight in sodomy type activities with prepubescent and pubescent boys and girls, partaking of those pleasures as they conquered and occupied various countries, cities, towns, or just passing through, enjoying a “quickie” leaving injured, pregnant, and dead youngsters and teens in their wake. 

The situation was not much better in the Asia theater where Japan was flexing its muscle seeking more space to grow and provide the raw materials it needed to grow and become a national power. The atrocities they thundered in deadly manner on the Chinese in 1937 would not be soon forgotten. The Japanese conquering armies were no less brutal or demanding in their treatment of prisoners, hostages, and the “spoils of war”, with free sexual gratification reigning on adults and youngsters alike. Dealing with the Oriental ie: Japanese cultural approach to war and the conqueror, would be difficult for Americans to understand as would the German treatment of the Jews and minorities in Europe. England was in battle with Japan long before the United States entered into the picture. It’d take a catastrophic attack upon the United States to bring about entry into the war. England could say she fought while America slept. The Japanese General Staff would come to understand the words of one of their leaders saying, “I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant.”

Nationalistic Popularism, the fa- right conservative political power, was on the grow and loose in the world, centered in a few ultra-conservative groups and countries, killing, exploiting, and destroying those who might not agree with their view of how the world should be ruled and run. Their treatment, through racism, hedonism, homophobia (although they seemed to be highly involved in homosexual practices), misogyny, and xenophobia, while pretending to be Christian, was horrendous and brutal!

In 1941, the United States wasn’t involved and was removed from the fighting, but not the fight! Lend-Lease was active and, although highly controversial among individuals not of Roosevelt’s party, was sending aid to our European Allies.

A caveat must be offered for this next collection of journals; it would appear, in many cases they were written “after the fact” and contributions made by more than one individual. This must be assumed since some of the details of various war experiences by Gio and early on, by Stephen, couldn’t have been communicated at the time of occurrence given the very nature of their deployments and assignments. Distance and censorship would be the major factors, although both did find methods of some communication.

It would be most appropriate to entitle these next Journals as “The War Years.”

To be continued...

Posted: 04/01/2022