I found the other reference: it's from end of Longshot Pomes: "The closest I ever got to being a reporter was as an errand boy in the composing room of the New Orleans Item. Used to have nickel beers in a place out back and the nights passed quickly." In the 1982 letter he writes: "I finally got a job as an errand boy on the N.O. Item. For less pay than a roach. And I got canned because I was always in the bar in the alley out back where I was in love with a barmaid 25 years old than I." So he confirms the Item, the bar in back, and typically now expands the story with the love affair information. But I think this pretty well confirms that he had the job. When is the question. 1942? First trip to NO or second during the early Forties?
By the way, this reminds me of another question: How many times did B go to NO in the Sixties? He for sure went when he worked on Crucifix in a Deathhand, but was there a second trip? I keep finding contradictory information about this.
By the way, this reminds me of another question: How many times did B go to NO in the Sixties? He for sure went when he worked on Crucifix in a Deathhand, but was there a second trip? I keep finding contradictory information about this.