Walter O'Rourke was one of the guards in the Trotsky compound. His real name was Walter Ketley, and he also went by Walter Rourke. After Trotsky's death, most of the guards returned home. Henry, Walter, Muniz Manuel Grandizo and Otto Schuessler stayed on. Otto and Muniz were the decision makers. Walter and Henry divided up the day to day chores, Walter usually coming out on top. N refers to Natalia Trotsky. S refers to Seva, Trotsky's grandson. Muniz and Henry were lifelong friends who continued to write each other into the 1980s. Henry and Walter did not keep in touch. This event occurs just a month and a half before Henry leaves the compound. This was not a letter, but a record Henry wrote for himself at the time.
Fri Dec. 18, 1942
War with Walter
Yesterday I learned that N and S were going to Cuernavaca with Zamora today. I phoned Esp who said that whereas W and I would have several days free she'd like to visit me sometime when I'd be alone. I asked W when he wanted to be free - refused to say, when I said girl would come - got into argument - his reason for opposing it - "It's against the rules." I insisted no rules covering the case existed and whereas all rules were for defense of N that while N was in Cuernavaca no danger to her existed from Esp. W opposed it violently. I said "I'll speak to N about it, I'm sure she won't object." He yelled, "If you say a word to her I'll denounce you to the party comrades as a scoundrel." I stepped into his room and said, "Take off your glasses." Then, "No, I'll wait till N is gone." He laughed fiendishly and said, "I see it's time we made some changes here and made them soon." To which I replied, "That's fine, you can't make them too soon to suit me."
I tried to point out that Pat, Evelyn, Engels, Loffman and Olga hadn't been members yet came to house. That Muniz vouched for Alfonso Rodriguez but that Rodriguez took responsibility for his wife who was otherwise unknown to us or Muniz. I insisted less danger existed to N from Esp's visit than from W's driving (he's always bumping up the car), that he doesn't obey certain estb rules (always barring door), that he's careless (got car stuck in street in fill in for (sewer?), his drunkenness danger to N's safety, had his gun taken from him etc.). All this occurred before dinner. He went to see Muniz right after dinner. N and the kid left at 8:00. When they were gone the started explaining - "There are 2 ques. I'd like to discuss. I hate these arguments so from now on when something doesn't suit us take the case to another comrade who'll report it back, and on the ques. of your girl friend coming here it's OK by me. Whenever you want her to come I'll leave for 3 or 4 hrs. You can make the arrangements to suit yourself and it'll be all right with me. And if you need money I'll let you have $10.00". I said nothing of his poor cooperation (she surrenders her Tue. dates to let him go to concert).
