[Letter to Clara Breed from Fusa Tsumagari, Poston, Arizona, November 23, 1942]

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[Letter to Clara Breed from Fusa Tsumagari, Poston, Arizona, November 23, 1942]

Maker Tsumagari, Fusa

Date1942

Mediumpaper, ink

DimensionsH: 10.5 in, W: 8 in (sheet) H: 3.5 in, W: 5.5 in (envelope)

ClassificationsArchives

Credit LineGift of Elizabeth Y. Yamada

Object number93.75.31IH

DescriptionTranscription: 323-11-D/Poston, Arizona/November 23, 1942/Dear Miss Breed,/Gee, I really don't know how to start this letter as I have no good excuse for not having written to you sooner. My conscience has been bothering me in this regard so if I don't write and get this letter out soon I'll be having nightmares./I would like to thank you for sending me the cross-word puzzles and also for the dictionary. You really have me in a spot cause I want to let you know that really appreciate them but yet I haven't any really good excuse for not having written sooner./I guess you have been hearing over the radio about the riot in Camp 1. The version I heard over the radio was quite unlike anything that I have heard in camp. The radio news stated that Mr. Wade Head, head of these camps stated that "'pro-Axis' elements, a small but well organized group, incited the people to go on strike" or something similar to that. Gee, I was amazed at this report as it was the first of this sort that I had heard. All I know is hearsay, but it comes from reliable sorces so I'll tell you our version. The first outbreak occurred about two weeks ago on a Saturday night. A band of people were so sick and tired of "Stool-pigeons" going around and listening to private conversations and getting people into trouble that they went to the homes of the "Stools" and brutally attacked them. Then, two men were picked up on charges of "Attacking with Intent to Murder." 2 They were going to be taken to Phoenix by the FBI for a hearing. The people in Camp 1 heard this and balked. They did not want these men to be taken to Phoenix and tried for two reasons: first, they did not believe these men were guilty of the charges against them; second, if taken to Phoenix they probably would not get a fair trial. The people built large bon fires near the police station and parked all night to be on guard so that the men would not be taken out when everyone was asleep. To date one man has been "unconditionally released." The other has not been released yet. A proposition has been set up to the people in which this man may be given a trial here, but the people still want him unconditionally released, too. The terrible part of having a trial here is that anyone who goes up on the stand against this man is in for a tough time, and yet the people are unwilling to let this man go to Phoenix cause they think that the jury would be biased before the trial. That is all I know about it. So far the suspense is getting me. Some people wanted us to have a sympathy strike but most people see that it would only hinder us, so they have given it up. You know, the people who spy on their own people may profit momentarily, (is there such a word?) but in the long run they are asking for trouble and they know it before they start. Gee, but when situations like this arise we know that they asked for it, yet when crowds get violently mad it really is terrible. I hate to think about such terrible things going on in these camps but outbreaks like this are bound to happen. One thing which does not show but is an emense thing, is the fact that the people have given out some of their pent emotions and feel much more relieved after such outbreaks./I really don't know what my philosophy is, but I'm trying awfully hard to keep it balanced in these times. Gee, one day I think one way, then the next some other way, but I try to keep my balance. /The weather has cooled down quite a bit and is rather pleasant except for occasional dust storms. We seem to be getting used to it, but still mumble./The latest rage here is artificial flower making. Most of the flowers are made out of crepe paper or orange and apple paper. My mother has made some crysanthemums, gardinias, iris, sweetpeas, cherry blossoms, lilacs, and carnations. I have made some carnations, but find the work too tedious. I guess I'm lazy but I would prefer to make other things./You know, I have actually started making model airplanes. I have finished one, which my brother tried to fly and crashed before I got home. Then I helped my brother make one, and now I am going to make another one by myself. The only thing I do not like is the odor of the glue, which gives me a headache after a short while./What have you been doing lately. You must busy now with all the little children in school./Please tell Miss McNary hello for me and that I am gratefully using her shorthand book, as it is the textbook in our night shorthand class. We have it every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights, and it really keeps us busy with homework./I hope that you are in the best of health./Yours very sincerely,/Fusa Tsumagari;1 letter and envelope from Fusa Tsumagari to Clara Breed.