[Letter to Clara Breed from Fusa Tsumagari, Poston, Arizona, April 5, 1944]

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[Letter to Clara Breed from Fusa Tsumagari, Poston, Arizona, April 5, 1944]

Maker Tsumagari, Fusa

Date1944

Mediumpaper, ink

DimensionsH: 11 in, W: 8.5 in (sheet); H: 3.5 in, 5.5 in (envelope)

ClassificationsArchives

Credit LineGift of Elizabeth Y. Yamada

Object number93.75.31IN

DescriptionTranscription:
April 5, 1944/Dear Miss Breed,/This will probably be my last letter written to you from the fair city of Poston, Arizona. When I think of the good times (and some miserable times) I've spent in Poston I feel sort of sad, yet glad to be on my way. My mother is going to join my father in Crystal City, Texas, an internment camp. I am going with my mother to Crystal City, but will go as a visitor (for about two weeks) then go to Minneapolis to join my sister. According to the latest information, we will leave on or about the 12th. Incidentally we were notified very early, so have been packed for over a week. The house looks very bare except for one corner, which has piles of crated boxes. No one seems to know how we've accumulated so much junk in two years! The last group that left for Crystal City had from 3 days to 24 hour notice so everyone thought we would leave in that short of a time, but no luck! I was fortunate, however, in being able to get part of my transportation paid g.i. plus cash grant. Under ordinary circumstances we are allowed $25 cash grant, $3 a day for meals and a ticket to our destination by the most direct route--this is for an indefinite leave. In my case, I would not be able to get my transportation paid as I would not be on the most direct route except for a few miles, so arrangements were made so that the govt would issue my ticket from Crystal City to Minneapolis. I was very lucky to even get this as other people have tried to get their tickets made like mine, but have not succeeded./My mother will probably be happy and greatly relieved to be with father. I'm quite anxious to see him, too, as it is now almost 2 1/2 years since we last saw him. I imagine that he hasn't changed very much in the two years, but I think he'll probably be surprised at how grown up I've become (or have I?)/Crystal City, according to various letters we received, is a very wonderful place. It is quite an improvement over Poston. The buildings are white (not this black tar paper), each family cooks for themself, have a shower in each barrack to be shared by the families occupying the barrack, well furnished, and nice canteen. So much is allowed per person per day for food and this amount is given them in certain coins only good at the local store, and they tell us food is ample. I shall tell you about my experience there after I have left, as we are limited to send out only 2 censored letters a week.--Must admit Crystal City does have its bad point, too!/Poston has become very hot in the last week. We are really feeling first touch of summer. All the little leaves are getting big and green. The mesquites in the background are showing off their first bright kelly green leaves--only then do we realize that spring is here. We think that spring doesn't come to Poston--just summer!/There is only one thing I regret--that is your being unable to visit Poston while I was here. I would have been glad to show you around, but now I'll have to leave it to Margaret and some of the other girls and boys. /My new address will be--2625 Stevens Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota. If there is anyone you know I would be glad to see them for you. /Oh yes, Chiyo Kusumoto left for Chicago last March 1 and seems to like it. /This will be all for now and thanks a million for everything you've done for us in S.D., S.A., and P, A./Sincerely,/Fusa;1 letter and envelope from Fusa Tsumagari to Clara Breed.