Letter to Helen McNary from Fusa Tsumagari, Arcadia, California, August 9, 1942

Letter to Helen McNary from Fusa Tsumagari, Arcadia, California, August 9, 1942

California
Japanese Internment Camps
Letter
Riots

The letter is written from within Santa Anita Assembly Center, the letter first thanks McNary for sending her candy and a book for her to use in the camp. But then speaks of a riot that stemmed from the army from outside San Francisco ordered the barracks searched for contraband with no prior warning. Sections of the camp were sealed off knitting needles and scissors were confiscated. The event that sparked the mob was when the searchers then began to steal people’s money and objects from peoples living quarters, a Korean was leading men in the raid and was eventually beaten by rioters. Notes army took control of the camp for 3 days before moving out. Parting comment that the newspapers did not portray the events as she saw it and she’s glad the event is over.

Fusa Tsumagari, Santa Anita Assembly Center, California

Letter to Helen McNary from Fusa Tsumagari Arcadia California August 9 1942, In the Clara Breed Collection located at Japanese American National Museum

http://www.janm.org/collections/item/93.75.31AI/

9 August 1942

Michael Wilsher

Clara Breed Collection, located at Japanese American National Museum, online link; http://www.janm.org/collections/item/93.75.31AI/

English

Textual - handwritten letter

20th century California