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DG: And so do you remember what the mood was like on Bainbridge Island?

FH: Pardon?

DG: What was the mood like on Bainbridge Island with your family and friends? How was everyone feeling after the war started?

FH: Well, we were worried, and my neighbors, they said, "Oh, no, don't worry, you're a citizen." They mean just Japan-born. But my husband was busy going to meeting all the time, and every time something new, and it ended up that we all have to evacuate, citizen or not. So they only gave us about one-week notice, and we could just take what you can carry. And I had two children, two-and-a-half and thirteen-months-old daughter, and another one on the way. And I was concerned with children more than ourselves. We didn't how long or where we were going. We understood we were going to California. It was my first... I was raised on the Island. It was the first time I go out of the state, and first train ride. But we were worried about children, they were all wearing diapers. Not like before, like before, we didn't have no disposable. I was worried about everything, what they were going to have and drink. I was more concerned about children than myself. We could only carry what we could carry, and my suitcase was full of diapers and children's clothes. We just wore the best clothes we have, although we know that California is hot, and have to get ready. I think took our washing machine and fridge to, to Japanese Hall and stored it there. But later we have to, they said they have to empty the Japanese Hall, so I don't know, we had washing machine sent to the camp, but not until we went to Idaho.

First it was Manzanar, that was in California. And we went on, we left the Eagle Harbor, special boat, it was an old -- to Seattle. And then we had a special, old, old train that was full of soot. And by the time we went to California, it was so hot. We were, it was in April 1st, when we landed in California. It was hot, and the barracks were not ready, they were still hammering. My daughter was walking from one furniture to another at home, and a rug floor, it was all just wood floor with... we were, she was scared, she wouldn't walk. We had to carry her all the time, and just as well. My husband said she'll get a sliver unless she has socks on, and too hot to wear socks. Everything was different. No water, running water at home, just one electric light bulb. We had two cots, and they had a straw mattress, and they gave us one blanket each, I think. I had a cousin in L.A., so later I asked her to buy some clothes and, baby clothes and maternity dress, and she sent me from L.A. But no running water. With children, my husband did the washing for me. Had plenty of baby-sitters.

<End Segment 2> - Copyright © 2006 Densho. All Rights Reserved.