<Begin Segment 19>

DG: So, how did the Bainbridge community treat you before and after the war? You said that there were a lot of people who helped you and a lot of people who were against you. Can you think of more specific things on how people helped you after the war or how people did not?

AS: Well, there wasn't too many helpful, but some of 'em were on our side, I know that. But some of 'em were against us, too. Remember when they first let us free and come over here? There were some that didn't want us on the island. Did you know that? Huh? Or did you hear about it?

DG: I've heard. What, what did they do?

AS: Yeah, they didn't want us to come back on Bainbridge Island. And if it hadn't been for Walt Woodward, I don't think we'd be here. That's what I have a hunch, but I'm not... I can't say for sure. I mean, Walt Woodward helped us out a lot. I mean, he was, he was a man that fought it all the way. Ever since, the time, the day we left here until we got back. He was a, he was somethin' else. Then there's a few, there's a few families there that way, too. That really, you know, were on our side. But they always got talked, talked out of it at the end, remember? So, I don't know. [Laughs]

DG: Can you tell me a specific of what a family might have tried to do for you?

AS: The what?

DG: Tell me how a family might have tried to help you and then how were they talked down?

AS: Oh, I, they talked good about us. I mean, they didn't talk bad about us. They always talked good about us. What happened, and they felt sorry that... you could tell some families are two-faced and some of them were real honestly, backed up, you know. I was kinda surprised myself, but I thought I had a friend, too, in high school, but I found out later he was, he was against us. So, I did, I don't say nothin', I still say hello and everything. But, I find out what's really going inside, then it's a different story, again. Just like you, if they did, you know, if they did it to you, you would be upset, too. That's enough.

<End Segment 19> - Copyright © 2006 Densho. All Rights Reserved.