denshopd-i153-00080

14-12-4
Manzanar, Calif.

Sept. 12, 1943

Dear Joe,

Ive been trying to get this letter off for about the last two weeks but everytime I start, something else turns up. The camp is all hepped up because of the segregation, and after the Tulelake people leave, I think this place is going to be a ghost town. There are approximately 2400 people leaving which only leaves about 5000 left. I have finished summer school and thus finishing up my high school career. I have made a decision the last two weeks which I have thinking about for the last two weeks. I have made up my mind to come out to Chicago and work the spring semester from whence I will continue my education. You see, one of the main purposes of the segregation is to draft the loyal people. So I figure that I had better take a gamble and to get as much education as possible till I get drafted. Its positive I will get drafted and mama agrees with me that I should get out. I guess its pretty tough living in wartime out there, but I am willing to take that chance. Do you think I should get a job arranged here in camp or do you think I should come out and hunt for a job? Maybe you could find me a fair job. I am thinking about comming out around October 11th and as soon as you give the okay signal, I'm all set to come out. Let me know right away and give me your view of the whole idea.

Just in case you are interested in the tennis finals, Roy Takenaka defeated James Ito in the "A" singles 6-4, 6-3, 6-1, for top honors and becomes "Manzanar Champ". George Ichien and Hankawa were semi-finalists. In the doubles, Watanabe-Ito defeated Hankawa-Takenaka. Jimmy told me its the first doubles cup he ever won. He has however, won numerous singles cups. Roy Takenaka is Hiroko's brother in law and he's really good. Incidently the camp seems to have gone tennis nuts in the last two monts and the courts are always full.

In soft ball, the manzaknights emerged "Manzanar Champs" and got a super cup. They are going to start a hardball league pretty soon and the diamond is located between Blk. 25 and Blk. 19. It ought to be pretty interesting because there are really some good hardball players here.

We received your swell surprise and that gum was really a sight for sore eyes. The gum seemed to be of a new brand but it was good. I was thinking about you when I chewed that first stick so don't get me wrong in thinking that I was thinking of the gum alone.

Well Joe, this is sunday morning and I really have to run along to church. Let me hear from you right away and let me know if there is a place for me.

Sincerely,

Towru Nagano.