Kinuko Higo
_______
Seattle, Wa. 98108

Age 50 yrs.

Some of the things I can remember for some one age 10 - 13.

1. Elementary principal, Ada J. Mahon on the other side of the barbed wire fence at the Puyallup Assembly Center. with tears streaming down her face talking to her Japanese-American secretary who work at the school. Ada J. Mahon was the principal of Bailey Gatzert school.

2. Christmas - Each child under a certain age (I think it was 14) I received a gift wrapped package. They were indeed bleack Christmas. Example - soap, sewing kit with needle and thread, kitchen towels. How would you like to be young and receive just a gift? A christmas present?

3. School - Mess hall table. At first no books, no paper, no blackboard. Teacher had large sheets of paper pinned on the wall to use as blackboard. Ironically, its the school that taught me the Gettsburg Address.

4. Outhouses. When we first arrived at the Minidoka camp we did not have regular plumbing. The outhouses were located at each end of each block. The outhouses were made of boards raised on a platform which to my eyes had huge holes cut out about 12 inches apart. I can remember having to jump up on these huge holes. In the dark this is a mighty scary experience for a 10 year old child.

These are some of the experiences I remember. Perhaps someone more learned than I can express it better and present my feelings to this commission. I do thank you for trying.

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