(Birth, death, dust, and snow)
(Excerpts from the Daily Log of the WAR RELOCATION AUTHORITY Central Utah Relocation Project, Project Reports Division, Historical Section. Topaz, Utah)
NOVEMBER 2 (1942)
EMERGENCY SHIPMENTS — The fourth movement to obtain emergency coal shipments was composed of 19 trucks and 38 drivers. The destination was 150 miles away, Castle Dale.
POSTPONEMENT — The sewing school postponed its classes for lack of stoves in the classrooms. 391 persons are enrolled in the sewing class and 100 in the needlecraft classes.
NOVEMBER 3
DUST STORM — One of the worst dust storms enveloped the entire area today. Through the closed windows, fine particles of dust seeped into the offices and apartments alike. Autos drove through the storm with their headlights on.
ARCHITECT-FARMER — Nine landscape architects left their drafting tables to contribute their labor to relieve an acute farm labor shortage in the Delta sugar beet fields.
FIRST ENGAGEMENT — Topaz’ first engagement was announced by the parents of Masako Shiraishi, 20, 33-6-D, to Takatoshi Yamamoto, 25. The engaged couple is from San Francisco.
BIRTH — To Mrs. Yoshiye Tsuyuki, 3-4-B, Nov. 3, 7:15 p.m a boy.
NOVEMBER 5
TSUNO HONORED — An impressive memorial service was held for the late Pfc. Isao Tsuno who passed away at the Army hospital. A half-hour ceremony of mass, eulogies, valediction, and lowering of colors took place at the high school grounds. Nisei soldiers on furlough were present at the service. There were nine of the latter.
NOVEMBER 7
DEDICATION — The fire station was dedicated today at 2 p.m.The ceremony took place in front of the fire house. A fitting program rounded out the dedication. The dedication climaxed Fire Prevention Week.
DEATH — Mrs. G. Tawara was called to Heart Mountain, Wyoming, due to the death of her father, S. Hashimoto, 83.
KIBEI MEET — Kibei residents met at 7 p.m. to form a sound and united organization. The purpose of the organization was to offer programs of socials, entertainments, employment and athletic assistance.
Did you know Minoru Yonekura? The granddaughter of Min’s childhood friend, Bill Ralph, is trying to find Min’s descendants to reconnect. Min was born in 1910 and worked as a small appliance repairman before the War in Hayward or Castro Valley. His father may have had a nursery. Min was incarcerated in Tanforan, Barrack 89-1, and then Topaz. If you knew him or his family, please get in touch! You can email us at topazstories@gmail.com or Contact Us.
Previous “Daily Log” entries:
October 28-29: First snow
October 25-27: Coal crisis
October 16-18: Hospital dedication
October 14-15: First Nisei soldier visits
October 12-13: “Jankee”
October 7-9: Fresnans, Santa Anitans arrive
October 3-5: Tar
September 29-October 1: Community Council
September 27-28: Dust, new arrivals
September 23-26: Outside workers, lost and found
September 22: First baby
September 18-21: First frost
September 17: First group arrives
September 15: Topaz Times launched
September 11: Welcome to Topaz
The Topaz Stories Team
Plan to visit the Topaz Stories Exhibit in Salt Lake City before it closes on December 31, 2022.
Contact us if you have a Topaz Story to share.
Follow us on Instagram @topazstories
Media Coverage:
Watch Topaz survivors tell their stories (abc4 news, 4/22/2022)
Listen to the “In the Hive” podcast with interviews with Ann Dion, Jonathan Hirabayashi, and Topaz survivors Jeanie Kashima and Joseph Nishimura (KCPW, 4/28/2022)
Read How a Utah exhibit about Topaz Camp looks to find empathy in ‘an ugly stain on American history (ksl.com, 4/22/2022)
Read “Topaz Stories rise from the dust,” (Department of Culture & Community Engagement, 4/2022)
Listen to KQED Forum, Day of Remembrance interview with Ruth Sasaki, 2/15/2022
Listen to Max Chang and Ruth Sasaki interviewed (KRCL RadioActive, 2/9/2022
Read On Topaz Stories and ‘Authentic Voice’, the Discover Nikkei interview with Ruth Sasaki (10/14/2022)
Listen to Remembering the Japanese American Incarceration, the Topaz Stories podcast with Ruth Sasaki and Jonathan Hirabayashi (6/2/2021)