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Manzanar Journal - Aubrey Hemming
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Many thanks
to Aubrey Hemming (Clarkston, WA.) for sending me the pictures
and text for this page. |
My father,
Mr. Allington Gordon Hemming was born on July 11, 1889 in Little
Rock, Arkansas. In the early 1900's, probably about
1910, he worked in Los Angeles for a music company. Some time
along here he joined the Elks, Scottish Rite and the Mason's.
He was a life-long member in all of these organizations. He went
further in the Mason's where later he became a 32nd degree Mason.
He was a member in the Long Beach chapter. During the time he
was a member he made many friends. Prior to 1931, a Mr. Cotton,
who was a "higher up" in the Carson part of the Carson
and Dominguez estate, asked my father if he would be interested
in being the supervisor of the Carson estate. Well needless to
say it was a yes! As it worked out, Dad made a success of his
job. I don't know what prior experience he might have had in
this line, but he did an excellent job anyway. We raised lots
of alfalfa for the dairies that were in and around Norwalk, CA
at that time. We also raised sugar beets and walnuts for the
Los Angeles Nut House Company. I don't think it's any longer
in business.
My father also was to help the families as needed and collect
the rent from the Japanese American farmers on Dominguez Hills.
Some of the farmers rented and some, a very few, owned their
own property. Most if not all of these Japanese farmers not only
liked and trusted my father, but they also respected him. I can
remember many wonderful Christmas and New Year's dinners we had
at their homes and also when they were invited to our home.
When the attack on Pearl Harbor came along and the Japanese were
forced to go to the relocation camps, the farmers got together
and asked Dad if he would look after their belongings and equipment
until they returned, and if needed, sell them if they needed
the money. He did this for them and at times, when asked, he
also took them articles as they were needed. My father passed
away February 10, 1951 while I was training at the San Diego
Naval Hospital Corps School during the Korean War.
Aubrey Hemming (October 2005)
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The Kurashige Family
who farmed the Carson & Dominguez Estate. |
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Mr. Smart of the McKinily
Grammar School and some students. Aubrey's Dad, A.L. Hemming,
is standing at he back of the truck with his ever present hat
on. This group of Japanese Americans was being sent to the Gila
River Relocation Camp in Arizona.
(May 7, 1942) |
Letters
to Al Hemming from Japanese Americans at Manzanar
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Owens Valley
Reception Center
Manzanar, Calif.
April 5, 1942 |
Mr. A.G. Hemming
Compton, Calif.
Dear Mr. Hemming,
How are you? We are all fine and healthy except some time the
food is bad.
We all like to thank you for the help you did to us. Mr. Hemming
how are the Dominguez & Hill getting along after we left?
It is very dusty and windy out here. Without the dust and wind
it is a fine place for living.
We are all crowed together in one room which is 20 feet by 25
feet. The whole camp is one mile long at the present time.
I have to report to office every morning and noon for working
which I lived on other end of camp, and its about one mile to
office.
We are the only one from the Dominguez Hill at the present time.
I wished some of our neighbor would show up.
I hope you are taking care of celery. How is the price? I like
to know everything is all right.
Yours truly,
Bob Sugasawara
Postmarked: April 11, 1942 |
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OVR Center
Manzanar, Calif.
April 22, 1942 |
Mr. A.G. Hemming
P.O. Box 171
Compton, Calif.
Dear Mr. Hemming,
Thanks for the letter which I have received April 20, 1942.
I have heard from my brother speed that he gave you the money
for Edison closing bill. I have received two trunks from my brother.
I guess the celery price must be cheap at that time, and Inatomi
boys have written to me that they worked for you at forty cents
an hour. By the way, whom did you sell the celery?
My Father, Mother and rest of my brother is all fine. We boys
are all working, collecting stumps, rubbish, many other works.
Although we are loafing most of the time, it certainly is a easy
work compared from home.
On April 19, 1942 the Owens Valley Reception Center had a first
wedding. For few days the weather was fine, but again it is dusty.
Thee isn't anything much to say so I am closing my letter. By
the way, I certainly appreciate what you have done for us and
my family's regards.
Yours truly,
Bob Sugasawara
Postmarked: April 23, 1942 |
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35-8-1
Manzanar, Calif.
August 20, 1942 |
Mr. A.G. Hemming
P.O. Box 171
Compton, Calif.
Dear Mr. Hemming,
How are you? I hope everybody is fine and healthy. I imagine
Dominguez Hill is rather deserted after all the Japanese family
have left.
Is there any other radish people farming yet at Hill?
Manzanar was really a terrible place to live, but after living
here for year and a half, we rather got used to weather and dust
storm, although its still hot during mid day. Temperature is
100 - 120 degrees.
I could picture you, you're getting old. So am I and my wife,
and she is very weak and her eyes are bad and her teeth which
she have to have fix.
Staying in camp like this and spend money without hardly any
income. I'm short of money so can you please send the money which
you have sold our celery when we have evacued. My wife got to
fix her health. Incidentally, can you sale the spray machine
and hoses and have the money send to me. If you sale these things
please send the bill of sale with the money.
By the way we only received two trunks and haven't received the
box, so please forward the box. I believe its in north-end corner
of your shed where the spray hose and canvas is left.
Yours truly,
Bob Sugasawara
P.S. - Please take care, and my best regard to rest.
Postmarked: April 30, 1942 |
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August
30, 1943
35-8-1
Manzanar, Calif. |
Mr. A.G. Hemming
P.O. Box 171
Compton, Calif.
Dear Mr. Hemming,
Thanks for the letter which I have received few day ago.
I'm very sorry to hear that you have been sick for two month.
As I heard from you there must be quite few new farmer in Hill.
Regard to the box will you please send it in express. If you
can, sale the sprayer, two high pressure spray hose, canvas and
the planter for $100.00. Incidentally if it is rather difficult
to sale for $100.00, sale it at less than $100.00, and please
sale this things.
About my boys, couple of them is out side in Eastern States,
and rest is here in Manzanar.
Soon as you sale this things will you lease send the bill of
sale and send the money in money order. Thank you.
Please take care of yourself and my best regard to rest. I'll
be writing. Goodbye.
Sincerely yours,
Bob Sugasawara
35-8-1
Manzanar, Calif.
Postmarked: August 30, 1943 |
Calligraphy
on background poster: "Saving is like roots. Peace is like
flowers." 1930-1945? |
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WW2 War Relocation Authority Center History |
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Manzanar
High School Portraits & History |
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Manzanar - American Memory Project |
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Hiroshi Honda - Manzanar Journal - Ben Baker (Another side of Manzanar) |
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Manzanar
Free Press |
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Manzanar
Town, Owens Valley |
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Owens
Valley Aqueduct Portraits & History |
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 This page was last updated on
15 February 2022 |