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137 Chapter 14 Out on Bail After the trial, with the stalemate over my bail terms, I remained in jail four months into the appeal period. By that time, Judge Black was willing to release me. We’d become sort of like old friends, in terms of his knowledge of me, and he said, “We ought to get him out.” We worked out a compromise that I would go to Spokane , which was outside of the restricted area for Japanese Americans . Judge Black said, “I want you to promise that you will not return to the restricted area for the duration of the appeal.” That sounded acceptable to me, so I went out to Spokane. Nevin Sayre had written offering a job with the Fellowship of Reconciliation and hoped I would accept. I certainly appreciated his kindness , but right now I would prefer work with the American Friends Service Committee for various reasons. The Quakers had contacted the Philadelphia office of the AFSC, which was by that time working on resettlement of camp residents wherever they could, looking for housing and jobs. “Spokane is a part of Eastern Washington, which was not in a Defense Command area. Therefore, let’s post Gordon there. We’ll open up a temporary field station and let him run it and find jobs and housing. He can also do public relations to increase the public’s awareness about those two items.” So that’s what I was released for. By February 11, Floyd Schmoe of the AFSC verified everything concerning my release. All plans being completed, the only question was, Saturday night or Sunday night? Floyd worried about my clothes, 138 Out on Bail overcoat, shirt, shoes, etc. After some consideration, we decided that it would be better to do most of the shopping in Spokane after I got out. The plan for now was that I travel east with the marshal and meet Floyd in Spokane. Then we’ll travel to Heart Mountain camp, and from there to Colorado. This plan is ideal! I have been dreaming about it, never realizing it would be a reality. That is the best thing that could happen to me—the ideal setup for my adjustment to “free world” living again. I must not, in my youthful excitement, forget the kind of world I’m stepping into. I must be prepared to spend much effort in the release of evacuees from camp to outside life. I hope my hand shall be useful. Yesterday, February 12, at 8:30 a.m., I parted with my friends at King County Jail. Harry Ault, Tacoma marshal, drove me to his office in his new Dodge. The scenery was wonderful and refreshing. The radio was simply divine; it was such a change to hear good music. At Tacoma I sat in the front office like an official all day, sending cards to my friends about the good news. My first “free world” meal since October 20 was a hamburger steak, lettuce and tomato salad, mashed potatoes with gravy, custard pie, and good coffee. It was wonderful. I was amused to find myself almost at a loss in manipulating the fork. Then Esther Schmoe and June Mott scooted up. Those two always find me. I don’t believe I can ever get lost as long as those two are on my trail. The marshal and I took the day coach to Seattle and then switched to our Pullman car, which finally pulled out around 9:45 p.m. and arrived in Spokane in the morning. We got one of those end compartments with a double bunk. So I was on the upper bunk, and the marshal took the lower bunk. I wasn’t excited, but I was leaving after nine months. I hadn’t considered it seriously till I was moving out because I’ve sort of settled into thinking that I’m going to sit it out here for the duration. Of course, nobody knew what “duration” meant either. I talked with the marshal most of the trip about all sorts of things, sports to politics for half of the night, and then dozed off. On the morning of February 15, I met Floyd Schmoe. He asked, “How was the train ride?” I said it was fine although a little crowded. I Out on Bail 139 described the setup. He said, “I wish we had known about it. We would have protested. We bought that cabin, the end compartment.” That evening...

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