Through this fall and winter, the Museum is proud to exhibit Topaz Stories: Remembering the Japanese American Incarceration in tandem with A Moab Prison Camp, lending a state-wide perspective to this dark period of American history during WWII. The Friends of Topaz collected numerous oral histories and personal reminiscences from survivors and descendants; however, not all are currently featured in the Moab Museum space. In this week’s column, we shine the spotlight on a story you won’t find displayed: “Brownie,” contributed by Roy Iwata.
“In Sacramento before the War, we had a mongrel dog named Brownie, who was about six years old. He used to chase after the Sacramento Bee news carrier who was riding his bicycle and grab the paper with his mouth. Then he would take it to my father. I used to tease Brownie by letting him chase me, and then I would jump up and grab some parallel bars and dangle, just out of reach of his snapping jaws.
In May 1942, ‘all persons of Japanese ancestry’ had to report to the Memorial Auditorium at 16th and J Streets for removal to ‘assembly centers.’ My parents had to hurriedly sell items from the store and garage.
We were to bring only what we could carry. My mother packed clothing, metal cups and plates.
We had to put Brownie in a wooden crate and ship him to a friend of my uncle in Fresno. I cried as I watched the truck take him away.”
Topaz Stories and A Moab Prison Camp are on display at the Museum through December 22, 2024. Stop by Tuesday-Saturday to engage in this history, learn about more acts of resilience amidst intense adversity, and hear from the survivors and descendants in their own words, from Delta to Moab.
The Moab Museum is dedicated to sharing stories of the natural and human history of the Moab area. To explore more of Moab’s stories and artifacts, find out about upcoming programs, and become a Member, visit www.moabmuseum.org.
