SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Gently flipping through her grandfather’s scrapbook, Vilate Whittle proudly shared the life highlights of George A. Fisher.
The scrapbook, with easily two dozen pages, chronicles the journey of Japanese families seeking refuge in Wasatch County.
“They were originally looking at Duchesne County. But that didn’t work because they couldn’t provide the housing necessary,” Whittle said. “And they were too far away from a place where the produce could be loaded on a train and moved to wherever it needed to go.”
MORE | Belonging In Utah
Fisher kept newspaper clippings, letters, and pictures associated with the Japanese group that settled on his land and transformed it into Keetley Farm.
Whittle learned Fisher went great lengths to ensure he was helping the right group of people.
For Fisher, it was about due diligence, which was spelled out in his scrapbook.
“He wasn’t just going to open up and offer his land until he knew what was happening. So, he met with Japanese officials in California and Mr. Wada. And all it took was a conversation with Fred Wada, and he knew he was fine,” Whittle said.
But fear and prejudice surfaced in different ways.
For instance, residents in nearby communities and counties were concerned about the costs associated with Fred Wada’s group relocating to northern Utah.
“One of the worries you’d hear from counties and cities’Well, we’re going to get stuck with taxpayers paying for these people.’ And the federal government was worried about that,” Whittle said.
She went on to say there were no government entities involved in subsidizing the colony’s move to Wasatch County. Fred Wada took care of any financial needs that came up.
He strategically arranged for the colony to go to Wasatch County in smaller groups to prevent any unnecessary attention.
Everything ultimately worked out, and those in the Japanese colony rebuilt their lives as farmers.
George A. Fisher’s ties to the Japanese colony of Keeley Farm sealed his legacy in Utah’s history.
“I’m so happy that he made it possible for just a small group of people. I wish it could’ve been more to be able to have a different experience, completely, and be treated like human beings,” Whittle said.
_____
AloJapan.com