Kodiak Mirror

Descriptive Letter From Attu Before Invasion
Expresses Concern For Pet

The War Department information published in the Mirror last week that Mr. and Mrs. Charles Foster Jones, the only white inhabitants on Attu, had slashed their wrists with the resulting death of Mr. Jones, and that Mrs. Jones was a prisoner in Japan, was a shock to the many friends of the elderly couple in Kodiak.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones stayed with Mrs. Pete Magnusen, of this city, while awaiting transportation to Attu, and Mrs. Magnusen still has the Jones' dog, Skippy, that they were unable to take to Attu with them.

Before going to Attu the couple taught at Old Harbor on Kodiak island.

They arrived on Attu in September, 1941, and sometime the following summer (exact date of the invasion of Attu by the Japs is not known) the tragedy occurred. Fate of the natives on Attu has never been disclosed.

Mrs. Magnusen has a letter from Mrs. Jones telling of their arrival in Attu, but an answer to it was returned. The $10 mentioned in the letter was contributed in the local Red Cross drive for the Joneses by Mrs. Magnusen.

The letter follows:

Dear Mrs. Magnusen:

We got here in a hurry once we got away from Kodiak. It was a lovely trip to Unalaska, and there we found the Coast Guard Atlanta waiting for us.

They had been waiting 2 weeks, so they hustled us and our stuff on board, and in 2 hours after landing in Unalaska we were off for Attu. Hadn't a chance to do many things we had planned to do. All the freight from Seattle was already on board, including Skippy's food, and there was no chance to sort it out to return on the ship. But tomorrow we are expecting another Coast Guard, the Hermes, and we shall try to send his food on that. There are 3 boxes. We shall have to send them collect on your end, so I am enclosing a check for ten dollars which I hope will cover the freight charges.

Our light plant and big transmitter did not come with us so Foster has not been on the air much. He manages to get through to Dutch Harbor with his little set, but has had trouble getting antenna poles and other supplies.

When he is fixed up you will probably hear him. He talks with the Dutch Harbor army station at 8:30 Dutch Harbor time. That will be 9:30 your time.

We like it here. The people are fine, and the scenery beautiful. The house is big and comfortable, running water with bathroom complete, an oil range like yours, oil heater, and many other comforts. There are only 45 people in the village and they do not drink. Can you believe it? The trader will not sell it to them.

I have thought so much of Skippy. It was well we did not bring him. The Atlanta would not have taken him.

I hope you have a pleasant winter. We look back with pleasure to our lovely visit with you, and will never forget how kind you were to take us in.

Sincerely,

Etta E. Jones