A Gold Hill Pioneer Family Member Speaks
about The Far Side of the Moon

Ada Veerkamp Rose is the granddaughter of "Mr. Veerkamp." He was of course a real person, helpful neighbor of the Wakamatsu Colony during the years when the colony tried to make a go of their farm. Mrs. Rose is a long-time resident of Placerville, California. She taught school there for many years. Some of her comments about The Far Side of the Moon follow.

Placerville, California
October 2003

Dear Jonathan Pearce,
   Since my earliest childhood--which is now 90+ years-- we Veerkamp children learned from our father, a then-sketchy story of the failed Japanese Tea Colony. It was always related in a manner of reverence and respect, so we rather instinctively felt there was somehow sadness about the story.
   As years passed, we became aware of, and impressed with, the great significance of that fateful historic event that has been the very embryo that has today brought our two great countries through war and peace and into a valuable relationship, economically, culturally, and educationally.
   Now you have, in a touching, easy-to-read novel, woven color, beauty, and drama into this historic episode, which tells how a very young Japanese maiden handled sadness and adversity here in California.
    Thank you for your great effort, study, and research of the Japanese and Native American culture and customs to so beautifully knit together such an appealing story of fact and fantasy.
   Thank you for the portrayal of the character "Mr. Veerkamp," my grandfather, as the candid, honest, straight-forward person we know he truly was. Those same qualities were continued in the character of my revered father and our four brothers.
   I must mention also that in much later years, when a Japanese farm family in the Gold Hill area lost a very small child, they in great grief came to our father for permission to bury the child in the plot with Okei--hence the two graves atop the hill.
   When the Wakamatsu colony disbanded and Matsu and Okei remained in the employment of the Veerkamp family, a beautiful Japanese sword and large embroidered white silk banner fell into possession of our grandfather.
   Our father treasured and protected them with honor and reverence. For years they were locked in a huge, heavy, antique chest and shown on rare occasions.
   Their final care and disposition in recent years fell to us remaining sisters.
   Just two years ago we arranged a gift deed of those artifacts to the Gold Discovery State Park at Coloma.
   In time, when proper safety is provided, they will be on display there. At present they are being housed in Sacramento in the State Archives.

Ada V. Rose