Anne Casey’s Search for a Story

American Woman

This flow traces Anne Casey’s investigation of Pauline’s disappearance and the quieter history she discovers around Jenny and Jim Shimada.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Books and Estates Books and Estates from "American Woman". Books and Estates A Reporter’s Preparation Anne Casey studies books and records about Pauline’s family estates while preparing to report on Pauline’s story.

Books and Estates from "American Woman". Books and Estates A Reporter’s Preparation Anne Casey studies books and records about Pauline’s family estates while preparing to report on Pauline’s story.

Books and Estates A Reporter’s Preparation Anne Casey studies books and records about Pauline’s family estates while preparing to report on Pauline’s story. The grandeur of the properties draws her in, but she begins to see that the story cannot be reduced to wealth and architecture. A Missing Center Pauline remains difficult to know despite the abundance of images and public information.

The Man Called Joe Smith The Man Called Joe Smith from "American Woman". The Man Called Joe Smith A Potential Source A man calling himself Joe Smith tells Anne Casey that the Federal Bureau of Investigation knows Pauline is with…

The Man Called Joe Smith from "American Woman". The Man Called Joe Smith A Potential Source A man calling himself Joe Smith tells Anne Casey that the Federal Bureau of Investigation knows Pauline is with…

The Man Called Joe Smith A Potential Source A man calling himself Joe Smith tells Anne Casey that the Federal Bureau of Investigation knows Pauline is with Jenny. He offers a dramatic claim but little that Anne can independently substantiate. A Name in a Notebook Anne records Jenny’s surname but does not publish the allegation without confirmation.

Following the Route Following the Route from "American Woman". Following the Route A Journey West Anne Casey travels across the country, tracing the route Jenny and Pauline took while fugitives.

Following the Route from "American Woman". Following the Route A Journey West Anne Casey travels across the country, tracing the route Jenny and Pauline took while fugitives.

Following the Route A Journey West Anne Casey travels across the country, tracing the route Jenny and Pauline took while fugitives. The trip yields little evidence about Jenny, even as it makes the year’s geography vivid to Anne. The Missing Narrative She realizes that Jenny may remain outside the account the public wants to hear.

The Report on Jim The Report on Jim from "American Woman". The Report on Jim A Father’s Record Anne finds detailed records of Jim Shimada’s incarceration, draft resistance, and long estrangement from Jenny.

The Report on Jim from "American Woman". The Report on Jim A Father’s Record Anne finds detailed records of Jim Shimada’s incarceration, draft resistance, and long estrangement from Jenny.

The Report on Jim A Father’s Record Anne finds detailed records of Jim Shimada’s incarceration, draft resistance, and long estrangement from Jenny. The history connects Jenny’s fugitive life to a much older family experience of state power and racial exclusion. A Wider Story Anne sees that the personal history surrounding Pauline cannot be separated from the past it inherits.

The Reporter at the Greenhouse

The Reporter at the Greenhouse A Small Disclosure Anne visits Jim Shimada with a bird and tells him that someone once tried to help Jenny’s story reach publication. She gives him the Wildmoor newsletter, a modest record that reveals Jenny’s life beyond headlines. A Human Encounter Their conversation shifts from reporting to an unexpected exchange about memory, family, and ordinary care.

Before Anne Casey travels west

The summer before Anne travels to California

After the arrests

After Anne reaches Stockton

After Pauline’s arrest