Recently the Tribune has favored us with considerable coverage of the Wilson & Co. strike of the 1950s. Interesting review of some fairly bad memories for lots of folks. One of the little items that was not covered was the use of county elected officials to replace the services of the National Guard.

If my memory serves me correctly, I believe the state officials ruled that the Guard could well be replaced by law enforcement officials from throughout the county. The guard was recalled and every elected official for any office in the county having to do with law enforcement was notified that they would serve on the picket lines at Wilson & Co. I was the justice of the peace in Clarks Grove at the time and was duly notified of my duty time.

On the first day of my “service” I appeared at the Garfield Avenue gate at 5 a.m. and was issued a billy club and a helmet. Oh my! My question was: “What do I do now?” Well, it was cold, and I was not happy, of course, wondering what in the world I was doing there. As I recall, I stood there until daybreak and left. I then decided that this was not something I would repeat, and I did not return for further duty. I doubt I was needed. I never heard from them again.

Warren Jensen

Albert Lea