Richard Louis "Buddy" Olsen, Jr. was born on November 11, 1925 and was raised on the Atlantic coast on Sapelo Island, Georgia. Part of a maritime family he joined the merchant marine upon graduating high school and served on Liberty ships in the South Pacific. He described the extensive training received including nine months on merchant vessels in the South Pacific. He received a commission to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and was there when the Japanese surrendered in August 1945. He served for the next nine years transporting goods to war-damaged countries in Europe and Asia as part of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Agency under the Marshall Plan and bringing back passengers, including war brides and displaced persons. In 1955, he joined the U.S. Navy and served for 21 years in transport and supply service. Serving both at sea and ashore from a variety of stations, Olsen was part of the Commander of Naval Forces in Vietnam staff for one year in Saigon where he worked with the South Vietnamese in preparing them to take over the naval bases there. He died in St. Cloud, Minnesota, on February 28, 2013.
Sister Rose Tillemans (left), founder of Peace House (a drop-in community for street people); joins Peace House guests to provide entertainment at a party.
In an oral interview conducted by Mike McDonald on September 6, 1993, Robert "Bob" Duoos discussed his training and service during World War II as a member of the 80th Infantry Division in Europe. Duoos was born on January 15, 1923 and was raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. Duoos was drafted in to the U.S. Army in December of 1942. In this interview, Duoos described his experiences in the European Theater, including his interactions with the foreign civilians and the time he spent in England, France, Germany, Luxemburg, and Czechoslovakia. In this interview, Duoos discussed his participation in the liberation of the Buchenwald concentration camp near Weimar, Germany. He described the horrors of "The Beast of Buchenwald" from his own experiences and recounts the stories he heard from survivors of the camp. Duoos voiced his opinions on the leadership of General Patton and General Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Pacific Theater of World War II.
Lee Trunnell was born on July 10, 1922, and grew up in Monticello, Minnesota. He was 19 when America entered the war and served as an aircraft mechanic in the Pacific theater. Trunnell discussed his experience as a member of the Army Air Corps as an aircraft mechanic. In his interview, Tunnell described his training and preparation for his duties as a soldier in Guam. He included experiences and thoughts on homesickness, rebuilding Guam, the role of African Americans and women in the war effort and interactions with Japanese POWs. Trunnell discussed camp life in Guam and the impact on the maintenance crews when crewmen or planes did not return from missions. Trunnell also shared his participation in preparing the Enola Gay for its mission over Hiroshima to drop the first atomic bomb.
Chester Judd was born on Apr 2, 1916 and served as a first lieutenant in the Air Force during World War II. . He was stationed in England from September 1944 to late 1945 and was a B-17 copilot on 35 missions. Judd described camp life, including food and lodging, and explains how the planes were organized for actual missions. He described several combat experiences and how pilots and crew dealt with the strain, particularly flying his final mission. He returned to the United States and flew C-47 cargo planes to transport wounded veterans to hospitals across the country. After the war he became a farmer. He died on November 15, 1995.
Matt Kremer was the ball turret gunner on a B-17 plane during World War II. He was drafted into the army and trained in several camps around the United States. Throughout the interview Kremer described camp life including morale, food, discipline, and personal pastimes. Kremer participated in five bombing missions before being part of the second Schweinfurt Raid in 1943 over Germany, which cost the 8th Air Force over 60 planes and 600 casualties. Wounded by enemy fire, Mr. Kremer bailed out of his plane after it was shot down. Doctors amputated his leg and Kremer spent the next year in a German prison hospital recovering from his wounds. Kremer described his interactions with other prisoners and his doctors throughout the interview. He returned to the United States as part of a repatriation of wounded prisoners and sailed on a neutral Swedish vessel. Kremer described his efforts to readjust to civilian life after the war and the impact his wounds had upon his post-war life.
E.V. "Gene" Sundberg was born on February 2, 1925. A native of Brainerd, he enlisted immediately after high school in the Army Air Corps and trained to become a gunner but eventually became a B-17 pilot stationed in England. Despite flying 23 missions mostly over northern Germany, his crew suffered no wounds and his plane was never severely damaged. However, Sundberg told many stories of planes that were lost, comrades who did not return from missions, and of several near-misses for his crew. Sundberg described the many difficulties involved with a successful mission including flak fire, fighter escorts, the ever changing weather, the dangers involved in flying in tight formation, and flying with dangerous cargo. Sundberg also described base life, including food, dress, discipline, comradery, and specifically how quickly crews from other planes not returning from missions. After the German surrender in May 1945, he flew for the Army Airways Communication System where he was able to celebrate the Japanese surrender in London. He died on July 19, 2001, in Brainerd, Minnesota.
In an oral history conducted by Kris Wiggs on September 27, 1992, Clifton L. Gawtry discussed his experience as a flight instructor for the United States Navy during World War II. Gawtry was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on September 29, 1923. In 1941, after graduating high school in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he enlisted in the United States Navy in the V-5 program. After various flight schools for eighteen months, Gawtry became a flight instructor in Jacksonville and Pensacola, Florida. Gawtry recounted his experiences and comments on various aspects of flight and flight instruction. In 1944, he married his wife, Alice, and had four children. From 1949 to 1963, Gawtry served in a reserve squadron until he retired. He died on April 2, 2000 at the age of 76.
In an oral interview conducted by David Overy on September 4, 1992, Clair A. Dziuk discussed his experiences in the construction of the Alcan Highway, from 1941 to 1943. Dziuk was born April 5, 1907 in Benton County, Minnesota, where he was raised. In this interview Dziuk describes the day to day life of building the Alcan Highway, from working with Canadians and the Army, camp life, and the wildlife of Canada.
In an oral history conducted by David Overy on August 5, 1992, Kenneth J. Porwoll discussed his experiences as an armored tank battalion sergeant and Japanese prisoner of war during World War II. He born on April 13, 1920, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Porwoll was raised in Brainerd, Minnesota. In 1938, Porwoll joined the National Guard, and was activated into the service in 1941 as sergeant in an armored tank battalion in the Philippines. During World War II, he was captured by the Japanese in 1942, and participated in the Bataan Death March. He was then imprisoned for the next three and a half years in Japanese prisoner camps. In addition, he detailed the day to day life in the camps, living in a tropical climate with little to no food, water, and personal space, and living with illnesses like dysentery, malaria, and dengue fever. Porwoll described the kindness of the Filipino people. The Filipino would go out of their way to provide food, water, and cigarettes to the prisoners whenever they had the opportunity, even risking the punishment of death. Porwoll discussed the guilt of being a survivor and the luck that was involved in making it through another day. After the war, Porwoll was informed that he would probably be unable to have children because of the malnutrition and abuse he endured. Despite that assessment and back pain, Porwoll and his wife Mary Ellen had nine children. Outside of his military career, he worked for Capital Gears for thirty years and was an active volunteer in Minneapolis VA Hospital and the Listening House in St. Paul. Kenneth J. Porwoll died on November 11, Veterans Day, 2013 at the age of 93.
In an oral history conducted by David Overy on August 5, 1992, James S. Gabriel discussed his experience as an executive officer in the 143rd Battalion of the United States Army during World War II. Raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, He enlisted in the National Guard in 1938 and joined the United States Army in 1941 when the United States entered World War II. In this interview, Gabriel described his experiences in the Battle of the Bulge and the demilitarization efforts of Germany by the Allied Forces. In addition, he discussed his impression of the various foreign civilians that he encountered while serving in Europe. After World War II, Gabriel discharged from the Army, but served on active duty for the U.S. during the Korean War. Lastly, Gabriel recounted his life as a result of his military experience, both good and bad. He had married his wife, Beulah, and had three children. In 1973, Gabriel married his second wife, Joan, and had three stepchildren. Gabriel retired at the rank of Brigadier General (BVT) and was a supervisor at Western Electric for thirty years. He died on December 17, 2001.
Clem Miller was born on May 5, 1922 in Duluth, MN. He joined the Minnesota National Guard in 1939 and was inducted into the Army in 1941. He and his unit, the 125th Field Artillery in the 34th Infantry Division, were sent to the European theater, and he saw action in North Africa and Italy. Miller directed artillery fire on the battlefield as a surveyor had a wide variety of combat experiences including artillery barrages, air raids, sniper fire, minefields, and friendly fire. In North Africa he patrolled the battlefield after the Allied victory and guarded POWs. In Italy, he served with the 100th Infantry Division and the 92nd Infantry (segregated units of Japanese Americans and African Americans, respectively). Throughout the interview, Miller gave his opinions on the quality of American troops as well as the German and Italian soldiers, their respective armaments, and the civilians he encountered. Miller wrote about his military experiences in a book entitled Some Things You Never Forget. He died on August 27, 2008 in Hermantown, MN.
Born on June 25, 1919, Lloyd Klosowsky was married and a father when he was drafted into the Army shortly after the start of the war. He described his infantry training in Texas and his travel across the Atlantic Ocean on the ship Queen Elizabeth. He saw extensive action throughout the European theater as a sergeant in the 90th Infantry Division. He was involved in the North African campaign where he frequently experienced artillery barrages as well as guarded POWs. He participated in the D-Day landings although this portion of the interview is missing and only his last comments about the invasion are available. He was part of the liberation of France and the Battle of the Bulge and shared many stories about his combat experiences in both. He managed to escape serious injury even though he was wounded during D-Day and nearly lost his feet at the Battle of the Bulge. Klosowsky, with the rest of the 90th Division, helped pursue a German Panzer Corps into Czechoslovakia until the Germans surrendered. The 90th then prepared to invade Japan until receiving word that the war ended. Mr. Klosowsky returned to Duluth after his discharge from the service in December 1945. He died in Stillwater, Minnesota, on November 27, 1996.
In an oral interview conducted by David Overy on October 30, 1991, Marcel Froneyberger discussed his experiences in United States Army in World War II and the Korean War. Froneyberger was born April 14, 1919, and was raised in Dupo, Illinois. In this interview, Froneyberger described his participation in rebuilding railroads and infrastructure in North Africa and Europe during World War II. He recounted his time on the frontlines on the Pusan Perimeter during the Battle of Bloody Ridge during the Korean War. In addition, he described how his military service affected his everyday life with family and employment, both good and bad. Froneyberger died December 19, 1996, and was buried in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Missouri.
Donald Jurgs was born on September 16, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois. Jurgs was drafted into the Army on March 1, 1942 and served with the 3rd Infantry Division. He was captured by the Germans in 1944 at the Battle of Cisterna in Italy. He was held as a prisoner of war in a various camps throughout Italy and Germany for fifteen months until being liberated. He spent time in large scale prisoner camps as well as working for almost a year in a 50 man work crew in a lumbering camp. Jurgs described aspects of camp life including food, clothing, and survival skills. He also describes the many acts of resistance the prisoners engaged in, the spirit and code among the POWs, interactions with guards and civilians, and the treatment prisoners of different nationalities received. After the war, Jurgs married, attended college to become a teacher, and was a father of three. Jurgs was active in the organization American Ex-Prisoners of War (AXPOW) and worked with the National Prisoner of War museum in Andersonville, Georgia. He died on March 11, 2001, and is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Kenneth Skalberg discussed his induction and training in the Army Air Corps in 1943. He described in detail his training throughout the United States in fighter pilot school. During the interview he gave thorough descriptions of the benefits and failings of the P-39, the P-38, and the P-47, which was the fighter he flew the most. He also described the different types of training received including mock dog fights that would spontaneously occur when Army pilots came across Navy pilots. Skalberg was eventually stationed in the Pacific theater but the war ended before he saw actual combat. He also discussed his continued involvement in the military and his later participation in Vietnam. During the 1950s, he was the personal pilot for Air Force Major General Doubleday and then flew C-133 Cargomasters for the remainder of his career, including 55 missions into Vietnam. Skalberg shared many flight experiences including near-misses, accidents he observed, and delivering military cargo to airfields near the battles. He also discusses the variety of cargo that he flew around the world. Throughout the interview, Skalberg showed appreciation for his military career and the opportunities it provided him. Retiring in 1970, Skalberg settled with his family in Dassel, Minnesota.
Richard Johnson was born on August 9, 1924. He was a B-17 pilot stationed in England and later became a prisoner of war after being shot down in the fall of 1944 on his eighth bombing mission. He was a B-17 pilot stationed in England. Johnson thoroughly detailed his training including through basic training to various levels of flight training. He was sent to three different schools to eventually become a copilot of a B-17 bomber. Stationed in England, Johnson was shot down during a mission in the fall of 1944. Johnson described the mission, how he survived and was captured. He was held at Stalag Luft III until January 1945 when he and the rest of the camp marched westward. They were held in Stalag Luft 7A until April 1945 when American forces liberated their camp. Johnson described the basics of camp life including food and sleeping arrangements as well as the interactions with Germans. He was in France when Germany surrendered and was sent home with other POWs. He died on May 11, 2009 in Dassel, Minnesota.
In an oral history conducted by David Overy on December 28, 1990, Donald C. Grant discussed his experience as an artillery officer in the United States Army's 151st Field Artillery during World War II. Donald C. Grant was born on February 16, 1913, and was raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1928, at age 15, Grant lied about his age and joined the National Guard of the United States. In 1937, Grant made second lieutenant in the United States Army and went on active duty during World War II. While stationed in North Africa, Grant received a Silver Star for role in the Battle of Hill 609. Grant discussed his experiences in Italy at the Battle of Monte Cassino and the Battle of Anzio and the harsh realities of being an artilleryman. In 1941, Grant married his wife Norma, and had three children. Lastly, Grant described his thoughts and feelings about military service impacting civilian life. He also served active duty stateside during the Korean War. In 1967, then Governor Harold LeVander chose Major General Grant to head the Army National Guard�s 47th �Viking� Infantry Division from 1963 to 1971. Throughout his military career and after, Grant was employed by the Western Electric Co. He worked his way up from floor sweeper to retiring at warehouse supervisor. Grant died in June 1998.
In an oral history conducted by Daniel Lewis on May 18, 1991, Charles Arnold discussed his experience as a baker and typist in the United States Air Force during World War II. Raised in Preston, Minnesota, he was drafted into the Army in 1941, but enlisted in the Air Force and became a baker. In this interview, Arnold described day to day life living and working in the Matagorda Island Air Force Base in Texas. In 1945, Arnold was transferred to Fresno, California to attend typist school. In addition, he discussed his thoughts and feelings about his time in the Air Force and the several military bases he served on. In 1944, Arnold married his wife, Audrey, and had six children. Lastly, Arnold discussed life after the Air Force, becoming a farmer and raising his children. He died on December 9, 2009.
Born on April 4, 1916 in Plainview, MN, Forrest L. Klockeman was a hydraulic engineer and mechanic during World War 2. He served with the Army Air Corps in Cairo, Egypt and, from there, made several trips into Turkey before returning home. In Africa, he was largely responsible for checking aircraft as they were transferred to the African theater from other locations. In Cairo, he worked at Heliopolis Airport servicing C-46 cargo planes. Settling in Fountain, Minnesota, with his wife, he operated Klockeman Brothers Garage and raised four sons. He died on January 26, 1994.
In an oral interview conducted by David Overy on October 1990, William "Bill" Faber discussed his twenty years of military service in the National Guard, Navy, Air Force, and Army from 1937 to 1962. Faber was born on January 15, 1921, in Anoka, Minnesota, where he was raised. Faber enlisted in the National Guard in January 1937 as a member of the 125th Field Artillery, then joined the Navy in 1940, and later the Air Force as a sergeant first class. He would then transfer to the Army as second lieutenant. Faber"s military career spans multiple wars, he describes his role in the Battle of Midway in June 1942 during World War II and later his time as a member of the Korean Military Advisory Group after the Korean War. Throughout his various military roles Faber detailed daily life, food, foreign civilian interactions, and fond memories of his time in the service. In 1962, Faber retired from the Army as a major. He returned to Anoka and worked from the Telect Company as a quality control director. On January 18, 2008, Faber died in Little Falls, Minnesota.
In this oral history by David H. Overy, Carl F. VanderHaar details his service experiences in the Minnesota National Guard and U.S. Army from 1931 to 1952. VonderHaar was born in Albertville, Minnesota on June 21, 1913, and was raised in Little Falls where he spent his adult life. His service includes early surveying and construction at Camp Ripley, motor repair during World War II, and later quartermaster duties in both World War 2 and Korea. VonderHaar served overseas in Ireland, Africa, France, and the Philippines. In Minnesota, he ran several successful businesses between his terms of military service. VonderHaar also discusses Japanese internment, Vietnam and the Gulf War. The father of four he died on April 27, 2014, at the age of 100 in Little Falls, Minnesota.
Marion Herman (1912 - ), native Russian and immigrant to St. Paul, Minnesota, begins this interview with a description of St. Paul Jewish neighborhoods and synagogues during the Depression years. The focus turns to Herman's involvement in various community organizations and fundraising initiatives, with discussion relating to the Capitol Fund Drive, Parent Teacher Association, Talmud Torah schools, area Hebrew schools and synagogues. This interview was conducted by Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest volunteer Harriet Kohen for the United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Ada Rubenstein (1917 - ) was born in St. Paul, Minnesota; became involved with Jewish organizations at an early age and later took on several leadership positions. In this interview, the women discuss Rubenstein's career in community service and the community's needs at the time, with detailed discussion about various organizations such as Hadassah, the Council of Jewish Women, Sholom Residence, and the United Jewish Fund. This interview was conducted by Dr. Linda Mack Schloff, former director of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest, in effort to document the stories of Jewish immigration to and community leaders in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
Edward Bronstein (1903 - ) was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, into a family of recent Jewish settlers from Prussia who were operating a local mattress factory. In this interview, Bronstein recalls the story of his family settling in St. Paul, describes the city with particular attention to different religious groups and their relations, as well as differences between various Jewish groups. The focus of the interview shifts to Bronstein's career fundraising for various civic and Jewish organizations starting in the 1920s and 30s. Special attention is afforded to Mount Zion synagogue, National Conference of Christians and Jews, United Jewish Fund (early history), United Charities, Jewish Charities and the Federation, as well as Zionism vs. non-Zionism in St. Paul. This interview was conducted by Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest volunteer Lois Devitt for the United Jewish Fund and Council Oral History Project.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Libraries, Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives
People protest a showing of the film "Gone with the Wind" at Atwood Memorial Center at St. Cloud State University. The protest sign reads, "This film is racist don't support it."
The Archibald Mark Chisholm (1864-1933) and Lillian Cummings Chisholm house at 1832 East Second Street was given to the Duluth board of education in 1935, and converted to the A. M. Chisholm Memorial Children's Musuem which had been established in 1931 at the Salter School. The building was modified again to serve as a home for boys in this photograph. The museum changed its name and relocated to The Depot in downtown Duluth.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
Biographical Information: Brooks was originally from New Jersey. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan and did her graduate work in political science at Michigan State. After graduating, she taught at Michigan State and Lansing Community College. In 1971 she moved to Minnesota. She worked for the State University Board, headed Senator McGovern's presidential campaign effort, and was director of majority research for the Senate. In 1976 she became an aide for Governor Rudy Perpich and was also the governor's representative to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board. Subjects discussed: Background; role in Governor Perpich's administration in powerline issue; Governor Perpich's handling of the issues; Governor Wendell Anderson's administration in handling controversy; legislators vs. the governor on making decisions; legislative action taken; science court; protest movement; what it was like working for Governor Perpich; the media's role; and the usefulness of the public forum in environmental issues.
Biographical Information: Sheldon was born and raised in Minneapolis. In 1970, he graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in journalism. After graduating, he was the editor of two weekly newspapers and was with Associated Press before becoming state editor of the Sioux Falls Argus Leader in 1971. He went on to be associate editor of the Minnesota Motorist Magazine and became AAA's public relations manager. He was hired as Cooperative Power Association's public relations manager in 1977. Subjects discussed: Background. Status of project upon being hired as public relations manager of CPA. Dealing with Le Seur County suit and southern line. Routing and siting powerline-impact and usefulness of state laws; AC vs. DC line; towers; expense and cost to consumer. Development of project-Fallkirk Mining Company; Minnesota vs. North Dakota as plant site. Management study of CPA. Vandalism. Health issues. Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. As public relations manager-initial reaction to situation; steps taken to deal with situation; relationship to management; working with opposition. Science court. Possibility of merging CPA and UPA. CPA's image. Media's handling of events. How problems could have been avoided. Long-term impact on cooperative structure. Personal impact.
Biographical Information: Stone was the editor of the Pope County Tribune. Subjects discussed: Background. Pope County Tribune. Coverage of the powerline controversy. Getting information on issues from the cooperatives and the utilities. Effect of reporting on opposition effort. Quality of overall reporting on issue. Determining newsworthy events. Covering confrontations. Sheriff's responsibility in confrontations. Relationship of lawsuit and protesting. Public relations. County attorney's resignation. Tripp campaign. Reporting of damage by cooperatives and cost discrepancies. Difficulty of job as editor in reporting controversy. Impact on people in area. Reasons for controversy. Opposition groups.
Biographical Information: Crocker was from Minneapolis and graduated from Stillwater High School. He attended the University of Minnesota for several years when he became involved in the anti-war movement. He worked as a draft counselor and anti-draft organizer for the Twin Cities draft information center. He was living in Lowry, Pope County during the powerline protest. Subjects discussed: Background; involvement in 1960s anti-war movement; becoming involved in powerline issue; reaction to powerline controversy; cooperative decision making process; decentralized energy; development of energy needs; soft vs. hard technology; usefulness of non-violent protest tactics; significance of protest movements; relationship of powerline investment and dome stadiums; personal role in controversy; utilities strategy; impact of the media; Tesla Project; and developing alternative energy resources.
Biographical Information: Koudela was a farmer from Alexandria, Douglas County. She was president of Save Our Countryside. Subjects discussed: Initial involvement with powerline controversy. Background in community involvement. Learning about the powerline. Save Our Countryside-history of; how it differs from other organizations; finding resources for information on line; communicating with cooperatives and CPA-UPA; membership; role as president. Counties United for a Rural Environment. Working with the media. General Assembly to Stop the Powerline-reason for; structure; organizing. Role of Governor Perpich. Impact of legal system on movement. Status of the line and opposition. General Accounting Office investigation. Impressions of working with state government. Tripp campaign. Women as visible spokespersons in controversy.
Biographical Information: Barsness was a farmer from Cyrus, Pope County. She freelanced as a reporter on the powerline controversy for KMRS Radio and several newspapers in Pope County. Subjects discussed: Getting involved in the powerline controversy. Survey-conducting surveys; changes in second survey; results of; additional comments on. Working as a newsreporter. Darrell Mulroy incident. Runestone Electic Cooperative-trying to work with the co-op; members vs. board of directors; bylaws; reforming the structure; organizing special meeting; co-op as big business instead of representing the people; relationship to CPA. Relationship between CPA and UPA. Vandalism costs. Media-working with; overall handling of issue. Governor's involvement-role; working with him; science court. Opposition tactics. Impact of issue on self and people in the area. Issues for people in controversy-troopers; health and safety hazards; placement of towers; difficulty of communicating with utilities. Types of protesters and their issues. CPA and UPA impressions of the issues. Communicating with Bob Sheldon of CPA. Communicating with state officials and police. Working with opponents. Communication between protesters and utilities, governor, legislators. Turning points in protest.
Biographical Information: Barsness was a farmer from Cyrus, Pope County. She freelanced as a reporter on the powerline controversy for KMRS Radio and several newspapers in Pope County. Subjects discussed: Getting involved in the powerline controversy. Survey-conducting surveys; changes in second survey; results of; additional comments on. Working as a newsreporter. Darrell Mulroy incident. Runestone Electic Cooperative-trying to work with the co-op; members vs. board of directors; bylaws; reforming the structure; organizing special meeting; co-op as big business instead of representing the people; relationship to CPA. Relationship between CPA and UPA. Vandalism costs. Media-working with; overall handling of issue. Governor's involvement-role; working with him; science court. Opposition tactics. Impact of issue on self and people in the area. Issues for people in controversy-troopers; health and safety hazards; placement of towers; difficulty of communicating with utilities. Types of protesters and their issues. CPA and UPA impressions of the issues. Communicating with Bob Sheldon of CPA. Communicating with state officials and police. Working with opponents. Communication between protesters and utilities, governor, legislators. Turning points in protest.
Biographical Information: Hirsch was a professor of Physics and chairman of the Science and Mathematics Divisions, University of Minnesota at Morris. Subjects discussed: How he became involved in the powerline controversy. Hearing process-involvement with; effectiveness of. Environmental impact of line and Corona discharge. Commonwealth Associates report. Monitoring ozone levels produced by line. The effect of electric fields on plants and animals. West Coast trip. Science court. The possibility of an underground powerline. Need for line. Usefulness of research on powerline, especially for scientific community. Impact of controversy on farming community.
Biographical Information: Jost was a farmer near Morris in Stevens County. He was vice-president, board of directors of Cooperative Power Association and a member, board of directors of Agralite Cooperative. Subjects discussed: Background. History of Cooperative Power Association. Planning of the project and different power source options considered. Anticipating opposition to the line. Role of local cooperatives and informing people of route. Power Plant Siting Act. What people were reacting to concerning the line. Role as board of director and dealing with members of Agralite. Health and safety concerns. Cost effectiveness of one plant as opposed to a decentralized system. Public hearings. Science court. How utilities dealt with confrontations. Determining the need for a line. Utilities and research of energy source options. Impact of controversy on other powerline projects. How Jost became a director. Role as a CPA representative. Membership involvement in cooperatives. Positive benefits of controversy on cooperatives. Impact of involvement with cooperatives on life.
Biographical Information: Anderson was President, board of directors of Cooperative Power Association. He was a farmer in Litchfield, Meeker County. Subjects discussed: Background. Impact of powerline on the area. Structure of Meeker Cooperative Light and CPA. Relationship of CPA with UPA. Mid-Continent Area Power Pool. Events leading to the Powerline project. Choice of a DC line vs. a AC line. Determining the need for more power. Opposition to the line-anticipating; reaction to; meeting with leaders. Financing the project. Vandalism and the subsequent costs. Effectiveness of hearing process. Being grandfathered out of siting process. Health and safety issues. Science court. Lawsuits. Use of security guards. Handling of controversy by the media. Government Accounting Office study. Future needs for energy. Impact of controversy on future powerlines. Mankato line. Establishment of and reaction to Rural Electrification Administration.
Biographical Information: Hanson was raised on a farm and is a farmer in Pope County. He attended Alexandria Tech School and at the time of the interview was pursuing a degree at the University of Morris. In 1978, Hanson was the manager of Alice Tripp's gubernatorial campaign. Subjects discussed: Background. Learning about the powerline. Local reaction. Routing of the line. Health and safety issues. Media. Hanson's history of political involvement. DFL and powerline. Alice Tripp's campaign for governor-as campaign manager; campaign issues of powerline, abortion and taxes; candidates Bob Short and Wendell Anderson on powerline issue; sheriff's campaign; Republican candidates on the powerline issue; local politicians view of Tripps' candidacy; Rudy Perpich as a campaign issue in powerline controversy; possibility of Tripp campaigning again. Personal role in controversy. Decision to fast in protest. Concluding remarks.
Biographical Information: Hanson was raised on a farm and is a farmer in Pope County. He attended Alexandria Tech School and at the time of the interview was pursuing a degree at the University of Morris. In 1978, Hanson was the manager of Alice Tripp's gubernatorial campaign. Subjects discussed: Background. Learning about the powerline. Local reaction. Routing of the line. Health and safety issues. Media. Hanson's history of political involvement. DFL and powerline. Alice Tripp's campaign for governor-as campaign manager; campaign issues of powerline, abortion and taxes; candidates Bob Short and Wendell Anderson on powerline issue; sheriff's campaign; Republican candidates on the powerline issue; local politicians view of Tripps' candidacy; Rudy Perpich as a campaign issue in powerline controversy; possibility of Tripp campaigning again. Personal role in controversy. Decision to fast in protest.
Biographical Information: The Woidas were farmers and powerline opponents from Sauk Centre in Stearns County. Subjects discussed: Learning about the powerline project. Effect of the line on farm-placement of tower and position of line; spraying; irrigation; safety. The opposition-concerns of; involvement in; role of outside protesters in; effectiveness of. Working within the cooperative structure. Electricity-conservation; increased need; alternative methods for farmers; underground wiring; future problems with resources. Routing of line-alternative routes; wildlife land given priority. The role of and working with the media. Confrontations-with surveyors; arrests; lawsuits. Compensation by the utilities-easement; annual payment. Involvement of Governor Perpich. Mediation sessions. Costs resulting from the project-vandalism; hiring security quards; to citizens. Clean-up after the line. State government-relationship with utilities; legislators; views of working within the system. Coal mining. How controversy could have been avoided. Leadership role. Impact of lawsuits on opposition. Relationship of Indian movement and the powerline controversy. Iowa Coal scam. Public awareness of controversy.
Biographical Information: The Woidas were farmers and powerline opponents from Sauk Centre in Stearns County. Subjects discussed: Learning about the powerline project. Effect of the line on farm-placement of tower and position of line; spraying; irrigation; safety. The opposition-concerns of; involvement in; role of outside protesters in; effectiveness of. Working within the cooperative structure. Electricity-conservation; increased need; alternative methods for farmers; underground wiring; future problems with resources. Routing of line-alternative routes; wildlife land given priority. The role of and working with the media. Confrontations-with surveyors; arrests; lawsuits. Compensation by the utilities-easement; annual payment. Involvement of Governor Perpich. Mediation sessions. Costs resulting from the project-vandalism; hiring security quards; to citizens. Clean-up after the line. State government-relationship with utilities; legislators; views of working within the system. Coal mining. How controversy could have been avoided. Leadership role. Impact of lawsuits on opposition. Relationship of Indian movement and the powerline controversy. Iowa Coal scam. Public awareness of controversy.
Biographical Information: Pick was a native of Wisconsin. She moved to Minneapolis in 1975 to attend school and work. While attending school on and off, she taught in special programs for emotionally disturbed children, worked in the theater, and with the tenants union. She became involved in the powerline controversy and moved to Lowry in 1978 to work in the issue full-time. Subjects discussed: Background. Becoming involved in the controversy. Media-image produced regarding issues; newspaper vs. TV coverage; relationship of media to protesters and to utilities. Relationship of current movements to involvement in previous groups. Health and safety issues. North American Coal Co. and realtionship to UPA and CPA. Government Accounting Office investigation and possible recourse for opposition. Cooperative as representative of the people. Routing of line and siting law. Political involvement by opposition. Reactions of residents to outsiders involvement. Role in struggle. Purpose of confrontations. Science court. Legal defense record-court record; decision by jury vs. judge; grand jury investigation; supreme court decision. Security methods instigated. Darrell Mulroy and utilities. Easement compensation. Effect of line on people. Effectiveness of how opposition was organized. Future of powerline controversy. Future energy needs.