Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1936-09-24
OLSON ASIKNEW HIM
BY Left H. GilStad

Floyd b. Olson goes into history
as one of Minnesota's outstanding gov
ernors. bitterly criticised on some
sides, and vigorously and warmly
praised on others.
"A man of great personality that
gave him wide power and host of
admiring friends, Governor Olson
dared to be himself at all times, and
that was one of the traits that made
him both feared and respected.
His is story of the fighting rise
of an American Individual life and
experience so developed that he main
tanned a real concern for the under
dog because he had been one of the
common people. nay regarded himself
as one of them to the last
1T had been my privilege to know
Governor Olson fairly we'll, and to
see many of the facets of a tremen-
dously interesting life to sit at
ease in his private office and talk of
anything that popped into our heads;
to relax in his home and chatter; to
ride across the state to a political
meeting and take national affairs
apart.
Sincere Crusader.
81 have been asked the question
many times, and | have asked it my
self i. was he an idealist, a real
believer in all that he professed, or
was he merely willing Opportunist,
riding a vehicle to personal power?
MY own opinion is that he was es-
underdog, who earnestly wanted to
see better things for the common
man; that he mixed that feeling with
the instincts of an acute and ambi
tious politician who loved politics as
great game; that he would utilize
any reasonable means to gain the end
of power and position.
81 told him once that there was a
constant debate over the sincerity of
his motives; l asked if he thought he
was as radical as he spoke. He pom
dered moment, then replied:
az think l am more radical than
l talk Then he philosophical bit,
suggesting that the ideal state would
be the simple communal state mot
Communism, it should be understood)
but that he was aware it was imprac-
tical.
Del ghtful Companion.
''He was delightful companion be-
cause he was an entertaining and
friendly talker. He was the last word
in frankness, and could use snappy
language to express himself about a
man or an idea.
Everywhere one hears, He was
great guy Certainly he impressed
himself on all he met, though those
who held different political views
would add, Even though l don't agree
with him.
His sublime courage-he would
have called it just plain quits him
self, though he wouldn't talk about
his own traits Che would let them
speak frankly and bluntly for them
selves)-his directness, his brilliance
as a speaker, his humor, his clear
mind, all these things were known
parts of the man. But there were
other things not so obvious.
Despite all his companions, and
his hectic public life, he was in some
respects a lonesome man. He told
me once:
"'This madhouse wears on me, al
ways somebody on your neck. l am
happiest when l can go into my den,
all by myself, and shut myself away
with a book. l like to get away
from it,
Sentimental Beneath.
Despite that crust of hardness
which was frequently seen and showed
itself sometimes in the turn of his
underlip when speaking, he was
sentimentalist Many time he was
turned from the direct path from
home to office, to drive down through
the Gateway or over to the North side,
even through alleys :. looking back
over the scenes he knew as a young
ster. He would look at them silently,
then would burst into "reminiscences
of youth and the hard struggle for