Minnesota’s Gift
On April 14, 1967, that’s how the Framingham News characterized the late Sen. Charles W. Olson. His long and remarkable career ended after a tragic automobile accident in Maryland that also claimed his older brother Victor. By all accounts, Senator Olson was universally admired, respected, and sadly, mourned by all he served.
Charles W. Olson was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on August 24th 1889. As a youth, he moved to Massachusetts with his parents and five brothers and sisters living in the greater Boston area until his father bought the farm at
in
Ashland. The main house still exists
today, and is located near the top of the
hill on the right side (heading west) just
before the Middle School. The property
itself is of historical interest having had
a barn with three chimneys. Besides its
obvious purpose, it was also used as a
store for selling beef and other provisions.
The barn no longer exists, but some of the
hardware used to hang the beef was donated
to the Historical Society,
If anyone lived life to the fullest, it was Charlie. As a teen, he won the amateur light heavyweight boxing championship of New England. Later, he played semi-pro baseball and basketball in and around the New Bedford area earning a reputation as “that tall fellow who can jump higher than the basket”. His interests didn’t stop at sports. An avid hunter and deep-sea fisherman, Charlie loved the outdoors. He often slept out in the fresh air on his farm in Ashland, and owned a summer place in Rockport, Mass to be by the sea.
Before going into politics, Charlie was a carpenter by trade. He belonged to the Carpenter’s Union at Springfield, and held an active union card until his death. He was also and authority on raising goats, often serving as judge at local shows. Not to be ‘one-upped’ by anyone, he and his teammates beat the best Vermont and New Hampshire farms in a goat milking contest on Boston Common in 1948. He later went on to beat the president of the Massachusetts Council of Milk Goat Breeders by filling a three-quart pail in two minutes! I have trouble filling a one gallon water bucket with water. But that’s mostly due to the water ban, so I’m out of practice. By the way, has anyone seen the Hopkinton Reservoir lately? With a good set of waders you could probably walk out to the island. Who knows, maybe they will find Babe Ruth’s piano, or an old LaSalle.
Anyway, back to Charlie. On the local level, he served as police chief (1931-1934), and as a member of the Board of Selectmen. Being a staunch Republican, he served as chairman of the Republican Town Committee. Moving up the political ladder, he was elected to three 2-year terms as Representative of the 8th Middlesex District serving Ashland, Hopkinton, Holliston, and Sherborn. He served 12 terms as Senator that included his representative district plus, as the Framingham News put it, “the Democratic strongholds of Bellingham, Blackstone, and Millville”. His district was later extended as far north as Acton. While at the State House, he served as committee chairman of labor and industry, highways and motor vehicles, towns and harbors, and public lands. He was also the senior Republican member of the powerful rules committee.
Apparently Charlie had a sense of humor. His quick wit made him a natural politician. He once advocated the use of whipping posts, ducking stools (yes, they are also called dunking stools or diving chairs), and stocks for drunk drivers. As a Representative in 1937 he sponsored a bill to reinstate Puritan type punishments for drunk drivers. It nearly passed! He is quoted as saying “ Fines and jail sentences may be sufficient punishment for the crime, but they do not act as deterrents. Few people can stand ridicule.”
Charlie’s accomplishments did not go unnoticed. At a testimonial in 1961, Governor John Volpe and Senator John Powers honored him for his 40 years of service to his hometown of Ashland and the legislature. On his retirement in 1965, Senate President Maurice Donahue and other State Officials paid tribute to the departing senator. Senator Donahue characterized Charlie as a “great American”. He went on to say: “I have been honored during the past 14 years to have served with Charles Olsen. As a young man to enter the Senate, he was one of the first to come to me and extend a hand of welcome. Since that time we have been very warm friends and I have seen the work he has done for the people in his area. He has done all things for all people. He has devoted his life to the service of his fellow man.”
Unfortunately his retirement was short. It ended at Physician’s Memorial Hospital in Maryland five days after that fateful night on Rte. 301 in 1967. In a tribute to the late Senator, the Board of Selectmen for the Town of Ashland proclaimed: “The citizens of Ashland mourn the tragic death of Senator Charles W. Olsen. Senator Olsen served as Chief of Police for 1931 to 1934. He was a State representative from 1934 to 1941, at which time he was elected to the State Senate where he represented the Middlesex-Worcester district from 1941 to 1965. He retired from public office after more than 30 years’ service. The loss of Senator Olsen is a loss not only to the townspeople of Ashland, but to the entire Massachusetts. He served the people well, regardless of political affiliations. It seems appropriate that Charlie Olsen will be buried in Wildwood Cemetery on Patriots Day as he was a true friend to all the people”.
The article in the Framingham News went on from there; however this was the essence of it. The Town of Ashland had three Selectmen in 1967. George Tegelaar, Jr., Arnold Baker, and Colby Scott. To be honest with you, I do not remember George Tegelaar, Jr. but I do remember Arnold and Colby. Perhaps you have a better recollection than I do.
At any rate, next Patriots’ Day while you are watching the race, think of ‘Minnesota’s Gift’.
Steve Leacu for Ashland Directions