The Great Sand Fracas of Ames County: A Novel

52. Meeting

203 Meeting 52 Ibelieve you all know why we are here,” said Emily Higgins as she called the Link Lake Historical Society meeting to order. She began by sharing the information she had gotten from a variety of sources, including what she had heard from Officer Jimmy Barnes and from Oscar Anderson, who chimed in to elaborate on his story, making it considerably more exciting than the reality of what had happened. “We now have a drilling machine in the park, along with armed guards carrying big rifles that, according to Oscar, appear ready to shoot with the slightest provocation,” continued Emily. “Is there anything at all we can do?” asked someone from the back row. “I don’t know,” answered Emily, “but that’s why I called this meeting, to see if we can come up with something. There must be something we can do.” “Is the Trail Marker Oak still safe?” someone else asked. “Oscar stopped by the park this morning, and he said it was still standing. In fact Oscar said one of the armed guards was hiding behind it. Isn’t that right, Oscar?” Emily said as she nodded toward him in the front row. “Yup, that’s right. Scared the bejeebers out of me when this guy with a gun jumped out from behind that old oak,” said Oscar. “What if we organize a group to protest at the park, like we did before?” someone asked. “I wouldn’t recommend it. I think that’s what the mining company expects us to do—that’s one of the reasons they have the guards. Somebody might get hurt,” said Emily. 204 Meeting “I think the only hope we have is to let Stony Field know what’s happening,” said Fred Russo. “If Stony Field knew about what was goin’ on, what he’d write in his column might make a difference. Might put a stop at least to this armed guard nonsense. Looks like there’s no stoppin’ the sand mine though. They’re hell bent on goin’ ahead with the project.” Someone else suggested that Emily talk with Karl Adams, perhaps go out to his cabin on the lake and see what he could do to help. “I doubt that would do any good. What could he do? He’s just small potatoes in that big Alstage Sand Mining Company,” said Emily. After an hour or so of lamenting, complaining, and wringing hands, the group disbanded and headed toward home. Ambrose Adler had sat in the back row and had taken in the entire conversation. He knew what he must do when he returned home that evening. Once back at his house, he gave a few treats to Ranger and Buster, unlocked the door to his secret office, and pulled up to his big, dependable Remington manual typewriter. He rolled in a fresh sheet of paper and began typing. field notes Gestapo Tactics in Link Lake By Stony Field As readers of this column know, I have been following developments in the little Village of Link Lake, Wisconsin, since their village board signed a lease for the Alstage Sand Mining Company to open a sand mine there in October. You will recall that a company-owned million-dollar drilling machine was mysteriously destroyed earlier in the summer. So far no person or persons have been arrested for that illegal act. Many readers also remember watching the park’s resident bald eagle family on the town’s eagle cam; three of the eagles were killed in the blast that destroyed the drilling machine. Just this week, the Alstage Company, in the dark of night, secretly brought in a replacement drilling machine. And along with the drilling machine, they brought in hired guns, security guards wearing military 205 Meeting clothing and carrying military-type weapons. I understand why the company would want security given what happened to the first drilling machine. But military-type men with military-type weapons for little Link Lake? Everyone in the village was as disturbed by what happened to the first drilling machine as was the mining company. But guards armed with assault weapons seems more than a little overreacting. If the mining company ever wants to arrive on the good side of the citizens of Link Lake, they’d better quit acting like bullies and begin acting like good neighbors. So far, the famous and very historic Trail Marker...