One fine morning, Nels was playing a friendly game of checkers with Lem McCary, a kindly old drifter, when Harriet was preparing to head out to Lars Hanson's old house and go through it...wait, I thought Mr. Hanson's house became the blind school and it burned down in Season 6 (courtesy of Albert Ingalls), so did Hanson have a second house somewhere? Anyway, Harriet had the intention of selling it. So after rudely making Lem get lost, she gathered up Nels, Willie, Nancy, and a boatload of supplies and they headed out. While cleaning the staircase, Harriet came upon a secret compartment containing paperwork that Lars had left behind presumably. One of which was a bearer bond for Walnut Grove, stating that the benefactor be paid 10% of annual taxes, dating back to 1835 (I thought the town was founded in 1840?) and benefactor is Harriet Oleson since she swindled the estate. Not wasting a moment, Harriet called a town council meeting to bluntly tell them in a round about way that they owe her over $14,000. Why Harriet left that meeting with her head still intact is beyond me. But it gets worse: in lieu of the money, she wants not only a street named after her, but the whole bloody town! Walnut Grove is dead (again), Olesonville is born.
The one most effected by this change was Lem McCary. See, he and Hanson go back a long way. He helped him start the town. Yeah, I'd say Lars is spinning in his grave about now, as Harriet puts her next plan of action into effect: elect a mayor, and whom does she nominate: Nels, but since he lost his backbone a few seasons ago, Harriet would technically be mayor (the Bush/Cheney effect). But, an opposing candidate was soon found, and he didn't know it yet. After getting the idea from John, ol' Lem went out and told Edwards that Almanzo Wilder was considering running for mayor. Edwards told Anderson at the bank, who told Etta Plum, who told Doc Baker and Mrs. Foster, who told some...unnamed extra; Almanzo found out from Harriet, who stuck her foot in her mouth and gave him the drive he needed. Almanzo is running, and Lem becomes his campaign manager. After a short campaign, Almanzo decided he couldn't take the pressure and drops out. Determined not to give up, Lem has one more trick up his sleeve: he talks Harriet into letting he and his friends hold a social at the old Hanson house, offering to fix it up good as new and in turn make Harriet look good. She jumped at the chance, and after the fact, Lem joined in the election. And what a turn out it was. After giving a heartfelt speech on how he intended to restore Walnut Grove to its former glory, Lem McCary won the election by 3 votes. And as for Harriet's bond, it turns out it was one of two, the first was owned by Jess Moffat, Lem's old pal, so he would be paid long before Harriet, at a dollar a year. So, Harriet Oleson was foiled and Olesonville was dead...Walnut Grove was back, and stronger and closer than ever.
Needless to say I think Lem McCary would make a great mayor, but whether or not he did we don't know because, typically, after this episode we never see his ass again. What's the deal, Little House?! As mayor of Walnut Grove, you'd think he would have at least been there for "The Last Farewell" when they blew the town right the hell up! Oh well. "Welcome to Olesonville" is an okay episode. It's loaded with plot holes, but it's still good. Lew Ayers was excellent, as was Charles Lane, and Katherine MacGregor was terrific as that woman we all love to hate. It's not great, but it's a fun episode. Check it out if you're a Prairie fan.
The one most effected by this change was Lem McCary. See, he and Hanson go back a long way. He helped him start the town. Yeah, I'd say Lars is spinning in his grave about now, as Harriet puts her next plan of action into effect: elect a mayor, and whom does she nominate: Nels, but since he lost his backbone a few seasons ago, Harriet would technically be mayor (the Bush/Cheney effect). But, an opposing candidate was soon found, and he didn't know it yet. After getting the idea from John, ol' Lem went out and told Edwards that Almanzo Wilder was considering running for mayor. Edwards told Anderson at the bank, who told Etta Plum, who told Doc Baker and Mrs. Foster, who told some...unnamed extra; Almanzo found out from Harriet, who stuck her foot in her mouth and gave him the drive he needed. Almanzo is running, and Lem becomes his campaign manager. After a short campaign, Almanzo decided he couldn't take the pressure and drops out. Determined not to give up, Lem has one more trick up his sleeve: he talks Harriet into letting he and his friends hold a social at the old Hanson house, offering to fix it up good as new and in turn make Harriet look good. She jumped at the chance, and after the fact, Lem joined in the election. And what a turn out it was. After giving a heartfelt speech on how he intended to restore Walnut Grove to its former glory, Lem McCary won the election by 3 votes. And as for Harriet's bond, it turns out it was one of two, the first was owned by Jess Moffat, Lem's old pal, so he would be paid long before Harriet, at a dollar a year. So, Harriet Oleson was foiled and Olesonville was dead...Walnut Grove was back, and stronger and closer than ever.
Needless to say I think Lem McCary would make a great mayor, but whether or not he did we don't know because, typically, after this episode we never see his ass again. What's the deal, Little House?! As mayor of Walnut Grove, you'd think he would have at least been there for "The Last Farewell" when they blew the town right the hell up! Oh well. "Welcome to Olesonville" is an okay episode. It's loaded with plot holes, but it's still good. Lew Ayers was excellent, as was Charles Lane, and Katherine MacGregor was terrific as that woman we all love to hate. It's not great, but it's a fun episode. Check it out if you're a Prairie fan.
