My Story as Western Union Employee
by Rose Bustos-Joss

May 1954 I graduated from high school in Rawlins, Wyoming.  I knew someone who worked at the local Western Union office.  She told me how I could go to work for Western Union.  That meant I was to go to Ogden, Utah for training as a teletype operator and then I would be assigned to a Western Union office anyplace in the Western states.

So I took a train ride to Ogden, Utah and entered the training program in the Western Union office in Ogden.  At the end of the summer I was assigned to the Western Union office in Casper, Wyoming.  After that I learned I could be a Relief Operator and work in various offices taking the place of employees who were on vacation, sick leave or leave. 

I did that for several years and eventually was promoted to Relief Manager.  I worked in Casper, WY; Cheyenne, WY; Jackson Hole, WY; Sheridan, WY; Laramie, WY; Burley, Idaho; Pocatello, Idaho; Reno, Nevada; Price, Utah; San Francisco, CA, Sacramento, CA; San Rafael, CA; Redding, CA and Chico, CA.

My employment with Western Union lasted from 1954 to 1961.  It was the most fun and interesting job and I met many people who have been lasting friends.  My time with the company prepared me for other private industry and government jobs.  I hold my time with Western Union in a special place in my memories.