Obit for Sadie Colwell, 1958, Winn Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies
120 Ted Price Lane
Winnfield, LA  71483
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Sadie Colwell, Earl Long's Cook, Dies of Attack
(From the September 18, 1958 Winn Parish Enterprise News-American)


Sadie Colwell, Negro housekeeper at Earl Long's Winnfield home, died of a
heart attack last Thursday afternoon.  She had become involved last week in
daily newspaper accounts of the Winn investigations when she told an
Alexandria reporter she did not know Picola Parker, the Governor's cook.

After the published report that the Colwell woman didn't know Picola, who was
reported to be a long-time employee, the Governor phoned the newspapers to say
he had given her instructions on previous occasions not to enter into
discussion with reporters.  He told reporters that Sadie should have said "no
comment" instead of denying knowing Picola.  Sadie confirmed that she had
known Picola for 10 to 12 years.

The following day, she talked to reporters at the Governor's home on Horseshoe
Road.  About two hours later, after going to her home, she fell dead.   Deputy
Coroner Dr. George M. Rodgers said she died of coronary occulsion.  He said
she had complained of indigestion the afternoon of her death.

Dr. Rodgers said there was nothing to indicate any foul play, as rumors
locally had it.  He said he told Sadie's family the could request an autopsy,
but they were not in favor of it, and saw no need of it.

Funeral services for the woman were held on Sunday.

(Submitter's note:  Earl Long was ahead was an early advocate in the
endorsement of black voter participation and in 1958 he and Picola Parker, his
cook, became the center of controversy in Winn Parish when Picola registered
to vote.  Because of statements made to reporters by Ms. Colwell that she did
not know Picola Parker, a huge controversy convened as it was alleged that the
Governor had gotten Picola Parker, assumed not to be a resident of the parish
due to the statement made by Ms. Colwell, registered illegally.   Law suits
were filed, indictments handed down, and Winn Parish once again blast into the
national spotlight. Submitted by Greggory Ellis Davies, born at Winnfield,
Winn Parish, Louisiana in a shotgun house on the old Huey P. Long, Sr.
property within a couple hundred yards from where Earl Long was born.)