The Long Family

Submitted by Annette (Carpenter) Womack

Reprinted in the Winn Parish Enterprise-News-American on Wednesday, August 5, 1998 from an article that "first ran September 9, 1938 during Earl's Lieutenant-governorship."

photo of Huey P. Long, Sr. and wife Caledonia Tyson Long, parents of three Louisiana politicians,
Julius T. Long, Huey P. Long, Jr., and Earl K. Long.

"I consider the people of Winn Parish home folks and the people of Louisiana my good neighbors," said Lieutenant Governor Earl K. Long, when interviewed by the Winnfield News-American.

The Lieutenant-Governor was at his home located just a few feet outside the corporate limits of Winnfield, dressed in his work clothes for he had been out on his farm looking after his stock. His father, the late Huey P. Long, Sr. was a farmer and stockman before him, and Earl's inclinations were also in that direction.

Unlike many men in public life, Earl Long avoids wherever possible all publicity and show. He meets the arguments of newspapers representatives by saying, "I believe in being and doing what you are and going to do, which I think speaks louder than anything I could or would say."

Earl Long comes from a family with a long and colorful history. His ancestry dates back to the colonial days. Their valor in war and able leadership in civic and political affairs are a matter of records. When reminded of this noble ancestry, the Lieutenant-Governor smiled and said, "These are the ones we have heard about. I don't know about some of the others 'cause no records was kept."

Louisiana's Lieutenant-Governor is the great-great-grandson of James Long of Baltimore, Maryland, a patriot of Revolutionary War fame. John Long, the father of James Long, saw service in the French and Indian Wars in 1748. Two other colonial ancestors, outstanding officers and statesman and prominent in early affairs of Maryland were Colonel Ninian Beall and Captain Richard Owings. Colonel Beall, an officer in the Scotch-English army raised against Oliver Cromwell, arrived in Maryland in 1658. He was the first elder in the Presbyterian church in American, according to records.

Earl Long is also related to the Wingates of Mississippi and Texas, prominent in the Southern Confederacy. Edward Wingate moved during the period of the Civil War to Texas. There, he became a colorful figure in establishing the Republic of Texas.

On his mother's side, the lieutenant-governor is related to the Tysons, another of the first families of this section. His mother was Miss Caledonia Tyson, considered one of the most beautiful women of her time and a most gracious and charming hostess. After her marriage in 1875 to Huey P. Long, her home was one of the most hospitable in the countryside.

Her children's future was of much concern to her and she took advantage of every opportunity to further her ambitions for them. She encouraged them to attend higher educational institutions. Before her death in 1913 she realized her ambitions as they were all well on their way to becoming outstanding men and women.

Earl Long attended the public schools of Winnfield and in 1926 graduated from Loyola University Law School. Between his public school and university days he was a traveling salesman, and continued this while he studied at both Tulane and Loyola.

His interest in politics was inherited as well as cultivated. The youngest of four brothers, two of whom, Julius and Huey, entered the political arena of their home parish and district early, he had occasion to get a taste of political discussions at home. Julius T. Long, his oldest brother, was elected district attorney in about 1912 and later was a candidate for district judge. Huey P. long, Jr., who later upset every political precedent known in this and many other states, was elected in 1917 as Railroad Commissioner. In 1924, Huey was a strong contender for the office of governor. In 1928 he was elected governor. Earl Long did his part to help his brothers attain these high officers.

He, like his politically-inclined brothers, had his own opinions and frequently disagreed with them, sometimes on minor questions and as often on major issues.

Appointment as inheritance Tax attorney for Orleans Parish in 1928 by his brother, Governor Huey P. Long, was his first service in a political office.

Earl Long, independent and without the support of any political group, was a candidate for Lieutenant-Governor in 1932. Unsuccessful in his almost single-handed fight, the large vote given him in North Louisiana proved that he had a large personal following and indicated his strength as a political figure. This, and the fact that he was the brother of the assassinated Senator Huey P. Long, was taken into account when he was sought by political leaders, friends and supporters to become a candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 1936. He overwhelmingly swept into office in one of the fastest campaigns ever conducted.

Never appearing on the political horizon, but preferring to remain in the background and do her part as the wife and homemaker is Mrs. Long, who before their marriage in 1932 was Miss Blanche Revere of New Orleans. She is her husband's constant companion and despite her quiet and unassuming manner, is the most interested bystander in any audience, small or large.

Lieutenant-Governor Long has five sisters, Mrs. R. W. Davis, of Ruston, Mrs Oliver Cooper, teacher of Art in Louisiana State Normal College at Natchitoches, Mrs. Milton Knott of Many, Miss Callie Long of Tucson, Arizona, and Mrs. Stewart Hunt of Ruston; two brother, Julius T. Long attorney in Shreveport and Dr. George S. Long of Monroe.