Politics:  Huey P. Long vs. R. W. Oglesby, 1925, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From:  July 31, 1925 Winnfield News-American

Railroad Commissioner Sues Judge R. W. Oglesby For Slander

Huey P. Long Charges Local Attorney Defamed His Character By Intimating He Had
Fixed The Umpire In Order To Win Game In Which He Was Pitching

Railroad Commissioner Huey P. Long, as part of hismany and varied activities,
since arriving in Winnfield last Saturday, set in motion a damage suit for
slander against Judge R. W. Oglesby, who alleges made a statement that he, Huey
P. Long and umpire J. D. Wright had framed a baseball game Tuesday afternoon in
which game Commissioner Long was one of the pitchers.

according to the statement of spectators of the game, Long threw the ball to the
batter which ball passed behind the batter about waist high, just right for a
perfect strike if the batter had been batting left handed and facing the opposite
direction.  There was no speed on the ball, or any others that Long had pitched. 
Judge Oglesby shouted that it was a strike because the batter had plenty of time
to turn around and hit the ball before it reached him.  The umpire called it a
ball.  Judge Oglesby immediately left the stands and shouted back to Long as he
passed through the gate:  "I don't want to see anything crooked, not even a ball
game."

It was said by some that Long wanted to walk the batter and requested the umpire
to call everything pitched to the batter balls fearing the batter wouild knock
a home run.  Long and Wright both joined in the suit each seeking $ 3.25 in
damages for defamation of character.  The suit will be tried August 15 before
Judge John L. Calhoun, Justice of the Peace, unless the plaintiff and defendant
consent to an earlier trial.

Judge Oglesby refused to make any formal statement to reporters in regard to the
coming trial, other than:  "I have no statement to make right now but you boys
will have plenty to report before this thing is over." Judge Oglesby intimated
that the case might reach the United States Supreme court before it is finally
settled.

Long was highly indignant over the remark and as soon as the game was over rushed
up town asking both right and left for Judge Calhoun.

"I was slandered a few minutes ago and I want a justice of the peace," he said. 
Immediately after filing suit, Long left in his car for Shreveport, carrying four
of his witnesses with him.  It is thought that he went to Shreveport to secure
additional legal aid.

"He waited until he was going out at the gate before he made the remark, and he
knew, too, that I could not leave the box while pitching," Long is reported to
have said in regard to the remark made by Judge Oglesby.

Due to the prominence of the men a great deal of interest has been aroused in
Winnfield over the impending suit.