Politics: Huey P. Long, Riley J. Wilson, 1927, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: August 12, 1927 Winnfield News-American

Winn Parish, Home of Two Candidates for Governorship

Huey P. Long & Riley J. Wilson Both Born In Winn Parish

History gives the story of two Kentucky boys, Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson
Davis, who in the very early years of their lives were destined to become
figures in the history of the nation.  Their paths diverging one becoming in
the leader of one section and the other of the other.  In many respects Winn
Parish is in the same position now as Kentucky was then.  Two men, born in
Winn Parish, attended the public schools of the parish and now aspire to the
highest office in the state of Louisiana as opponents.  Like the other story
they knew little or nothing of each other until they reached manhood.  We
speak of Huey P. Long and Riley J. Wilson, two of the gubernatorial candidates
at this time.

'Huey' was born in the town of Winnfield while 'Riley Jo' was born in the
northwest section of the parish and at the time of Huey's birth Riley Jo very
likely had just voted his first time for he was then 22 years old.

After entering their professions they did not remain long in their native
parish but sought fame and fortune elsewhere, but the like all others come
back to their home folks claiming a right to serve them according to their
talents and ability.

In last week's issue we carried Mr. Wilson's picture and this week we show you
Mr. Long.  To the people of Winn Parish we commend both these candidates and
ask that you, as individuals, let your conscience be your guide.

Many who did not already know Riley Wilson have been greatly interested and
attracted to him by the story of his life, which is a record of steady
perseverance and achievement.  He was born on a small farm in Winn Parish in
1871.  Left an orphan at the age of two years, he put himself through school
and became a teacher.  While teaching he read law, was admitted to practice
and served successively as delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1898,
member of the legislature, district attorney, district judge, and
Representative in Congress of the Fifth Louisiana District.  His record has
been one of untiring and unselfish devotion to the public interest, serving
all on an equal basis.

Orphan, farmer boy, working schoolboy, school teacher, editor, law student,
lawyer, member of the Legislature, member Constitutional Convention, district
attorney, district judge, Congressman, and now Governor-to-be of the great
sovereigh State of Louisiana!  That, in the opinion of many, is enough to
arouse popular enthusiasm for this self-made man, and to inspire ambitious
youths with the realization that hard work, perseverance, and integrity of
character wins.

Huey P. Long was born August 30, 1893 on a farm which later became the site
of the town of Winnfield.  The city hall, Baptist Church, railway station, and
other large and modern structures at Winnfield stand on the lands which were a
part of his father's farm.

As a boy he worked on his father's farm and as a hired hand for other farmers
in that section.  He was sent to the common school and later to the modern
high school in Winnfield.

He went to Oklahoma when 18 years of age, arriving in Oklahoma City in
December, 1911.  He searched for employment until he had no money left, and on
the night of January 2, 1912, while the thermometer was at zero, walked from
Oklahoma City down the Santa Fe Railroad tracks and at about 3 o'clock in the
morning arrived at Norman, where the University of Oklahoma is located. 
Stopping there, he secured employment selling groceries, fruits, and produce
on a commission basis, and entered the Oklahoma University, working his way
through, studying law until the summer, when he was employed by the Faultless
Starch Company, Kansas City, Mo., as a salesman with headquarters at Memphis,
Tenn.

While in Memphis at the age of 20 years, he married Miss Rose McConnell of
Shreveport.  He left the employment of the Faultless Starch Company, after two
years service, at the age of 20 years, and moved with his wife to New Orleans,
where he resumed the study of law in Tulane University, and during the time
was chosen to represent one of the Tulane debating teams.  He stood an 
examination in New Orleans and was admitted to the practice of law in May,
1915, at the age of 21 years.

After his admission to the bar Mr. Long decided to locate at his old home town
of Winnfield which had, in the meantime, grown up on the farm of of his father
to a thriving community, with four railroads, two banks, and a population
of nearly 3,000.  In 1915 he engaged in active law practice at Winnfield and
during the same year he took the stump as a speaker for Thomas C. Barrett in
his race for Governor.

Mr. Long was elected Railroad Commissioner in 1918 and then moved to
Shreveport to take up the work of his office and to practice law in the State
and Federal Courts of Louisiana and Arkansas.

In 1921 the Constitutional Convention changed the name of the Railroad
Commission to that of the Public Service Commission.  Mr. Long was reelected
Commissioner in 1924 for a term of six years.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Long, one girl, Rose Long, 10 years
of age, and two borys, Russell and Palmer Reid Long, 9 and 6 years of age
respectively.