Friday, July 23, 2021

Remembering the late Gov. Edwin W. Edwards in Sabine Parish

PART I

1968-1975

This is a special posting of Observations today to remember Gov. Edwin Washington Edwards and his connection to Sabine Parish. Our intention was to share everything in one post, but there is so much information we decided to post it over the next several Fridays. So, if you are interested, please remember to read each week.

It was April 19, 1968, and as editor of the Sabine Index, I attended the Louisiana Press Association Convention in New Orleans. Dick Davis of Lecompte and I had been friends since we worked together for Gov. Earl K. Long back in 1960. That night, Dick accompanied 7^th District Congressman Edwin W. Edwards to the Convention where he spoke. Dick introduced me to him at that point in time and we became friends until his death. Our friendship spanned more than 52 years. That’s hard to believe.

After attending the convention, in my next week’s Index column I wrote:  “There is a bright, new smiling face on the Louisiana political horizon. Those who heard him speak were greatly impressed with this straightforward young man. Rep. Edwards is a sensible sort of guy – the kind there’s not many like in Congress today. We think we’ll hear more from him later, and we think it’ll be a good deal for the state of Louisiana.”

On Oct. 30, 1971, the late Neal Thompson brought Edwards to Zwolle to speak. A good little crowd turned out and he promised two things. First, if he was elected, he said he would return to Zwolle and second, if elected, he would try to bring some kind of industry there. He got folks’ attention. And he kept both promises.

Jan. 6, 1972 found Edwards back in Many for a coffee gathering at the Starlite Restaurant, operated by John and Mary Hariel. There were about 30 present. Of Many Mayor Virginia Godfrey, he said, “You’ve got the best-looking Mayor in the state. We’ll work together.” In the Index I wrote, “Wonder what candidate for Governor gave Mayor Godfrey a big kiss on the cheek while visiting in Many? She has refused to wash her face since.” That meeting began a good professional relationship between the Governor and the Mayor.

At the Starlite visit, Judge John S. Pickett Jr. was late coming to the meeting with his secretary Joan Wright. As they entered, Edwards said. “Mr. Pickett, I’m glad you brought your daughter.” At the end of the meeting, Pat Lewing told Edwards if he got elected, maybe he could run for a second term, to which the candidate replied, “Yes, and maybe you’ll be old enough to vote by then.”

The candidate pointed out that he had ties to Sabine Parish as his brother Marion had married the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Luther. Mr. Luther ran a shoe repair shop in Many for years.

Edwards was elected Governor, took office May 9, 1972, and came back to Zwolle on March 13, 1973 to take care of the promise to return that he had made earlier. And return he did to a large, enthusiastic crowd. He first met with elected public officials in the Zwolle gym and that was followed by a public gathering. That night he spoke at the banquet for the Zwolle Jaycees and Jaynes, which were very active groups at the time. Aubrey Gates was president of the Jaycees. Edwards told the Jaynes, “I view Toledo Bend as the greatest single tourist attraction in North Louisiana.” He said his visit to Zwolle fulfilled his promise to return if elected, but did not fulfill his promise to bring in industry.

We should note the Governor always liked to say that Zwolle had the best hot tamales and the prettiest women.

The next day, March 14, 1973, Gov. Edwards was in Many to announce that Garan was bringing a garment plant to town, which would manufacture shirts. A large crowd gathered to hear the announcement at the Chamber of Commerce Office, where Louis Lowrey served as president. On March 15 we ran an editorial in the Index welcoming Garan to town.

In his remarks, Edwards said, “It is good to be back in Virginia City,” which of course was a reference to Mayor Godfrey. She said of him, “You can write him a letter and get an answer. You can pick up the phone and call him. He will even call you on the phone. He called me.” She continued, “He has charm, warmth and friendship.”

We ran an editorial in the March15, 1973 Index saying: “We would like to laude Gov. Edwards for what he has accomplished during his short time in office. It amounts to much and if he continues on this path, we feel he will go down in the annals of Louisiana history as the greatest Governor this state has even seen.”

Gov. Edwards was back in town to speak at the Sabine Chamber of Commerce meeting held at Tom Sawyer Chapel on Merritt Mountain on Nov. 25, 1974. To the delight of the crowd he said, “I am somewhat perplexed being at Tom Sawyer Chapel, which is constructed like a Mississippi River paddle wheeler. There was something about the last fellow who built an ark. He was looking for a flood.” 

He continued, addressing Mayor Godfrey, “Virginia, if you see [Rep. Cliff] Ammons collecting a hen and a rooster, a goose and a gander, etc., be sure to let me know.” He termed her “the prettiest mayor in the state,” adding in his remarks to the crowd, “You are doing the right thing. You elect them young and keep them there.”

The Governor again stated there was much that bound him to Sabine Parish, including the fact that a member of his staff was Doris Cobbs Andries, a native of Many. He also noted that when Chamber President Pete Abington introduced him, that Abington had welcomed him eight times.

Gov. Edwards was back in Sabine Oct. 24, 1975 to keep his second promise to Zwolle, that being bringing in industry. He announced the dedication of Zwolle Rail Car, which is still in operation. While in Zwolle he also visited the Zwolle Training Center for the Sabine Association for Retarded Citizens.

Donna Smith [now Ammons] and I met the Governor at Hart Airport. He invited us to ride to Zwolle with him. We gladly accepted. After the Zwolle events, we returned to Turner’s Restaurant in Many where we had a meal. After the meal, he was headed to Shreveport for more events. He asked if I would allow Donna to go with him. I did. It was an exciting event for her, and she wrote a nice story about it for the next week’s Index.

That’s it for this week. We’ll have more on Edwin Edwards and Sabine Parish next Friday.

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