HOT DOGS AND BUTTERMILK

Well, let's see now.  It must have been late in 1948, (61 years ago).   "Uncle" Earl Long had just been elected into the Governor's office.  For his inauguration ceremony he chose to use the L. S. U. football  stadium.  He issued an invitation to all the citizens of Louisiana to join him.  He would provide free hot dogs and buttermilk for everyone who attended.

Virginia and I  had just moved into our new house near the campus on Aster Street, which was  in walking distance from the stadium, so we decided to have this "delicacy" for supper that night.  The stadium was filled with all 48,000 seats, and also the entire field was covered with people.

 He gave his inaugural address from a huge platform erected right on the 50 yard line.  As I recall, he was dressed as usual - with suspenders (gallusses, he called them), no coat, and spoke with the casual "north Louisiana" accent (country slow drawl).   Both he and his older brother Huey Long have been described as "eccentric" in some ways.  Later, "Uncle Earl" was to become more "eccentric".

 As we left the stadium for home, we passed by the serving area, and were offered a whole sack full of hot dogs and many small cartons of buttermilk to take home with us.

(WOULD ANYONE LIKE SOME HOT DOGS AND BUTTERMILK?  We still have plenty left over to share!)