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Story
April 16, 1950
Atlanta Daily World
Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia
What is this article about?
In Marietta, Ga., 85-year-old Mrs. Helen Dortch Longstreet, widow of Confederate General James Longstreet, announces her run for Georgia governor, confident she can unseat incumbent Herman Talmadge and serve as the state needs, relying on friends for campaign funds.
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Widow Of Confederate General Announces For Governor's Race
MARIETTA, Ga. - The 85-year-old widow of Confederate General James Longstreet said Saturday she feels it is her duty to run for Governor of Georgia.
Mrs. Helen Dortch Longstreet, who married the aging general when she was a southern belle of 20, today announced her "candidacy" for the post.
Age? That's no problem for the spry, white-haired little woman.
Campaign funds? Well, that's something else, and Mrs. Longstreet thoughtfully observes:
"I'll just have to depend upon my friends to finance the campaign."
She has not formally qualified to enter the race against Gov. Herman Talmadge and ex-acting Gov. M. E. Thompson.
However, the still vigorous Mrs. Longstreet declared,
"It is almost universally conceded that Governor Talmadge cannot be defeated by any one now in the race. But I just feel that an obligation falls squarely on the shoulders of Georgia women to furnish the type of governor the state deserves."
She frankly admitted that she considers herself, "Just the type of woman who could sit in a governor's chair." And, moreover, she's convinced the gentlemen of the modern South willingly would pay deference to a lady governor. She said:
"If I qualify in the race, I believe Governor Talmadge may be gallant enough to step down and concede the election."
(Talmadge was unavailable for comment on this point.)
A portrait of Mrs. Longstreet already adorns the State Capitol. It shows her as a pretty young woman, attired in the style of the gay nineties.
Mrs. Longstreet is still careful about her grooming. She wears simple dresses, but loves large hats. Her loosely curled white hair frames a determined face of a woman who has known the public spotlight.
The wiry little widow was the first woman to hold office in Georgia. She was State Librarian. It required a change in Georgia law to permit the appointment of a woman to the post.
Mrs. Longstreet, still following in the footsteps of the general who turned Republican, admits she is independent of the Democratic Party, or, in her words, "A Liberal
(Continued on page 4 Column 5)
MARIETTA, Ga. - The 85-year-old widow of Confederate General James Longstreet said Saturday she feels it is her duty to run for Governor of Georgia.
Mrs. Helen Dortch Longstreet, who married the aging general when she was a southern belle of 20, today announced her "candidacy" for the post.
Age? That's no problem for the spry, white-haired little woman.
Campaign funds? Well, that's something else, and Mrs. Longstreet thoughtfully observes:
"I'll just have to depend upon my friends to finance the campaign."
She has not formally qualified to enter the race against Gov. Herman Talmadge and ex-acting Gov. M. E. Thompson.
However, the still vigorous Mrs. Longstreet declared,
"It is almost universally conceded that Governor Talmadge cannot be defeated by any one now in the race. But I just feel that an obligation falls squarely on the shoulders of Georgia women to furnish the type of governor the state deserves."
She frankly admitted that she considers herself, "Just the type of woman who could sit in a governor's chair." And, moreover, she's convinced the gentlemen of the modern South willingly would pay deference to a lady governor. She said:
"If I qualify in the race, I believe Governor Talmadge may be gallant enough to step down and concede the election."
(Talmadge was unavailable for comment on this point.)
A portrait of Mrs. Longstreet already adorns the State Capitol. It shows her as a pretty young woman, attired in the style of the gay nineties.
Mrs. Longstreet is still careful about her grooming. She wears simple dresses, but loves large hats. Her loosely curled white hair frames a determined face of a woman who has known the public spotlight.
The wiry little widow was the first woman to hold office in Georgia. She was State Librarian. It required a change in Georgia law to permit the appointment of a woman to the post.
Mrs. Longstreet, still following in the footsteps of the general who turned Republican, admits she is independent of the Democratic Party, or, in her words, "A Liberal
(Continued on page 4 Column 5)
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Historical Event
Personal Triumph
What themes does it cover?
Triumph
Bravery Heroism
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Governor Candidacy
Helen Longstreet
Georgia Politics
Confederate Widow
Women Governor
What entities or persons were involved?
Mrs. Helen Dortch Longstreet
General James Longstreet
Gov. Herman Talmadge
M. E. Thompson
Where did it happen?
Marietta, Ga.; Georgia
Story Details
Key Persons
Mrs. Helen Dortch Longstreet
General James Longstreet
Gov. Herman Talmadge
M. E. Thompson
Location
Marietta, Ga.; Georgia
Story Details
85-year-old widow of Confederate General James Longstreet announces her candidacy for Governor of Georgia, stating it is her duty as a woman to provide the leadership the state deserves, and believing incumbent Gov. Herman Talmadge might concede to her.