Robert Bookman 4700.1189

T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History Collection

ABSTRACT

INTERVIEWEE NAME: Robert Bookman COLLECTION: 4700.1189

IDENTIFICATION: Friend of Gillis and Cathy Long; did gardening for the Long=s and helped Gillis out in other ways.

INTERVIEWER: Gary Huey

PROJECT: Gillis Long Biography

DATES: August 12, 1986 FOCUS DATES: 1950s-1980s

ABSTRACT:

Tape 1736, Side A

Gillis Long would write to Bookman from Washington, D.C. every week; the Longs loved to bake pies; Long was a very helpful person; Bookman spoke to Mrs. Long after her husband's death and told her that Gillis would have wanted for her to continue and to take his place; the first time Bookman met Long, he [Long} was already married; Bookman bought an the Long=s old station wagon; Long had a lot of support from the African-American community; Long was a supporter of civil rights; the community would receive information from Long in Washington, D.C. frequently; Long=s support of civil rights hurt him with many white voters in Alexandria; Bookman believes that some of the main contributions to Louisiana were the organizations he set up; Long was good with legal aid; Cathy Long decided not to run; Cathy had too much to worry about and she had to take care of her father; Bookman used to tell Long that he worked too hard; Long wouldn't take needed vacations; Bookman helped Long with people who wanted Long to help them out; one woman tried to get help even though she had stolen items and didn't have social security, but Bookman prevented her from going any further; Gillis lost race to Speedy in the 1964 election; people would talk badly about Gillis Long and spread rumors; Long=s support of civil rights was used against him in the elections; Bookman did gardening and lawn maintenance for many people at once;

Tape 1736, Side B

Bookman talks about making potato pies for the Longs as Christmas gifts; Bookman raised six children and they now are all settled down in different cities and have children of their own; religion was important for Gillis Long; Long was a Baptist; Bookman thinks Long=s spirituality was reflected in what he did for the public; Bookman talks about his various jobs throughout his life; his first job was killing hogs on a farm; he also worked at a saw mill and as an engineer; he would still be working if it weren't for his arthritis; he has a lot of talent growing flowers;