Our "Governor Noe" Collection consists of correspondence files,
letters sent/received, personal letters, and writings/correspondence
from KNOE, and more.
Available in Microsoft Excel (.xls)
James A. Noe, a wealthy independent oil man, ran for the State Senate
at the request of Huey Long. He won, became a Long floor leader and was
chosen by his colleagues to be President Pro Tempore of the Senate. In
1936, Governor Allen died in office. Without a Lieutenant Governor to
succeed Allen, Noe became Governor for the five month interim period
before Richard Leche took office.
Noe appointed Huey's widow, Rose McConnell Long, to complete Long's
U. S. Senate term. He completed necessary Federal paperwork to receive
$6 million for state highways and began the process of establishing a
state public welfare office under the national Social Security Act.
Noe later ran for governor twice--in 1940 and in 1959. He was more
successful in his business interests, founding two radio stations and one
television station and promoting the growth of his oil business which
helped support his philanthropy.
His split with Longite Governor Richard Leche paved the way for the "Louisiana
Scandals" which broke the political
grip of the Long faction in Louisiana in 1940.
Noe died in Texas in 1976.