Paul N. Cyr
Paul Narcisse Cyr | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Jeanerette, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | August 24, 1946 (aged 67) |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, dentist, banker, geologist |
| Known for | Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana (1928–1931); opposition to Huey Long |
Paul Narcisse Cyr (September 9, 1878 – August 24, 1946), often referred to as the "Wild Bull of Jeanerette", was a multifaceted American figure known for his roles as a politician, dentist, banker, and geologist. He held the position of Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana between 1928 and 1931. Initially a supporter of Governor Huey Long, Cyr later became one of Long’s prominent adversaries. During a political dispute, Cyr also proclaimed himself Governor of Louisiana, although unsuccessfully.
Career
Cyr led both the Louisiana Dental Society and the Louisiana Dental Examining Board as president.[1] He played a foundational role in establishing the First National Bank of Jeanerette,[1][2] and was employed as a geologist for Humble Oil.[3]
Politics
Chosen by Huey Long as his lieutenant governor candidate in the 1928 election,[4] Cyr’s prominence and ability to speak French contributed significantly to winning votes.[5] Their partnership dissolved in 1929 after Cyr opposed Long’s endorsement of the death penalty for Thomas Dreher, a friend of Cyr’s.[4] In March 1930, Cyr publicly accused Long in the state senate of engaging in corrupt practices involving appointments and oil lease dealings.[3]
Whenever Long was absent from Louisiana, Cyr asserted himself as Acting Governor. After Long secured a U.S. Senate seat in 1930, he postponed taking office to prevent Cyr from ascending to governor. On October 14, 1931, Cyr took the oath as Governor in Shreveport. In response, Long mobilized the Louisiana National Guard to protect both the Governor’s mansion and the Capitol building, personally supervising the operation while armed. Cyr was unable to override the Guard’s authority and was denied entry to the Capitol. His legal efforts were dismissed by courts, which ruled that by swearing himself in as Governor, Cyr had vacated his previous offices. Subsequently, Long appointed state senate president Alvin O. King as Lieutenant Governor and successor.[4][6][5][3]
Cyr made another attempt to claim the governorship at Baton Rouge’s Heidelberg Hotel in January 1932 but was removed at Long’s behest. He later withdrew from the 1932 gubernatorial contest supporting Dudley LeBlanc instead and retired from political life to resume his dental practice.[4][5]
Personal life
Born into a French-speaking Catholic household in Jeanerette, Cyr was the son of Joseph C. Cyr and Emilie Julie Hoffherr. He started learning English at age ten.
His education included studies at Chamberlain Hunt Academy in Mississippi, Louisiana State University, and Atlanta Dental College.
On February 6, 1907, Cyr wed Florence Mary McGowen. The couple had four children: two daughters—Marjorie Emily (born 1910) and Emily Julie (born 1912), who later owned Albania Plantation House—and two sons, Louie McGowen (born 1913) and Charles McGowen (born 1915). From 1937 onward, Cyr owned the Steamboat House located in New Iberia.
External links
- State v. Long, Supreme Court of Louisiana, February 12, 1932, 140 So. 13 (La. 1932), The 1932 legal case involving Cyr and Long
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedhair - ↑ Wall, Bennett H.; Rodrigue, John C. (28 January 2014). "The Time of the Kingfish, 1924-1935". Louisiana: A History. John Wiley & Sons. p. 294. ISBN 9781118619292.