Fetters Setters ~ Tributes and Memories: 2010

Thursday, September 2, 2010

May 29th, 1990: Letter from Paul Long

Over the years, John received dozens of letters from Paul Long, a tribute to whom is below. This is just one of those letters which portrays the unbridled wit and singular character which was Paul Long's own.

We plan to publish more of these letters, in one format or another, in the future. In the meantime, here is just one, with the typed text and thumbnails below the text of the actual letter.

One of the charming characteristics of Paul Long's letters, for anyone who ever received one, is that he always uses the day of the week he is writing it, and a sort of abbreviated weather condition, rather than the more common date, month and year.

This particular letter is Postmarked May 29th, 1990:

Monday a.m.
Raining

Dear Johny,

Last Friday I believe your letter came at time I had (2) fellows sawing down pine trees, 17 in all was afraid one or two would land on Mobile Home or kennel. The last tree they fell a branch landed on Utility Lines. Cut power all over neighborhood for a couple of miles. The branch went afire hanging on wire. Part fell and landed on some dry brush, set it afire. Firemen called, put it out. Utility Co. fixed wire, tightened lines and things returned to normal. What a day, was so tired did not open mail till next night. Down here with Hugo a fire could set N.C. afire trees are down everywhere you can not get into the woods. They have a plane on hold to carry water to throw on fire. Was I glad when it was over. More so than a dog running up a brood of grouse.

Am glad you liked the pictures when your granddad got together with George Ryman they sure knew how to start the fireworks between Harry Tinker and Elias. Back in those days thats what happened when old rascals got together to talk hunting and dogs. Thought I was in the middle of a cock fight. I would give some thought to what your friend Richard said and agree you should put your name on the dogs you raise.

Late July will be a wonderful time to come down. I always enjoy seeing your setters on birds. They bring back memories of the days when Elias and I trained Ryman dogs for George. I will have plenty of young birds and weather will be ideal to work the dogs.

Right now I am working on pidgeons and teaching whoa. My good friend Jack Stewart from Farwell Mich gave me a Tri-Tronics Bird Releaser. He invented them.

Last week went down to Myrtle Beach S.C. to the Quaker Oats Seminar and met hundreds of my old acquaintances. At the Seminar they honored George Tracy for winning so many trials during 1989. I had a wonderful time. First time I seen the ocean in years. Also the bathing beauties were nice. Take your family there once, they will enjoy it.

I'm glad Bill is coming with you and glad he is feeling better. And lastly for a smile.

Friend to Friend said one to the other. You have a suppository in your ear. Gosh said his friend, I thought it was my hearing aid.

Best

Paul

Click on thumbnails below for full-sized version of actual letter

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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Tribute to Paul Long, Friend and Mentor

by John Fetters
© 2010 Fetters Setters, all rights reserved

Photo to left, Professional
Dog Trainer, Paul Long with
Cage of Training Pigeons

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

VIEWMONT — Charles Paul Long, 87, of the Brian Center and formerly of 3395 Startown Road, died July 25, 2003. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Salem Lutheran Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 8:30 at Warlick Funeral Home. Born in Middlesex County, Mass., he was a professional bird dog trainer. Survivors include a step-daughter, Virginia Adeline Richardson of Lincolnton; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Salem Lutheran Church, 3410 Startown Road, Maiden, NC 28650.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

....

Charles Paul Long, or "Paul" as he was more commonly known in the shooting dog world, first became interested in bird dogs as a young school age boy. He would walk by the kennel of famous dog trainer Elias Vail on his way to and from school. The dogs at the Vail Kennel captured his interest and when Elias Vail noticed Paul hanging around the kennels quite frequently and seeing the young boy had an on-going interest in the dogs, Vail offered Paul a job which entailed cleaning the kennels, feeding and watering, and grooming.

And in the early 1930s, a young fellow who had been Elias Vail's kennel boy refused to let severe physical handicaps dissuade him from becoming a professional bird dog trainer himself.

A great friend to my grandfather and great-grandfather, he became a great friend to me as well as one of my most valued mentors.

Although he did not specialize in any one breed, Paul had much to do in Irish Setter training and was given credit for his involvement in training ninety percent of the successful Irish Setters that came upon the scene during the early 1930s to 1940s.

It was indeed none other than Paul Long who piloted the Irish Setter Sally of Kildare to an unprecented twenty recognized field trial wins between years 1935 and 1941. Sally was owned by Patrick W. Hehir, long time Fish and Game Director of the State of Massachusetts.

Paul Long was legendary ~ a legend in his own time and still yet today ~ another crafty, old-school professional trainer with over forty-five years of dog sense under his hat.

He apprenticed under the likes of Hall of Famer Mike Seminatore, the acclaimed "Dean of New England Bird Dog Trainers," and the renowned gun dog trainer Elias Vail, before aspiring to a stellar career of his own, also writing "Training Pointing Dogs ~ All the Answers to All Your Questions" in 1974 ~ still a valuable and much-referenced source of information to this day.

Paul was associated with the development of a number of all-breed pointing-dog greats, of particular note the Irish Setter Rufus McTybe of Cloister and Ike Jack Kendrick; Britt of Bellows Falls, the first Brittany field champion; and the English Pointer Colonial Lady, depicted in the vintage Coca-Cola Company series of commissioned paintings of the ten greatest pointing dogs of all time.

Pictured above, Paul Long at his dining room table

reviewing rough draft sent to me by Rick Van Etten

for the upcoming April/May 1991

Gun Dog magazine article about my setters

Pictured above, Paul Long with wife, Virginia,

standing in front of numerous photos

of champion Pointers Paul campaigned on the

Field Trial circuit in his long, distinguished career

Pictured above, taking a break from field training,

left to right: Gale Stevens, Paul Long and me.

Photo taken by William L. Fletcher, owner

of Ryman's Allegheny Josh

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