Tri-State Beverage Company (1919-1923) 
     R. Walter Long (sometimes erroneously listed as Walker) was the president, and his brother William H. Long was secretary-treasurer of Tri-State Beverages, a subsidiary of the El Paso Brewing Association from 1919 through 1923.  Local liquor dealers had formed the association in 1898 and built a brewery sometime between then and 1903 at the corner of what is now Latta and Fruitas Streets.  The brewery generated 11,000 barrels of "Golden Pride" beer and an uncounted number of bottles of "Southern Bud."  When Prohibition arrived in Texas in 1918, El Paso Brewing Association, like thousands of other brewers and distributors of alcoholic beverages across the United States, found that it catered to a demand that it could no longer legally fill.  In an attempt to remain solvent, the Association bottled soft drinks in the old brewery while moving most of its brewing equipment across the Rio Grande to Ciudad Juárez.  With the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, the El Paso Brewery reopened, but the Tri-State subsidiary faded into oblivion when it was placed into receivership with Fred G. Lemley in 1923.  The firm advertised Triangle Brand soft drinks and Orange Crush beginning on June 1, 1920.  The following year, Bravo and Bock (both near-beers) were briefly advertised in the city directories (Angus & Harris, 144, 146; EPCD 1919-1923; EPH 6/1/1920 4:6).  In addition to Triangle Brand, Tri-State distributed Orange-Crush, Lemon-Crush, and R-Porter, a wine-like strawberry drink. 
 

Figure 12h-1 - El Paso City Directory, 1920	Figure 12h-2 - El Paso City Directory, 1921

     The Long brothers, themselves, were interesting characters.  Ralph Walter Long was one of many individuals around the turn of the century who was initially known by his first name and middle initial but later (after 1909 in Long's case) chose to be recognized by first initial and middle name.  He arrived in El Paso some time prior to 1898 and became a bookkeeper in the Burton-Lingo Company, a job he held until 1908.  He became manager of the firm the following year along with assuming the position of president of "El Paso Brewery Association, Successors."  In 1910, R. Walter had dropped his association with Burton-Lingo but added the presidency of Rio Grande Lumber Company while managing El Paso Sash & Door Company.  The following year, Rio Grande Lumber Company became Long Lumber Company, and R. Walter added the title of general manager of the brewery and manager of Tri-state Beverage Company to his already impressive listing.  Although he dropped his connection with El Paso Sash & Door in 1911, he continued in his other positions until the dissolution of El Paso Brewery Association in 1923 (EPCD 1898-99-1923). 

     William H. Long arrived in El Paso in 1888 and busied himself with the real estate business.  By 1898, he was president and treasurer of the El Paso Abstract & Loan Company and vice president and treasurer of El Paso Cigar Manufacturing Company on South Kansas Street.  He retained his association with both companies until 1903 when he dropped his connection with El Paso Abstract & Loan and became secretary and treasurer of El Paso Cigar.  By the following year, he was proprietor of the El Paso Cigar Manufacturing Company.  In addition, he became a real estate dealer in 1906 but dropped the cigar business in 1909 to become secretary and treasurer for El Paso Brewery Association, Successors.  William remained secretary and treasurer of the brewery until Prohibition finally insured its demise after 1922 and continued, along with R. Walter for another year in Long Lumber.  After 1923, both Longs faded from the record (EPCD 1888-1923).