Crawford Hugh "Sammy" Downs (October 1, 1911 – May 14, 1985) was an American politician. He served as a Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives.[2] Downs also served as a member of the Louisiana State Senate.[3]
C. H. "Sammy" Downs | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives | |
| In office 1944–1948 | |
| Preceded by | T. C. Brister Neil Haven Klock W. H. Smith |
| Succeeded by | T. C. Brister W. George Bowdon Jr. Lawrence T. Fuglaar |
| Member of the Louisiana State Senate | |
| In office 1948–1952 | |
| Preceded by | Grove Stafford |
| Succeeded by | John R. Hunter Jr. |
| In office 1960–1964 | |
| Preceded by | John R. Hunter Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Cecil R. Blair |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Crawford Hugh Downs October 1, 1911 Effie, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | May 14, 1985 (aged 73) Alexandria, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Laura Eskew[1] |
| Children | 2[1] |
| Alma mater | Louisiana Christian University Louisiana State University |
Life and career edit
Davis was born in Effie, Louisiana, the son of Callie McCann and U. T. Downs, a mayor and sheriff. He attended Louisiana Christian University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1932.[1] He then attended Louisiana State University, where he earned his law and master's degree.[1] Downs taught athletics at the Glenmora High School, and was the head teacher at the Cheneyville High School.[1]
In 1944, Downs was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives, serving until 1948.[2] In that year, Downs was elected to the Louisiana State Senate,[3] succeeding Grove Stafford.[3] In 1952, Downs was succeeded by John R. Hunter Jr.[3] He then succeeded Hunter in 1956.[3] Downs was succeeded by Cecil R. Blair in 1960.[3] He was later the executive counsel for the 49th Governor of Louisiana, John McKeithen.[1] Downs was the chairperson of the Louisiana Democratic Party. In 1964 was one of the master of ceremonies at John McKeithen's inauguration.[4]
According to Life magazine, McKeithen described Downs as "the only Mafia link I know of in my administration".[5] Davis was involved in 1973 in a case involving the Shoup Voting Machine Corporation which resulted in a hung jury.[6][7]
Downs died in May 1985 at the Rapides General Hospital in Alexandria, Louisiana, at the age of 73.[1] He was buried in Greenwood Memorial Park.[8]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g "Ex-Lawmaker 'Sammy' Downs Dies", The Town Talk, May 15, 1985
- ^ a b "Membership In The Louisiana House Of Representatives 1812 - 2012" (PDF). David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 31, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2022 – via Wayback Machine.
- ^ a b c d e f McEnany, Arthur (January 2008). "Membership in the Louisiana Senate: 1880 - Present" (PDF). Louisiana State Senate. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 25, 2015. Retrieved September 13, 2022 – via Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Inauguration Plans Revealed". Judge Edmund M. Reggie Family Archives. April 9, 1964. p. 29. Archived from the original on December 14, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2022 – via Wayback Machine.
- ^ Life Magazine (Vol. 68, No. 13), p. 53
- ^ "Gallinghouse's Goal--Fill Void, Clean Up State" (PDF). New Orleans States-Item. Associated Press. April 28, 1972. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 13, 2022 – via Wayback Machine.
- ^ Lynch, Bill (October 2, 1973). "Garrison case subdues prosecutors" (PDF). New Orleans States-Item. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 23, 2015. Retrieved September 13, 2022 – via Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Funerals". The Town Talk. Alexandria, Louisiana. May 16, 1985. p. 48. Retrieved September 13, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
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