C. H. "Sammy" Downs

C. H. "Sammy" Downs

Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
In office 1944–1948 Serving with Carl B. Close John R. Hunter Jr.
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 (1911-10-01)October 1, 1911 Effie, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	May 14, 1985(1985-05-14) (aged 73) Alexandria, Louisiana, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Laura Eskew^[1]
Children	2^[1]
Alma mater	Louisiana Christian University Louisiana State University

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]

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Life and career

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

^ ^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.