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Line 72: − ====Reelection by four disputed votes, 1959====+ − + − + +
→Accomplishments
Batton announced a crackdown on obscene telephone calls at a time in which Caller ID was unavailable. "Persons making those calls will be apprehended and brought to trial," Batton promised while he noted a recent six-month jail sentence received by one violator.<ref>"Crackdown promised on obscene calls", ''Minden Press'', July 29, 1963, p. 1.</ref>
Batton announced a crackdown on obscene telephone calls at a time in which Caller ID was unavailable. "Persons making those calls will be apprehended and brought to trial," Batton promised while he noted a recent six-month jail sentence received by one violator.<ref>"Crackdown promised on obscene calls", ''Minden Press'', July 29, 1963, p. 1.</ref>
====Reelection by four disputed votes, 1959====
In the 1959 sheriff's campaign for his third term, Batton pledged to continue "a business-like administration" of the department, to fight juvenile delinquency and to maintain "our southern way of life."<ref>Batton advertisement, ''Minden Press'', November 30, 1959, p. 11.</ref>
In the 1959 sheriff's campaign for his third term, Batton pledged to continue "a business-like administration" of the department, to fight juvenile delinquency and to maintain "our southern way of life."<ref>Batton advertisement, ''Minden Press'', November 30, 1959, p. 11.</ref>
In the 1959 returns, Batton narrowly prevailed over two opponents, businessman Lawrence Harold Gilbert (1911-1995) of Minden and Thomas Guice McGinty (1893-1983) of Sibley, the older brother of the Louisiana [[historian]] Garnie William McGinty (1900-1984). Batton polled 4,211 votes to Gilbert's 4,063. McGinty held the remaining 145 votes cast, three votes more than required to avoid a runoff contest.<ref>"Batton Apparent Winner in Webster Sheriff's Race", ''The Shreveport Times'', December 7, 1959, p. 2-A.</ref> Sixteen absentee ballots from the Minden City Hall precinct which were not available for counting on the night of the election were tossed aside. A recount increased Batton's total to 4,222; Gilbert, 4,065, and McGinty, 148. Batton was four votes, instead of three, ahead of the 4,218 need to win the position outright.<ref>"Batton Increases Majority in Recount", ''Minden Herald'', December 10, 1959, p. 1.</ref>
In the 1959 returns, Batton narrowly prevailed over two opponents, businessman Lawrence Harold Gilbert (1911-1995) of Minden and Thomas Guice McGinty (1893-1983) of Sibley, the older brother of the Louisiana [[historian]] Garnie William McGinty (1900-1984). Batton polled 4,211 votes to Gilbert's 4,063. McGinty held the remaining 145 votes cast, three votes more than required to avoid a runoff contest.<ref>"Batton Apparent Winner in Webster Sheriff's Race", ''The Shreveport Times'', December 7, 1959, p. 2-A.</ref> Sixteen absentee ballots from the Minden City Hall precinct which were not available for counting on the night of the election were tossed aside. A recount increased Batton's total to 4,222; Gilbert, 4,065, and McGinty, 148. Batton was four votes, instead of three, ahead of the 4,218 need to win the position outright.<ref>"Batton Increases Majority in Recount", ''Minden Herald'', December 10, 1959, p. 1.</ref>
Though Gilbert had threatened legal action,<ref>"Batton Declared Winner After 16 Absentee Votes Are Voided; Gilbert Plans Legal Action", ''Minden Press'', December 15, 1959, p. 1.</ref> he soon conceded his narrow loss. According to Gilbert, the attorney that he consulted said that any appeal had to be presented by midnight December 20 but more time was needed to prepare for any challenge which was likely to be successful.<ref>"Sheriff's Race Uncontested; Write-In Candidate Hinted", ''Minden Herald'', December 17, 1959, p. 1.</ref> Gilbert further indicated that any plan for legal action died when the Webster Parish Democratic Executive Committee certified Batton as the party nominee for sheriff.<ref>"Candidate Denies Plan to Contest Close Vote", ''The Shreveport Times'', December 16, 1959, p. 8-A.</ref>
Though Harold Gilbert had threatened legal action,<ref>"Batton Declared Winner After 16 Absentee Votes Are Voided; Gilbert Plans Legal Action", ''Minden Press'', December 15, 1959, p. 1.</ref> he soon conceded his narrow loss. According to Gilbert, the attorney that he consulted said that any appeal had to be presented by midnight December 20 but more time was needed to prepare for any challenge which was likely to be successful.<ref>"Sheriff's Race Uncontested; Write-In Candidate Hinted", ''Minden Herald'', December 17, 1959, p. 1.</ref> Gilbert further indicated that any plan for legal action died when the Webster Parish Democratic Executive Committee certified Batton as the party nominee for sheriff.<ref>"Candidate Denies Plan to Contest Close Vote", ''The Shreveport Times'', December 16, 1959, p. 8-A.</ref>
Batton's salary as sheriff in 1961 was $10,715, or $88,500 in 2019 dollars. Some $104,000 was disbursed for salaries of all the deputies.<ref>"1961 Audit Report Released for Sheriff's Salary Fund", ''Minden Herald,'' June 14, 1962, p. 1.</ref>
Batton's salary as sheriff in 1961 was $10,715, or $88,500 in 2019 dollars. Some $104,000 was disbursed for salaries of all the deputies.<ref>"1961 Audit Report Released for Sheriff's Salary Fund", ''Minden Herald,'' June 14, 1962, p. 1.</ref>
====Defeat in 1964====
====Defeat in 1964====