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Line 34: − Born in [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]], Batton was the older of two sons of James Bryant Batton (1880-1939) and Nolie K. Batton (1881-1971). Batton graduated in 1929 from Minden High School and for a year thereafter attended Tyler Commercial College in [[Tyler, Texas|Tyler]], [[Texas]].<ref name=candidacystatement>"J. D. Batton Issues Statement Giving Candidacy", ''Minden Herald'', October 24, 1947, pp. 1, 5.</ref>+ − + − + Line 45:
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==Background==
==Background==
Born in [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]], Batton was the older of two sons of James Bryant Batton (1880-1939) and Nolie K. Batton (1881-1971). Batton graduated in 1929 from Minden High School and for a year thereafter attended Tyler Commercial College in [[Tyler, Texas|Tyler]], [[Texas]].<ref name=candidacystatement>"J. D. Batton Issues Statement Giving Candidacy", ''Minden Herald'', October 24, 1947, pp. 1, 5.</ref>
Batton's father, J. B. Batton, a native of [[rural]] Dubberly in south Webster Parish,<ref name=jbbgrave>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/122605540|title=James Bryant Batton|publisher=findagrave.com|accessdate=September 12, 2014}}</ref> was a former Webster Parish deputy sheriff, a two-term Minden police chief,<ref name="Minden Herald 1947, p. 1">''Minden Herald'', October 24, 1947, p. 1.</ref> and an unsuccessful candidate for sheriff in an all-Democratic [[special election]] conducted on June 6, 1933. Held barely a month after a devastating [[tornado]] struck the city on May 1, the election was required to replace Sheriff Arthur Montgomery Hough (1873-1933), who died on May 7 of [[influenza]].<ref>"Parish Pays Final Tribute to Sheriff Hough Monday", ''Minden Signal-Tribune'', May 9, 1933, p. 1.</ref>
Batton's father, J. B. Batton, a native of [[rural]] Dubberly in south Webster Parish,<ref name=jbbgrave>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/122605540|title=James Bryant Batton|publisher=findagrave.com|accessdate=September 12, 2014}}</ref> was a former Webster Parish deputy sheriff, a two-term Minden police chief,<ref name="Minden Herald 1947, p. 1">''Minden Herald'', October 24, 1947, p. 1.</ref> and an unsuccessful candidate for sheriff in an all-Democratic [[special election]] conducted on June 6, 1933. Held barely a month after a devastating [[tornado]] struck the city on May 1, the election was required to replace Sheriff Arthur Montgomery Hough (1873-1933), who died on May 7 of [[influenza]].<ref>"Parish Pays Final Tribute to Sheriff Hough Monday", ''Minden Signal-Tribune'', May 9, 1933, p. 1.</ref>
As the chief deputy under Sheriff Hough, the senior O. H. Haynes won the special election in which 80 percent of registered voters cast ballots. His bare majority, 50.8 percent of the vote, negated the need for a runoff election. The runner-up in the race, with 22.2 percent, was Louie A. Jones (1900-1965),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Jones&GSfn=L&GSmn=A&GSbyrel=all&GSdy=1965&GSdyrel=in&GSst=20&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=118634849&df=all&|title=Louie A. Jones (1900-1965)|publisher=findagrave.com|accessdate=September 12, 2014}}</ref> the assistant superintendent of the Louisiana State Police and personal bodyguard of [[Governor]] [[Huey Long|Huey Pierce Long, Jr.]], and subsequently the warden of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola in West Feliciana Parish. Another candidate, J. D. Huckaby, was the president of the Webster Parish Police Jury. J. Bryant Batton finished last in the race with 7.8 percent of the ballots cast; he won a plurality only in Dubberly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mindenmemories.org/government.htm|title=Echoes of the Past: Sheriff's Race 1933|publisher=''Minden Press-Herald''|author=John A. Agan|accessdate=September 12, 2014}}</ref> Haynes, Sr., held the sheriff's position for nineteen years.<ref name=mindenandperseverance>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=grfQzpojKc4C&pg=PT216&lpg=PT216&dq=J.+D.+Batton&source=bl&ots=4nHeyHMBdu&sig=ff5fMvEbDjxTuYeEMoQGFDR3ADg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=U94EVOecIcjf8AGK3IDgBA&ved=0CDsQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=J.%20D.%20Batton&f=false|title=Minden: Perseverance and Pride|author=John Allison Agan|date=2002|publisher=Arcadia Publishing Company|location=[[Charleston]],[[South Carolina]]|isbn=9781439630532|accessdate=September 1, 2014}}</ref>
As the chief deputy under Sheriff Hough, the senior O. H. Haynes won the special election in which 80 percent of registered voters cast ballots. His bare majority, 50.8 percent of the vote, negated the need for a runoff election. The runner-up in the race, with 22.2 percent, was Louie A. Jones (1900-1965),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Jones&GSfn=L&GSmn=A&GSbyrel=all&GSdy=1965&GSdyrel=in&GSst=20&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=118634849&df=all&|title=Louie A. Jones (1900-1965)|publisher=findagrave.com|accessdate=September 12, 2014}}</ref> the assistant superintendent of the Louisiana State Police and personal bodyguard of [[Governor]] [[Huey Long|Huey Pierce Long, Jr.]], and subsequently the warden of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola in West Feliciana Parish. Another candidate, J. D. Huckaby, was the president of the Webster Parish Police Jury. J. Bryant Batton finished last in the race with 7.8 percent of the ballots cast; he won a plurality only in Dubberly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mindenmemories.org/government.htm|title=Echoes of the Past: Sheriff's Race 1933|publisher=''Minden Press-Herald''|author=John A. Agan|accessdate=September 12, 2014}}</ref> Haynes, Sr., held the sheriff's position for nineteen years.<ref name=mindenandperseverance>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=grfQzpojKc4C&pg=PT216&lpg=PT216&dq=J.+D.+Batton&source=bl&ots=4nHeyHMBdu&sig=ff5fMvEbDjxTuYeEMoQGFDR3ADg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=U94EVOecIcjf8AGK3IDgBA&ved=0CDsQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=J.%20D.%20Batton&f=false|title=Minden: Perseverance and Pride|author=John Allison Agan|date=2002|publisher=Arcadia Publishing Company|location=[[Charleston]],[[South Carolina]]|isbn=9781439630532|accessdate=September 1, 2014}}</ref>
Like his father, J. D. Batton, was the Minden police chief prior to making his own first run for sheriff.<ref name=crhennigan>Teri Herren, "Deputy C. R. Hennigan: 80-years young and still upholding the law", ''Minden Press-Herald', February 5, 1986.</ref> His brother, [[Jack Batton]], was a [[business]]man and rodeo enthusiast who served on the Minden City Council and as [[mayor]] from 1978 to 1982. At times J. D. Batton was in business with his brother.<ref name=candidacystatement/> In January 1948, while his brother was already a city council member, J. D. Batton lost a race for Webster Parish clerk of court to the incumbent Thomas Jenkins "Tom" Campbell (1895–1968). Batton received 3,037 votes to Campbell's 4,528.<ref>''Minden Herald'', January 23, 1948, p. 1.</ref> Campbell was part of a local political family<ref name="Minden Herald 1947, p. 1"/> whose current members include Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Lonnie Campbell, Jr., and the Bossier-Webster District Attorney [[Schuyler Marvin]].
Like his father, J. D. Batton, was the Minden police chief prior to making his own first run for sheriff.<ref name=crhennigan>Teri Herren, "Deputy C. R. Hennigan: 80-years young and still upholding the law", ''Minden Press-Herald', February 5, 1986.</ref> His brother, [[Jack Batton]], was a [[business]]man and rodeo enthusiast who served on the Minden City Council and as [[mayor]] from 1978 to 1982. At times J. D. Batton was in business with his brother.<ref name=candidacystatement/> In January 1948, while his brother was already a city council member, J. D. Batton lost a race for Webster Parish clerk of court to the incumbent Thomas Jenkins "Tom" Campbell (1895–1968). Batton received 3,037 votes to Campbell's 4,528.<ref>''Minden Herald'', January 23, 1948, p. 1.</ref> Campbell was part of a local political family<ref name="Minden Herald 1947, p. 1"/> whose current members include Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Lonnie Campbell, Jr., and the Bossier-Webster District Attorney [[Schuyler Marvin]].
After Batton's defeat for clerk of court, the position of Minden police chief opened when on March 1, 1948, Benjamin Garey Gantt (1890-1948), an [[Alabama]] native<ref>{{cite web|url=http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?gl=ROOT_CATEGORY&rank=1&new=1&so=3&MSAV=1&msT=1&gss=ms_f-2_s&gsfn=Benjamin+Gary&gsln=Gantt&msypn__ftp=Minden%2C+Louisiana&cpxt=0&catBucket=rstp&uidh=upc&cp=0|title=Benjamin Geary Gantt|publisher=search.ancestry.com|accessdate=January 24, 2015}}</ref> who had been the chief since 1944, died suddenly of a heart attack. Gantt had been an unsuccessful candidate for sheriff a few weeks earlier in the race against the senior Haynes. Gantt's widow, whose first name was Clyde (1889-1950), briefly filled the position of police chief pending the election for a full term.<ref>"Chief of Police Appointment Made by Council", ''Minden Press'', March 12, 1948, p. 2.</ref> Not long before his death, Gantt had been one of six [[defendant]]s charged in the lynching at Dorcheat Bayou near Minden of John Jones and Albert Harris, Jr., two [[African-American]]s. The charges against Gantt were dropped because of his cooperation with federal authorities.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_qoLa8ysYUIC&pg=PA114&dq=%22Malcolm+Lafargue%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=KkzeVKeMMcWuyATjyoG4Ag&ved=0CB8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22Malcolm%20Lafargue%22&f=false|title=A More Noble Cause: A.P. Tureaud and the Struggle for Civil Rights in Louisiana|publisher=[[Louisiana State University]] Press|location=[[Baton Rouge]]|page=114|author=Rachel L. Emanuel and Alexander P. Tureaud, Jr.|date=2011|isbn=978-0-8071-3793-2|accessdate=February 13, 2015}}</ref>
After Batton's defeat for clerk of court, the position of Minden police chief opened when on March 1, 1948, Benjamin Garey Gantt (1890-1948), an [[Alabama]] native<ref>{{cite web|url=http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?gl=ROOT_CATEGORY&rank=1&new=1&so=3&MSAV=1&msT=1&gss=ms_f-2_s&gsfn=Benjamin+Gary&gsln=Gantt&msypn__ftp=Minden%2C+Louisiana&cpxt=0&catBucket=rstp&uidh=upc&cp=0|title=Benjamin Geary Gantt|publisher=search.ancestry.com|accessdate=January 24, 2015}}</ref> who had been the chief since 1944, died suddenly of a heart attack. Gantt had been an unsuccessful candidate for sheriff a few weeks earlier in the race against the senior Haynes. Gantt's widow, whose first name was Clyde (1889-1950), briefly filled the position of police chief pending the election for a full term.<ref>"Chief of Police Appointment Made by Council", ''Minden Press'', March 12, 1948, p. 2.</ref> Not long before his death, Gantt had been one of six [[defendant]]s charged in the lynching at Dorcheat Bayou near Minden of John Jones and Albert Harris, Jr., two [[African-American]]s. The charges against Gantt were dropped because of his cooperation with federal authorities.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_qoLa8ysYUIC&pg=PA114&dq=%22Malcolm+Lafargue%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=KkzeVKeMMcWuyATjyoG4Ag&ved=0CB8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22Malcolm%20Lafargue%22&f=false|title=A More Noble Cause: A.P. Tureaud and the Struggle for Civil Rights in Louisiana|publisher=[[Louisiana State University]] Press|location=[[Baton Rouge]]|page=114|author=Rachel L. Emanuel and Alexander P. Tureaud, Jr.|date=2011|isbn=978-0-8071-3793-2|accessdate=February 13, 2015}}</ref>
Batton nearly won the race for police chief in the first primary in a six-candidate field. In runoff balloting, Batton defeated another Democrat, C. M. Ritchie (born c. 1897), a former deputy sheriff and former employee of the since closed Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant, 935 to 632 votes.<ref>"Batton Given High Vote for Police Chief", ''Minden Herald'', May 14, 1948, p. 1.</ref>
Batton nearly won the race for police chief in the first primary in a six-candidate field. In runoff balloting, Batton defeated another Democrat, C. M. Ritchie (born c. 1897), a former deputy sheriff and former employee of the since closed Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant, 935 to 632 votes.<ref>"Batton Given High Vote for Police Chief", ''Minden Herald'', May 14, 1948, p. 1.</ref>
===Webster Parish Sheriff===
===Webster Parish Sheriff===
Police Chief Batton and Sheriff O. H. Haynes, Sr., net in a runoff election held on February 19, 1952. Batton unseated the senior sheriff by 43 votes, 5,444 (50.2 percent) to 5,401 (49.8 percent).<ref>"Batton Elected Sheriff," ''Minden Herald'', February 21, 1952, p. 1.</ref> On January 17, 1956, in conjunction with the successful gubernatorial comeback waged by [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]], Batton thwarted the attempt by former Sheriff Haynes, then sixty-seven, to return to office as well as the candidacy of C. Kelly McWilliams of Sarepta. Batton received 5,254 votes; Haynes, Sr., 3,134, and McWilliams, 1,493.<ref>"Batton Wins in First Primary", ''Minden Herald'', January 19, 1956, p. 1.</ref>
Police Chief Batton and Sheriff O. H. Haynes, Sr., net in a runoff election held on February 19, 1952. Batton unseated the senior sheriff by 43 votes, 5,444 (50.2 percent) to 5,401 (49.8 percent).<ref>"Batton Elected Sheriff," ''Minden Herald'', February 21, 1952, p. 1.</ref> On January 17, 1956, in conjunction with the successful gubernatorial comeback waged by [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]], Batton thwarted the attempt by former Sheriff Haynes, then sixty-seven, to return to office as well as the candidacy of C. Kelly McWilliams of Sarepta. Batton received 5,254 votes; Haynes, Sr., 3,134, and McWilliams, 1,493.<ref>"Batton Wins in First Primary", ''Minden Herald'', January 19, 1956, p. 1.</ref>
Shortly after his first reelection, Batton was named one of seventeen directors of the Webster Parish Citizens' Council, a body which sought to prevent school desegregation. Others in the council were the mortician Ed Kleinegger, Tax Assessor Richard B. Garrison, and the Minden High School principal, [[W. W. Williams, Sr.]].<ref>"Rainach to Speak at Council Meet Tomorrow Night," ''Minden Press,'' April 16, 1956, p. 1.</ref>
Shortly after his first reelection, Batton was named one of seventeen directors of the Webster Parish Citizens' Council, a body which sought to prevent school desegregation. Others in the council were the mortician Ed Kleinegger, Tax Assessor Richard B. Garrison, and the Minden High School principal, [[W. W. Williams, Sr.]].<ref>"Rainach to Speak at Council Meet Tomorrow Night," ''Minden Press,'' April 16, 1956, p. 1.</ref>
====Key deputies====
====Key deputies====
Long-serving deputy Clarence Roland Hennigan (1905-1992),<ref name=hennigangrave>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=20795846|title=Clarence Roland Hennigan|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=September 12, 2014}}</ref> a native of bordering Bienville Parish and the father of the retired professional [[football]] player Charlie Hennigan, joined the sheriff's department under Batton and was still in service at the time of his death<ref name=hennigangrave/> At the time he was the oldest active deputy in the state. Hennigan recalls that in 1952 the department had eight deputies, two per shift. So primitive were communications that the sheriff's telephone was on a pole in front of the current downtown courthouse, which opened in 1953.<ref name=crhennigan/>
Long-serving deputy Clarence Roland Hennigan (1905-1992),<ref name=hennigangrave>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=20795846|title=Clarence Roland Hennigan|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=September 12, 2014}}</ref> a native of bordering Bienville Parish and the father of the retired professional [[football]] player Charlie Hennigan, joined the sheriff's department under Batton and was still in service at the time of his death<ref name=hennigangrave/> At the time he was the oldest active deputy in the state. Hennigan recalls that in 1952 the department had eight deputies, two per shift. So primitive were communications that the sheriff's telephone was on a pole in front of the current downtown courthouse, which opened in 1953.<ref name=crhennigan/>
Another long-serving deputy who began his law-enforcement tenure in the tax-collection division in 1956 under Sheriff Batton was Thomas Cameron "T. C." Bloxom, Jr. (1929-2014), a native of Mansfield in DeSoto Parish. Bloxom continued in the department and was named chief criminal deputy under Sheriffs Haynes, Jr., and then Royce L. "Doc" McMahen, until he resigned in 1982, joined the coroner's office as an investigator,<ref>Marilyn Miller, "T. C. Bloxom Retires from Law Enforcement: Well, I Gave It My Best Shot", ''Minden Press-Herald'', September 6, 1982, p. 1.</ref> and then challenged McMahen unsuccessfully for reelection to a second term as sheriff.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10221983/10221983_60.html|title=Results for Election Date: 10/22/1983: Webster Parish|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=September 13, 2014}}</ref> The Democrat Bloxom ran again for sheriff in 1999, when he polled 45.7 percent of the vote against the incumbent [[Ted Riser]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10231999/10231999_60.html|title=Results for Election Date: 10/23/1999: Webster Parish|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=September 15, 2014}}</ref> McMahen's son, [[Royce Wayne McMahen]] is a [[Republican Party|Republican]] and the current state representative for Webster Parish.
Another long-serving deputy who began his law-enforcement tenure in the tax-collection division in 1956 under Sheriff Batton was Thomas Cameron "T. C." Bloxom, Jr. (1929-2014), a native of Mansfield in DeSoto Parish. Bloxom continued in the department and was named chief criminal deputy under Sheriffs Haynes, Jr., and then Royce L. "Doc" McMahen, until he resigned in 1982, joined the coroner's office as an investigator,<ref>Marilyn Miller, "T. C. Bloxom Retires from Law Enforcement: Well, I Gave It My Best Shot", ''Minden Press-Herald'', September 6, 1982, p. 1.</ref> and then challenged McMahen unsuccessfully for reelection to a second term as sheriff.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10221983/10221983_60.html|title=Results for Election Date: 10/22/1983: Webster Parish|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=September 13, 2014}}</ref> The Democrat Bloxom ran again for sheriff in 1999, when he polled 45.7 percent of the vote against the incumbent [[Ted Riser]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10231999/10231999_60.html|title=Results for Election Date: 10/23/1999: Webster Parish|publisher=staticresults.sos.la.gov|accessdate=September 15, 2014}}</ref> McMahen's son, [[Royce Wayne McMahen]] is a [[Republican Party|Republican]] and the current state representative for Webster Parish.
In 1962, Batton hired as a deputy John T. Kennon, Jr. (1928-2005), a nephew of former Louisiana Governor [[Robert F. Kennon]], a former Minden mayor, district attorney, and circuit court judge.<ref>"Kennon Hired As Sheriff's Deputy Here", ''Minden Herald'', May 17, 1962, p. 1.</ref> John Kennon later served as the Minden city marshal and ran unsuccessfully for sheriff in the 1971 Democratic primary against O. H. Haynes, Jr.
In 1962, Batton hired as a deputy John T. Kennon, Jr. (1928-2005), a nephew of former Louisiana Governor [[Robert F. Kennon]], a former Minden mayor, district attorney, and circuit court judge.<ref>"Kennon Hired As Sheriff's Deputy Here", ''Minden Herald'', May 17, 1962, p. 1.</ref> John Kennon later served as the Minden city marshal and ran unsuccessfully for sheriff in the 1971 Democratic primary against O. H. Haynes, Jr.
====Accomplishments====
====Accomplishments====
Batton listed his principal accomplishments as sheriff: 24-hour patrols, opening a sheriff's sub-station in Springhill, a parish-wide radio communications system, rescue trucks, escorts for funerals and school events, expansion of the criminal investigation office, and the establishment of a juvenile officer position,<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'' (advertisement), October 19, 1967, p. 8.</ref><ref>''Minden Press-Herald'' (advertisement), November 3, 1967, p. 6.</ref> which was proposed to be jointly funded by the sheriff, the cities of Minden and Springhill, and the Webster Parish Police Jury. Willard Harvey McClung (1932-2017) was appointed to the position and sworn into office by 26th Judicial District Judge [[Enos McClendon]].<ref>"Full time juvenile officer sought for Webster Parish", ''Minden Herald'', February 8, 1962, p. 1.</ref> In 1974, McClung ran for mayor of Minden but lost the Democratic nomination to [[J. E. "Pat" Patterson]],<ref>"Pat Patterson is Democrat Mayor Nominee", ''Minden Press-Herald'', August 19, 1974, p. 1.</ref> who then unseated the Republican incumbent, Arthur Thomas "Tom" Colten (1922-2004).
Batton listed his principal accomplishments as sheriff: 24-hour patrols, opening a sheriff's sub-station in Springhill, a parish-wide radio communications system, rescue trucks, escorts for funerals and school events, expansion of the criminal investigation office, and the establishment of a juvenile officer position,<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'' (advertisement), October 19, 1967, p. 8.</ref><ref>''Minden Press-Herald'' (advertisement), November 3, 1967, p. 6.</ref> which was proposed to be jointly funded by the sheriff, the cities of Minden and Springhill, and the Webster Parish Police Jury. Willard Harvey McClung (1932-2017) was appointed to the position and sworn into office by 26th Judicial District Judge [[Enos McClendon]].<ref>"Full time juvenile officer sought for Webster Parish", ''Minden Herald'', February 8, 1962, p. 1.</ref> In 1974, McClung ran for mayor of Minden but lost the Democratic nomination to [[J. E. "Pat" Patterson]],<ref>"Pat Patterson is Democrat Mayor Nominee", ''Minden Press-Herald'', August 19, 1974, p. 1.</ref> who then unseated the Republican incumbent, Arthur Thomas "Tom" Colten (1922-2004).
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 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>
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====
In a field of eight candidates, the junior Haynes emerged as Batton's principal rival in the 1963-1964 primaries. Haynes had once been a deputy under his father's tutelage and thereafter for eight years supervised the state driver's license office with jurisdiction over all of North Louisiana.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N5eVZvsyb00C&pg=PA94&lpg=PA94&dq=J.+D.+Batton+of+Minden,+LA&source=bl&ots=G_xmoAl3pF&sig=gy2tY1NMiqDXK94gKqkvh0XP0hU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=e-YEVPmJG8f28QG5sIDICA&ved=0CF8Q6AEwCg#v=onepage&q=J.%20D.%20Batton%20of%20Minden%2C%20LA&f=false|title=Minden|series=Images of America|author=John A. Agan|date=2000|publisher=Arcadia Publishing Company|location=[[Charleston]], [[South Carolina]]|pages=94|isbn=0-7385-0580-3|accessdate=September 1, 2014}}</ref> He was also the [[Exxon]] distributor in Webster Parish for some four decades. Freddie Lynn "Fred" Haynes (1946-2006), the second of four sons of the junior Haynes, was a [[Louisiana State University]] Tigers football star. Fred Haynes was the winning [[quarterback]] for his Minden High School Crimson Tide team which won the 1963 state championship.<ref name=mindenandperseverance/>
In a field of eight candidates, the junior Haynes emerged as Batton's principal rival in the 1963-1964 primaries. Haynes had once been a deputy under his father's tutelage and thereafter for eight years supervised the state driver's license office with jurisdiction over all of North Louisiana.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N5eVZvsyb00C&pg=PA94&lpg=PA94&dq=J.+D.+Batton+of+Minden,+LA&source=bl&ots=G_xmoAl3pF&sig=gy2tY1NMiqDXK94gKqkvh0XP0hU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=e-YEVPmJG8f28QG5sIDICA&ved=0CF8Q6AEwCg#v=onepage&q=J.%20D.%20Batton%20of%20Minden%2C%20LA&f=false|title=Minden|series=Images of America|author=John A. Agan|date=2000|publisher=Arcadia Publishing Company|location=[[Charleston]], [[South Carolina]]|pages=94|isbn=0-7385-0580-3|accessdate=September 1, 2014}}</ref> He was also the [[Exxon]] distributor in Webster Parish for some four decades. Freddie Lynn "Fred" Haynes (1946-2006), the second of four sons of the junior Haynes, was a [[Louisiana State University]] Tigers football star. Fred Haynes was the winning [[quarterback]] for his Minden High School Crimson Tide team which won the 1963 state championship.<ref name=mindenandperseverance/>
As sheriff, Haynes appointed the first African-American deputy in the 20th century, Louis Dunbar, Sr. (1914-1986),<ref>"Haynes for Sheriff: 1967 Election Guide", ''Minden Press-Herald'', October 30, 1967, p. 8.</ref> whose son "Sweet" Lou Dunbar became, like Haynes' son, a distinguished athlete.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MQelr-MNkA|title=Louis Dunbar|publisher=[[YouTube]]|accessdate=September 1, 2014}}</ref>
As sheriff, Haynes appointed the first African-American deputy in the 20th century, Louis Dunbar, Sr. (1914-1986),<ref>"Haynes for Sheriff: 1967 Election Guide", ''Minden Press-Herald'', October 30, 1967, p. 8.</ref> whose son "Sweet" Lou Dunbar became, like Haynes' son, a distinguished athlete.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MQelr-MNkA|title=Louis Dunbar|publisher=[[YouTube]]|accessdate=September 1, 2014}}</ref>
====The failed comeback attempt====
====The failed comeback attempt====
In November 1967, Haynes scored a second nomination as sheriff by again defeating Batton and another primary rival, Chester J. "Red" Vaughan (1909-1992), a service station operator in Springhill<ref>"'Red' Vaughan One of Three Seeking Parish Sheriff's Post", ''Minden Press-Herald'' 1967 Election Guide, p. 6.</ref> and a former city marshal, who described himself as an "independent" within the Democratic Party and was critical of "political bosses".<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', October 10, 1967, p. 2.</ref> Vaughan also challenged Haynes in regard to unsolved crimes growing in number, such as the theft of cattle and oilfield equipment and the stripping of tires and accessories from automobiles.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'' (advertisement), November 1, 1967, p. 11.</ref>
In November 1967, Haynes scored a second nomination as sheriff by again defeating Batton and another primary rival, Chester J. "Red" Vaughan (1909-1992), a service station operator in Springhill<ref>"'Red' Vaughan One of Three Seeking Parish Sheriff's Post", ''Minden Press-Herald'' 1967 Election Guide, p. 6.</ref> and a former city marshal, who described himself as an "independent" within the Democratic Party and was critical of "political bosses".<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', October 10, 1967, p. 2.</ref> Vaughan also challenged Haynes in regard to unsolved crimes growing in number, such as the theft of cattle and oilfield equipment and the stripping of tires and accessories from automobiles.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'' (advertisement), November 1, 1967, p. 11.</ref>
Haynes prevailed with 6,952 ballots (53.3 percent) to Batton's 5,456 (41.8 percent) and Vaughan's 634 (4.9 percent). Batton won the Minden area by five hundred votes but fell short in the remainder of the parish.<ref>"Haynes Uses Ward 2 Margin for Victory", ''Minden Press-Herald'', November 6, 1967, p. 1.</ref>
Haynes prevailed with 6,952 ballots (53.3 percent) to Batton's 5,456 (41.8 percent) and Vaughan's 634 (4.9 percent). Batton won the Minden area by five hundred votes but fell short in the remainder of the parish.<ref>"Haynes Uses Ward 2 Margin for Victory", ''Minden Press-Herald'', November 6, 1967, p. 1.</ref>
==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Batton was married to the former Maxine Evans (1916–1982). The couple was [[Southern Baptist]] and had three children, Roger Evans Batton (1943–2001), married to the former Frances "Gayle" Barton (1946-2018), a native of Winnsboro in Franklin Parish;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/frances-gayle-batton/|title=Frances "Gayle" Batton obituary|publisher=''The Minden Press-Herald''|date=October 29, 2018|accessdate=October 31, 2018}}</ref> John Willis Batton (born 1947), a businessman from [[Hot Springs, Arkansas|Hot Springs]], [[Arkansas]], and his wife, Judith Yvonne "Judy" Batton (born 1944), and Karen Sue Batton (born 1949) of Heflin in south Webster Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57068303|title=Roger Evans Batton (1943–2001)|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=November 30, 2001|accessdate=September 12, 2014}}</ref>
Batton was married to the former Maxine Evans (1916–1982). The couple was [[Southern Baptist]] and had three children, Roger Evans Batton (1943–2001), married to the former Frances "Gayle" Barton (1946-2018), a native of Winnsboro in Franklin Parish;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press-herald.com/frances-gayle-batton/|title=Frances "Gayle" Batton obituary|publisher=''The Minden Press-Herald''|date=October 29, 2018|accessdate=October 31, 2018}}</ref> John Willis Batton (born 1947), a businessman from [[Hot Springs, Arkansas|Hot Springs]], [[Arkansas]], and his wife, Judith Yvonne "Judy" Batton (born 1944), and Karen Sue Batton (born 1949) of Heflin in south Webster Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57068303|title=Roger Evans Batton (1943–2001)|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=November 30, 2001|accessdate=September 12, 2014}}</ref>
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Batton, J. D.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Batton, J. D.}}
[[Category:Louisiana People]]
[[Category:Louisiana People]]