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'''Wiley Douglas Fowler, Sr.''', known as '''Doug Fowler''' (November 17, 1906 &ndash; January 29, 1980),<ref>The Social Security Death Index erroneously lists Douglas Fowler's death date as "March 1980", but his tombstone says January 29, and the newspaper article on his death was published on January 31, 1980.</ref> was a [[politician]] from [[rural]] Red River Parish in northwestern [[Louisiana]], a loyal supporter of [[Governor]] [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]], and his state's chief elections officer from 1959, until declining health forced his retirement, effective December 31, 1979. Fowler laid the groundwork for a small-scale family political dynasty in Louisiana. [[Jerry Fowler|Jerry Marston Fowler]] succeeded his father as elections commissioner and served until a scandal caused his defeat at the polls, effective in 2000. And one of Fowler's two brothers, [[H. M. Fowler|Hendrix Marion "Mutt" Fowler]], went into local politics, served as a state representative for fourteen years and ended his public career, also amid a scandal, as the executive director of the Sabine River Authority in Many in Sabine Parish.​

'''Wiley Douglas Fowler Sr.''', known as '''Doug Fowler''' (November 17, 1906 &ndash; January 29, 1980),<ref>The Social Security Death Index erroneously lists Douglas Fowler's death date as "March 1980", but his tombstone says January 29, and the newspaper article on his death was published on January 31, 1980.</ref> was a [[politician]] from [[rural]] Red River Parish in northwestern [[Louisiana]], a loyal supporter of [[Governor]] [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]], and his state's chief elections officer from 1959, until declining health forced his retirement, effective December 31, 1979. Fowler laid the groundwork for a small-scale family political dynasty in Louisiana. [[Jerry Fowler|Jerry Marston Fowler]] succeeded his father as elections commissioner and served until a scandal caused his defeat at the polls, effective in 2000. And one of Fowler's two brothers, [[H. M. Fowler|Hendrix Marion "Mutt" Fowler]], went into local politics, served as a state representative for fourteen years and ended his public career, also amid a scandal, as the executive director of the Sabine River Authority in Many in Sabine Parish.​

​Fowler was a native of Coushatta, of which he was briefly the [[mayor]] from January 2 to June 12, 1953. "Mutt" Fowler succeeded his brother as mayor.​ Fowler was thrice elected a the Red River Parish clerk of court, 1940, 1944, and 1948.

Fowler was a native of Coushatta, of which he was briefly the [[mayor]] from January 2 to June 12, 1953. "Mutt" Fowler succeeded his brother as mayor.​ Fowler was thrice elected a the Red River Parish clerk of court, 1940, 1944, and 1948.

==Running for state auditor, 1952==

==Running for state auditor, 1952==

 

In 1952, Fowler ran unsuccessfully for state auditor on the intra-party [[Governor|gubernatorial]] ticket headed by [[U.S. Representative]] [[Hale Boggs]] of New Orleans.<ref>''Minden Press,'' December 28, 1951, p. 1.</ref> The incumbent L. B. Baynard in turn lost the runoff election to [[Allison Kolb]], the choice of the successful candidate for governor, [[Robert F. Kennon]] of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]].

In 1952, Fowler ran unsuccessfully for state auditor on the intra-party [[Governor|gubernatorial]] ticket headed by [[U.S. Representative]] [[Hale Boggs]] of New Orleans.<ref>''Minden Press,'' December 28, 1951, p. 1.</ref> The incumbent L. B. Baynard in turn lost the runoff election to [[Allison Kolb]], the choice of the successful candidate for governor, [[Robert F. Kennon]] of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]].

In 1956, Fowler, a particular favorite of Earl Long's wife, Blanche Beulah Revere Long (1902-1998), ran again for state auditor but was defeated in the primary by [[Bill Dodd]], who had served as lieutenant governor under Earl Long from 1948 to 1952. Also in that race was the incumbent [[Allison Kolb]], who in 1967 defected to the [[Republican Party]] and ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer on February 6, 1968. The Long faction was divided over whether to back Fowler or Dodd for auditor.​

In 1956, Fowler, a particular favorite of Earl Long's wife, Blanche Beulah Revere Long (1902–1998), ran again for state auditor but was defeated in the primary by [[Bill Dodd]], who had served as lieutenant governor under Earl Long from 1948 to 1952. Also in that race was the incumbent [[Allison Kolb]], who in 1967 defected to the [[Republican Party]] and ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer on February 6, 1968. The Long faction was divided over whether to back Fowler or Dodd for auditor.​

 

Thereafter, Long rewarded Fowler for his loyalty to the Long faction and named him the third appointed "custodian of voting machines." The legislature created the unusual position — the only in the nation — at Long's request as a result of a bitter dispute that the governor was having with Secretary of State Wade Omer Martin, Jr. (1911-1990), whose office then handled elections duties. A political commentator, Alan Ehrenhalt, years later dubbed the "custodianship" as "the most ridiculous elective office in the history of state government."​

Thereafter, Long rewarded Fowler for his loyalty to the Long faction and named him the third appointed "custodian of voting machines." The legislature created the unusual position — the only in the nation — at Long's request as a result of a bitter dispute that the governor was having with Secretary of State Wade Omer Martin Jr. (1911–1990), whose office then handled elections duties. A political commentator, Alan Ehrenhalt, years later dubbed the "custodianship" as "the most ridiculous elective office in the history of state government."​

==Custodian of voting machines==

==Custodian of voting machines==

 

Fowler was appointed by Long as the director of the state Board of Registration, a position earlier held by Long confidant Drayton Rogers Boucher of Springhill, a former member of the state Senate from Bossier and Webster parishes. Fowler's title was changed to "custodian" in 1959, and he ran for the position in the 1959-1960 Democratic primaries. Fowler said that he deserved the appointment because "I worked hard enough for it, and no one deserved it more," and he "beat the bushes" for Long in the 1947-1948 gubernatorial cycle. That year Long defeated his old intra-party rival, former Governor [[Sam Houston Jones]] of [[Lake Charles]]. Fowler, meanwhile, defeated a number of opponents in a close Democratic primary race in 1959.​

Fowler was appointed by Long as the director of the state Board of Registration, a position earlier held by Long confidant Drayton Rogers Boucher of Springhill, a former member of the state Senate from Bossier and Webster parishes. Fowler's title was changed to "custodian" in 1959, and he ran for the position in the 1959-1960 Democratic primaries. Fowler said that he deserved the appointment because "I worked hard enough for it, and no one deserved it more," and he "beat the bushes" for Long in the 1947-1948 gubernatorial cycle. That year Long defeated his old intra-party rival, former Governor [[Sam Houston Jones]] of [[Lake Charles]]. Fowler, meanwhile, defeated a number of opponents in a close Democratic primary race in 1959.​

In the Democratic runoff election held on January 9, 1960, Fowler defeated David Wallace Chennault, Sr. (1923–1980), a native of [[El Paso]], [[Texas]], then living in [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]].<ref name=ssdi>{{cite web|url=http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi|title=Social Security Death Index|publisher=ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com|accessdate=June 6, 2010}}</ref><ref>''Minden Press'', January 11, 1960.</ref> Chennault was the sixth of eight children of [[General]] [[Claire Chennault]] of the [[World War II]] [[Flying Tigers]] and first wife, Nell Thompson Chennault (1893-1977, whom Chennault [[divorce]]d. Chennault ran on the losing intraparty ticket headed by [[Chep Morrison|deLesseps Story "Chep" Morrison, Sr.]], the mayor of New Orleans who ran unsuccessfully for the second of three times in a bid to become governor of Louisiana. Fowler ran on the rival ticket headed by former Governor [[Jimmie Davis]], who staged a comeback for a second term in the office.<ref>"Chep Morrison and Ticket Here Monday", ''Minden Herald,'' September 17, 1959, p. 1.</ref>  

In the Democratic runoff election held on January 9, 1960, Fowler defeated David Wallace Chennault Sr. (1923–1980), a native of [[El Paso]], [[Texas]], then living in [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]].<ref name=ssdi>{{cite web|url=http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi|title=Social Security Death Index|publisher=ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com|accessdate=June 6, 2010}}</ref><ref>''Minden Press'', January 11, 1960.</ref> Chennault was the sixth of eight children of [[General]] [[Claire Chennault]] of the [[World War II]] [[Flying Tigers]] and first wife, Nell Thompson Chennault (1893–1977, whom Chennault [[divorce]]d. Chennault ran on the losing intraparty ticket headed by [[Chep Morrison|deLesseps Story "Chep" Morrison Sr.]], the mayor of New Orleans who ran unsuccessfully for the second of three times in a bid to become governor of Louisiana. Fowler ran on the rival ticket headed by former Governor [[Jimmie Davis]], who staged a comeback for a second term in the office.<ref>"Chep Morrison and Ticket Here Monday", ''Minden Herald,'' September 17, 1959, p. 1.</ref>  

David Chennault died at the age of fifty-six in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], Texas, but he still listed a Monroe address with the [[Social Security Administration]] at the time of his passing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/h/e/b/Brenda-M-Hebert/GENE6-0004.html|title=Ancestors of Claire Lee Chennault|publisher=familytreemaker.genealogy.com|accessdate=June 6, 2010}}</ref>​

David Chennault died at the age of fifty-six in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], Texas, but he still listed a Monroe address with the [[Social Security Administration]] at the time of his passing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/h/e/b/Brenda-M-Hebert/GENE6-0004.html|title=Ancestors of Claire Lee Chennault|publisher=familytreemaker.genealogy.com|accessdate=June 6, 2010}}</ref>​

 

In the [[general election]] held on April 19, 1960, Fowler overwhelmed William C. Porter (1910-1977),<ref name=ssdi/> a Republican railroad claims agent from [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]], 86.8 percent to 13.2 percent. Porter had been an alternate delegate to the 1956 [[Republican National Convention]] in [[San Francisco]],

In the [[general election]] held on April 19, 1960, Fowler overwhelmed William C. Porter (1910–1977),<ref name=ssdi/> a Republican railroad claims agent from [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]], 86.8 percent to 13.2 percent. Porter had been an alternate delegate to the 1956 [[Republican National Convention]] in [[San Francisco]],

[[California]].​

[[California]].​

In 1963 to 1964, Fowler defeated [[Raymond Laborde]], the mayor of Marksville in Avoyelles Parish, and later a state representative from 1972 to 1992, and commissioner of administration in the fourth and final term of Edwin Edwards. An Edwards boyhood friend, Laborde ran on the intra-party ticket headed by Chep Morrison. Laborde argued unsuccessfully at the time for the abolition of Fowler's office. All of the Morrison candidates were defeated.​

In 1963 to 1964, Fowler defeated [[Raymond Laborde]], the mayor of Marksville in Avoyelles Parish, and later a state representative from 1972 to 1992, and commissioner of administration in the fourth and final term of Edwin Edwards. An Edwards boyhood friend, Laborde ran on the intra-party ticket headed by Chep Morrison. Laborde argued unsuccessfully at the time for the abolition of Fowler's office. All of the Morrison candidates were defeated.​

 

Fowler was thereafter easily reelected to his administrative position in 1968, 1972, and 1975.

Fowler was thereafter easily reelected to his administrative position in 1968, 1972, and 1975.

==Later challengers==

==Later challengers==

In 1971, Fowler won Democratic re-nomination over several candidates, including '''Jerome Sauer''', who raised questions about the validity of voting machines in providing an accurate voter count.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' November 6, 1971.</ref> Fowler then faced only his second ever Republican opponent, Edward Wilhelm Christiansen, Jr.

In 1971, Fowler won Democratic re-nomination over several candidates, including '''Jerome Sauer''', who raised questions about the validity of voting machines in providing an accurate voter count.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' November 6, 1971.</ref> Fowler then faced only his second ever Republican opponent, Edward Wilhelm Christiansen Jr.

(1923-2014), a native of [[Savannah]], [[Georgia]], and a retired [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] lieutenant colonel who had volunteered for the [[United States Army]] Air Corps during [[World War II]]. He flew more than twenty missions as a Martin B-26 Marauder pilot in the European Theater of Operations. After the war, Christiansen flew 121 missions as a transport pilot in the [[Berlin Airlift]]. He was thereafter a fighter pilot in Germany. On leaving the military, Christiansen worked in the hotel/tourism business. For twenty years he was a manager and part-owner of the Saint Charles Inn on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://obits.nola.com/obituaries/nola/obituary.aspx?n=edward-wilhelm-christiansen&pid=172301343&fhid=5630#sthash.UufX79qn.dpuf|title=Edward Wilhelm Christiansen, Jr.|publisher=''The New Orleans Times-Picayune''|accessdate=August 31, 2014}}</ref>

(1923–2014), a native of [[Savannah]], [[Georgia]], and a retired [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] lieutenant colonel who had volunteered for the [[United States Army]] Air Corps during [[World War II]]. He flew more than twenty missions as a Martin B-26 Marauder pilot in the European Theater of Operations. After the war, Christiansen flew 121 missions as a transport pilot in the [[Berlin Airlift]]. He was thereafter a fighter pilot in Germany. On leaving the military, Christiansen worked in the hotel/tourism business. For twenty years he was a manager and part-owner of the Saint Charles Inn on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://obits.nola.com/obituaries/nola/obituary.aspx?n=edward-wilhelm-christiansen&pid=172301343&fhid=5630#sthash.UufX79qn.dpuf|title=Edward Wilhelm Christiansen, Jr.|publisher=''The New Orleans Times-Picayune''|accessdate=August 31, 2014}}</ref>

 

Christiansen was also a former [[mathematics]] instructor at [[Tulane University]] in New Orleans. He was a delegate to the 1972 Republican National Convention held in MIami Beach, [[Florida]]. In the campaign against Fowler, Christiansen proposed that modern electronic voting devices be adopted to replace what he called "bulky, heavy, cumbersome, cantankerous" voting machines in use since the administration of Governor [[Robert F. Kennon]]. Voting machines, often called "Shoup machines" for their inventor, Ransom Shoup, were used in some of the more populous parishes, including East Baton Rouge, Caddo, and Calcasieu prior to the Kennon administration, but it was Kennon who pushed for electronic machines in all precincts.​

Christiansen was also a former [[mathematics]] instructor at [[Tulane University]] in New Orleans. He was a delegate to the 1972 Republican National Convention held in MIami Beach, [[Florida]]. In the campaign against Fowler, Christiansen proposed that modern electronic voting devices be adopted to replace what he called "bulky, heavy, cumbersome, cantankerous" voting machines in use since the administration of Governor [[Robert F. Kennon]]. Voting machines, often called "Shoup machines" for their inventor, Ransom Shoup, were used in some of the more populous parishes, including East Baton Rouge, Caddo, and Calcasieu prior to the Kennon administration, but it was Kennon who pushed for electronic machines in all precincts.​

 

Christiansen ran on the Republican slate headed by gubernatorial candidate [[David C. Treen]], then of Jefferson Parish in suburban New Orleans. While Treen obtained 42.8 percent of the vote against Democrat [[Edwin Edwards]], Christiansen polled  only 265,525 votes (25.5 percent). The entrenched Fowler received 721,987 votes (71.7 percent), and the American Party nominee Louis D. Arnaud drew 28,413 votes (2.8 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, February 1, 1972.</ref>

Christiansen ran on the Republican slate headed by gubernatorial candidate [[David C. Treen]], then of Jefferson Parish in suburban New Orleans. While Treen obtained 42.8 percent of the vote against Democrat [[Edwin Edwards]], Christiansen polled  only 265,525 votes (25.5 percent). The entrenched Fowler received 721,987 votes (71.7 percent), and the American Party nominee Louis D. Arnaud drew 28,413 votes (2.8 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, February 1, 1972.</ref>

==Fowler's death==

==Fowler's death==

Fowler died at seventy-three of [[emphysema]] and [[pneumonia]] in the Natchitoches Parish Hospital in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]]. His funeral was held on February 1, 1980, in his home church, First [[United Methodist]] of Coushatta. In addition to Jerry Fowler, Douglas Fowler was also survived by his elder son, Dr. Wiley Douglas Fowler, Jr. (November 15, 1938 &ndash; October 2, 1998), then of [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]], Florida, and since deceased; two brothers, "Mutt" Fowler, then a Coushatta [[insurance]] agent, and John R. Fowler (March 3, 1912 &ndash; May 21, 1990), then a Coushatta drug store owner; two sisters; eight grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, including Katherine Ann "Kathy" Fowler (1946-2006) and H. M. "Buddy" Fowler Jr. of Coushatta.

 

Fowler died at seventy-three of [[emphysema]] and [[pneumonia]] in the Natchitoches Parish Hospital in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]]. His funeral was held on February 1, 1980, in his home church, First [[United Methodist]] of Coushatta. In addition to Jerry Fowler, Douglas Fowler was also survived by his elder son, Dr. Wiley Douglas Fowler Jr. (November 15, 1938 &ndash; October 2, 1998), then of [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]], Florida, and since deceased; two brothers, "Mutt" Fowler, then a Coushatta [[insurance]] agent, and John R. Fowler (March 3, 1912 &ndash; May 21, 1990), then a Coushatta drug store owner; two sisters; eight grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, including Katherine Ann "Kathy" Fowler (1946–2006) and H. M. "Buddy" Fowler Jr. of Coushatta.

Fowler, his wife, and older son are all interred in the family plot at Springville Cemetery in Coushatta.

Fowler, his wife, and older son are all interred in the family plot at Springville Cemetery in Coushatta.

==References==

==References==

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}

 

'''Other sources:'''<br>

'''Other sources:'''<br>

​''The Shreveport Times,'' January 31, 1980.​<br>

''The Shreveport Times,'' January 31, 1980.​<br>

''[[Shreveport Journal]],'' January 22, 1972.​<br>

''[[Shreveport Journal]],'' January 22, 1972.​<br>

[[Bill Dodd|William J. "Bill" Dodd]], ''Peapatch Politics: The Earl Long Era in Louisiana Politics'' (Baton Rouge: Claitor's Publishing, 1990).​

[[Bill Dodd|William J. "Bill" Dodd]], ''Peapatch Politics: The Earl Long Era in Louisiana Politics'' (Baton Rouge: Claitor's Publishing, 1990).​

 

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fowler, Douglas}}​

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fowler, Douglas}}​

[[Category:Louisiana People]]​

[[Category:Louisiana People]]​