H. M. Fowler
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Hendrix Marion "Mutt" Fowler, Sr. (born 1918), is a retired Louisiana politician and businessman who served as mayor of his small town of Coushatta in Red River Parish, as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, and later as the executive director of the Sabine River (port) Authority. Fowler's career ended in indictment and a plea bargain for the circumvention of state bid laws and dissatisfaction over his having allocated scarce public monies on low-priority projects. He eventually served 45 days in the Sabine Parish jail. Fowler was the third member of a family political dynasty that also included two Louisiana elections commissioners, the second of whom was indicted, convicted, and imprisoned for bribery and income tax evasion.
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[edit] The Fowler political dynasty
Fowler was born in Coushatta, a rural community of some 2,200 residents (2000 census) located forty miles south of Shreveport, to a family of two brothers and two sisters. His older brother, Wiley Douglas Fowler, Sr. (born 1906), was elected three times as the Red River Parish clerk of court (1940-1952) and later served two years as Coushatta's mayor (1952-1954). Douglas Fowler was elected as "custodian of voting machines" in the 1959-1960 Louisiana state election cycle and served until December 31, 1979, when ill health forced him to retire. His title had been changed to "elections commissioner" effective with his last term, which began in 1976.
Douglas Fowler was succeeded in the office by his younger son, Jerry Marston Fowler (born 1940), who, like his father, was elected five times. Jerry Fowler lost the jungle primary in November 1999, amid allegations of impropriety which surfaced in the campaign. He was thereafter indicted, convicted, and imprisoned for bribery and income tax evasion in connection with his official duties. Nevertheless, both Fowlers served in the elections position for a combination of just over four decades.
"Mutt" Fowler, the younger of three Fowler brothers, was in the insurance business while his older brother Douglas staked out a political career. In the 1960s, "Mutt" was elected more than a decade after his brother had won the mayor's position. In the 1971-1972 election cycle, "Mutt" was elected to the legislature. He served until April 1, 1986, when he resigned in the middle of his fourth term to become executive director of the Sabine River Authority, a port commission on the Louisiana-Texas border governed by an 11-member board based in Many (pronounced MAN NIE), the seat of Sabine Parish in western Louisiana.
[edit] Fowler's troubles with Sabine Authority
Within two years, the Authority dismissed Fowler from his position amid allegations of hiring friends and relatives, including his son, H.M. "Buddy" Fowler, Jr. (born 1943), also of Coushatta. Fowler was accused of spending the Authority's limited funds on questionable undertaking, instead of needed access roads and boat lanes. He was accused of circumventing state bid laws. The Authority announced on March 10, 1989, that Fowler's two-year contract would not be renewed and that he would be replaced by William Kratz, a then 66-year-old university mathematics instructor. Fowler's salary continued through March 31, when his three-year contract lapsed. Robert Gentry, then chairman of the Sabine River Authority's committee which screened the applications for general manager, said that Fowler had lost the confidence of the board. Mrs. Katherine Fowler became irate over the developments and declared the allegations against her husband "all lies."
Months passed, and an intensive investigation began. In late 1990, the State of Louisiana announced that it would seek indictments against Fowler, his son "Buddy", and Ottis Lewing (born 1935), a Many contractor. Lewing later admitted to bid rigging. "Mutt" Fowler was accused of two counts of forgery and one count of splitting profits, fees, and commissions. "Buddy" Fowler was similarly charged with a single violation of splitting profits, fees, and commissions.
In March 1991, Fowler pleaded not guilty to the charges. In mid-October 1992, he made a plea bargain with the state in exchange for the dropping of the single charge against his son. He faced a maximum $1,000 fine, six months imprisonment, and $5,000 in reimbursement to the Sabine River Authority. Ultimately, Fowler served 90 days, with two years probation, $2,500 in restitution, and 1,000 hours of community service. The 90 days was cut in half because of labor performed while incarcerated.
[edit] Deaths of grandson and daughter
In 2005, H.M. Fowler, III (born 1975), Fowler's grandson and a son of "Buddy" and LaWanna Fowler, was killed in a motorcycle accident. A graduate of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. H.M., III, was at the time of his death the chief of Central Fire and Rescue in Coushatta.
Katherine Ann "Kathy" Fowler (born March 29, 1946), the only daughter of "Mutt" and Katherine Fowler, died on April 24, 2006. She is interred in Springville Cemetery in Coushatta, along with other members of her family.
The Fowlers are Methodists.
| Preceded by John S. Pickett, Jr., (D) |
Louisiana State Representative from District 24 (Red River, De Soto, Bienville, and Sabine parishes)
Hendrix Marion "Mutt" Fowler, Sr., (D) |
Succeeded by Joe R. Salter (D), subsequently House Speaker, 2004- |
[edit] References
Shreveport Times, March 8, 1986; March 10, 31, 1989; May 22, 1990; October 15, 1992
List of Louisiana State Representatives since 1880 (Baton Rouge: Secretary of State)
