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Papers of JOHN DOWDY Member of Congress, 1952-1972 Biographical Chronology Collection Statement | Scope and Content | Series Outline | Series Statement | Dowdy Home 1912 - Born February 11 in Waco, McLennan County, Texas - Lived early years in Rusk, Texas 1928 - Graduated from high school in Henderson, Texas 1929-1931 - Attended College of Marshall (now East Texas Baptist University) 1931-1944 - Court reporter and private study of law 1932 - Married Mary Ellen "Sunshine" Fite of Carthage, Texas 1937, December 3 - Daughter Carol Sue born 1940 - Admitted to the bar - Began law practice in Athens, Texas while still Court Reporter 1942, July 3 - Son John, Jr. "Skipper" born 1943, December 6 - Wife died following death of a third child 1945 - Elected District Attorney, 3rd Judicial District of Texas - Served until his election to Congress in 1952 1946 - Married Johnnie Deana "J.D." Riley in August 1952-1972 - Member of Congress for 7th Texas District - Served in 83rd through 92nd Congress Committee assignments: 83rd Congress - Post Office and Civil Service 84th Congress - Post Office and Civil Service, House Administration 85th through 92nd Congresses - Judiciary, District of Columbia Subcommittee 1970, March 31st - Indicted by federal grand jury in Baltimore, MD on charges of conspiracy, perjury, and promoting bribery The circumstances of the case are as follows: 1965, Sept. 22 - Dowdy allegedly accepted a $25,000 bribe to intervene in the federal investigation of Monarch Construction Company of Silver Springs, MD. 1970, April 10 - Dowdy arraigned on the indictment 1971, November 8 - Trial began 1971, December 30 - Convicted on eight counts : two counts of conspiracy, one counts of transporting a bribe over state lines, and five counts of perjury 1972, January 18 - announced retirement from Congress 1973 - Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, VA overturned bribery and conspiracy convictions. Washington Observer and Liberty Lobby contended that Dowdy was the victim of a "vicious frame-up by the Justice Department in collaboration with a clique of housing racketeers. The ulterior motive was to stop Dowdy's subcommittee investigation of housing and Urban Renewal frauds." [Washington Observer, April 15, 1973] 1974, January 28 - began serving six month prison term stemming from his conviction 1974, June - released from prison. Retired to Athens, Texas 1992, May 18 - Wife, J. D. Dowdy died in Athens, Texas, age 85 1995, Dowdy died in Athens, Texas Sources of information concerning Dowdy's indictment: Congress and the Nation, Vol. 3, 1969-1972, Congressional Quarterly Service, 1973 Houston Post, August 18, 1974 Liberty Lobby Newsletter, 1973 Newsweek, April 13, 1970 Time, January 10, 1972 Washington Observer, April 15, 1973