Downs, Roy

former general ground foreman of the New Chicago Mine and resided at Picher Oklahoma, 18 years, died late yesterday afternoon in the veterans' hospital at Muskogee Oklahoma, where he was taken Tuesday. His death was attributed to spinal meningitis, non-contagious type, which is believed to have developed from arthritis, from which he had suffered for the last five years. He was 43 years old. Downs worked in the hard rock lead and zinc mines at Picher Oklahoma the greater part of his life. He served in the U.S. Army during the World War and was active in the American Legion, serving one term as commander of the Picher post and also a term as county and district commander of the American Legion. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge. He always took an active part in civic and political life of this community. He was campaign manager for Dr. E. Albert Aisenstadt in 1934 when he ran for lieutenant governor on the Democratic ticket. Later Downs was part owner and manager of the Rexall drug store. He was identified with several other business ventures from time to time. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Ethel Downs; father, Jake Downs of Picher; three brothers, Ray Downs, Haskell Downs and Claud Downs, of Picher, and three sisters, Mrs. Ethel ?? of St. Louis, Mrs. Dolly Latimer of Picher and Mrs. Maude Hawkins of Fairfax Oklahoma. The body was brought back to Picher last night in a Durnil ambulance. Funeral services will beheld at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon at the First Methodist church with the Rev. D. W. Brasher officiating. Military services will be conducted by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Burial will be in G.A.R. cemetery at Miami, by Durnil undertakers.