Robert H. Downrnan Jack Hart Again Heads San

Robert H. Downman, nationally prominent lumberman, and for many'years a leading figure in the southern cypress industrv, died at his home in New Orleans, La., Saturday, lune 2. He was 68 years old.

Mr. Downman was born in Warrenton, Virgina, but at the age of 20, he moved to Texas, locating at Bryan, where he engaged in the drug business. In 1881, he moved to Waco, Texas, opening a drug store there, and two years later enterbd the employ of the wholesale firm of J. W. Castles Company. This firm was succeeded by Cameron, Castles & Story, one of the owners being William Cameron, widely known lumberman. He managed the wholesale drug department of this ,firm until 1886 when he joined Behrens & Castle, wholesale druggists.

It was in .1889 that he entered the lumber business, becoming manager of the retail lumber department for Wm. Cameron & Co., at Waco. IIe remained as an active working partner in this firm until 1897. He married Miss Anne Cameron, daughter of Wm. Cameron, and upon the latter's death in 1899, the estate was divided, Mr. Downman and his wife taking ,over the cypress holdings. Under his able management and direction, this developed into one of the greatest lumber properties in the South.

In 190O, Mr. Downman moved to New Orleans where he became one of the foremost leaders in exploiting cypress to the world, his work being directly responsible-for raising the market value of cylress timber and lumber to a point that became the envy of competitive woods.

' In 1913, Mr. Downman was elecied president of the National Lumber Manufacturers Association. He was a leader in the Southern Cypress Manufacturers Association, in which his counsel was always sought and freely given. He was controlling owner of the Bowie Lumber "Cottrpany, Ltd., Bowie,_La, Jeanerette Lumber & Shingle Co., Ltd., Jeanerette, La., .and the Whitecastle Luriber & Shingle Co., Whitecastle, La.: vice-president of the Salkehatchie Cypress Company, Varniville, S. C.; a -di- rector in the Canal National Bank, New Orleans, and several other financial institutions, land and dpvelopment companies.

Mr. Downman was also associated with the lumber industr-v on the Pacific Coast where he was a director in the Clover Valley Lumber Co. and a director in the pacific Spruce Corporation.

Aside from his business interests. Mr. Downman was an active worker in the civic affairs of his city and his country, urging much needed reforms and improvements and lending a han'd in every forward movement.