October 2001 Cover

illustration for TEXAS MONTHLY by DANIEL ADEL

October 2001

Table of Contents

Features

Psst! Looking to have somebody murdered? You might want to call Gary Johnson, the number one hired killer in Houston. Then again you might not. You see he works for the cops.

How about those Cowboys? Ever since the team's egotistical owner, Jerry Jones, fired coach Jimmy Johnson in a fit of pique, the 'Boys have never been on a slippery slope to perdition. But it's die-hard fans like me who are in hell.

For running back Emmitt Smith, this season could be halo and farewell.

To residents of Presidio and Ojinaga, the international border that separates them had always seemed irrelevant. They crossed it easily, spoke the same language, and considered themselves part of the same community. When Mexican authorities wrongly imprisoned a Texas grocer in April, that relationship changed dramatically—and it hasn't been the same since.

Mexican movies were muy caliente in the middle of the past century, and Harlingen's Rogelio Agrasanchez, Jr. has the posters to prove it.

What tall Texan dated top actress during Hollywood's heyday? Find out the answer-and other Lone Star lore-by taking the penultimate installment of my literacy test.

Republican congressman Ron Paul, of Surfside, believes that much of our federal government should be abolished. He has voted against honoring the likes of Rosa Parks and repeatedly goes against his constituents' interests. He is a contrarian, an outsider, and an ineffectual lawmaker. And he just may be unbeatable.

Columns

Texana

Bob Phillips' passion for small-town oddities makes Texas Country Reporter as irresistible as a bookshop that doubles as a beauty parlor.

Behind the Lines

The need for leadership.

Politics

As Democrats and Republicans prepare for the hand-to-hand combat of 2002, African American and Hispanic candidates are finally on the front lines.

Media

When one of his reporters turned up missing in Mexico, the editor of the San Antonio Express-News took on one of the most important assignments of his life.

Travel

If you want to get into the Halloween spirit, head to South Texas and try to scare up San Patricio's famous ghost.

Music

Twenty years ago the Butthole Surfers—those unspeakably named punk rockers—first turned up their amps in San Antonio. What keeps them going? Chalk it up to, er, clean living.

Art

Frank Reaugh was one of the state's greatest artists. So why does his name draw so many blanks?

Reporter

Reporter

Pamela Colloff gets on the road in search of the Beat Generation's Texas connections.

First Person

Lilly Gonzalez speaks out on Spanglish.

Reporter

Katy Vine gets animated with Richard Linklater.

The Filter

Pat’s Pick

The Thomas Avenue Beverage Company in Dallas is a slam dunk.

Pat’s Pick

Houston's Prego celebrates the great pumpkin.

Miscellany

The Last Roundup

Belching the Lord's Prayer and other fine points of Texas etiquette.

Web Exclusives

Take senior editor Anne Dingus' Web-only exam to test your knowledge of Texas and pop culture.

Senior editor Gary Cartwright talks about the story behind this month's cover story, "The Devil and Mr. Jones."

For the Mid-Cities girls in the country act 3 of Hearts, a national tour is, like, so great.

Don't get caught this season without a recipe for success.

Texas is Mormon country—and it has been for a long time.

A good name means something—especially to football fans.

Relax, unwind, and get comfy in Comfort, Kerrville, and other Hill Country hamlets.

Recipes

This sybaritic salad is one of the Thomas Avenue Beverage Company’s most popular dishes.

Fresh halibut dusted in Parmesan and pumpkin seeds and served with a creamy roasted-corn and shrimp sauce in this recipe from Prego, Houston.

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