illustration for TEXAS MONTHLY by DANIEL ADEL
October 2001
Table of Contents
Features
Hit ManPsst! 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. The Devil and Mr. JonesHow 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. Angel in the BackfieldFor running back Emmitt Smith, this season could be halo and farewell. A Tale of Two CitiesTo 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. |
Screen GemsMexican movies were muy caliente in the middle of the past century, and Harlingen's Rogelio Agrasanchez, Jr. has the posters to prove it. Tex Education, Part 3What 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. Dr. NoRepublican 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
TexanaLocal HeroBob Phillips' passion for small-town oddities makes Texas Country Reporter as irresistible as a bookshop that doubles as a beauty parlor. PoliticsMinority ReportAs Democrats and Republicans prepare for the hand-to-hand combat of 2002, African American and Hispanic candidates are finally on the front lines. MediaTrue StoryWhen 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. |
TravelBoo!If you want to get into the Halloween spirit, head to South Texas and try to scare up San Patricio's famous ghost. MusicAll Grown UpTwenty years ago the Butthole Surfersthose unspeakably named punk rockersfirst turned up their amps in San Antonio. What keeps them going? Chalk it up to, er, clean living. ArtBest WesternFrank Reaugh was one of the state's greatest artists. So why does his name draw so many blanks? |
Reporter
ReporterLooking for BillPamela Colloff gets on the road in search of the Beat Generation's Texas connections. |
The Filter
Pat’s PickHow About That, Sports Fans?The Thomas Avenue Beverage Company in Dallas is a slam dunk. |
Miscellany
The Last RoundupSocial StudiesBelching the Lord's Prayer and other fine points of Texas etiquette. |
Web Exclusives
Pop QuizTake senior editor Anne Dingus' Web-only exam to test your knowledge of Texas and pop culture. The FanSenior editor Gary Cartwright talks about the story behind this month's cover story, "The Devil and Mr. Jones." Heart BeatFor the Mid-Cities girls in the country act 3 of Hearts, a national tour is, like, so great. Austin EntertainsDon't get caught this season without a recipe for success. |
Texas History 101Texas is Mormon countryand it has been for a long time. Texas TidbitsA good name means somethingespecially to football fans. Happy TrailsRelax, unwind, and get comfy in Comfort, Kerrville, and other Hill Country hamlets. |
Recipes
Grilled Boston Lettuce Salad With Warm Bacon—Blue Cheese DressingThis sybaritic salad is one of the Thomas Avenue Beverage Company’s most popular dishes. |
Pumpkin-Seed-Crusted HalibutFresh halibut dusted in Parmesan and pumpkin seeds and served with a creamy roasted-corn and shrimp sauce in this recipe from Prego, Houston. |




