August 2006
Table of Contents
Features
96 MinutesAt 11:48 a.m. on August 1, 1966, Charles Whitman began firing his rifle from the top of the University of Texas Tower at anyone and everyone in his sights. At 1:24 p.m., he was gunned down himself. The lives of the people who witnessed the sniper’s spree firsthand would never be the same again. The Bad Guy With the BadgeHow Conrado Cantu, the sheriff of Cameron County, lived down to people’s expectations of South Texas law enforcement. Light in the DarknessThe title of James Evans’s new series of Big Bend photographs is “The Camera Never Sleeps.” It doesn’t matter, apparently, that the photographer does. |
American IdolAlthough many people haven’t heard of him, Bishop T.D. Jakes is one of the most famous—and richest— preachers in the country. Whence cometh this man? Free for AllEighty-five incredibly fun things, from movies to museums, that won’t cost you a red cent. My Name Is Tonnyre Thomas JoeAnd I am a woman rancher. Here’s what my life is like. |
Columns
Michael EnnisMy Father’s WarWhat I learned about Iraq from World War II—and what all the president’s men could learn. |
Karen OlssonThe Old College TryThe mayor of El Cenizo is 23, is still in school, and lives with his mother. But he’s serious about making life better in his impoverished border hometown. |
Reporter
Faith BasesHighland Park United Methodist Church, DallasWilliam Martin reviews our places of worship. |
The Filter
Pat’s PickShinsei |
Miscellany
Roar of the CrowdWater Log |
Editor’s LetterChange, Pardners |
Web Exclusives
The Deadly TowerSenior editor Pamela Colloff talks about tracking down eyewitnesses and listening to their accounts of Charles Whitman’s shooting spree from atop the University of Texas Tower. Down and OutWriter-at-large Cecilia Ballí talks about former Cameron county sheriff Conrado Cantu. Free and EasyWriter-at-large Suzy Banks on thinking about fun things to do for free. A Life’s CallingWriter-at-large William Martin on writing about T.D. Jakes, one of the nation’s most famous ministers. |
Texas TidbitsThe element most conspicuously absent from our tour of the University of Texas Tower was any mention of sniper Charles Whitman. Happy TrailsFor most of my life as a provincial San Antonian, I had often heard about this wondrous place in Austin called Barton Springs. Texas History 101Today, the McDonald Observatory considers catering to star-savvy folks serious business. |
