Changes

George B. Parr, the Democratic boss of Duval County, Texas ruled three counties in southeast Texas — Duval, Jim Wells, and Zapata. This oil-rich brush country was an area inhabited largely by Mexican-Americans. Parr paid their poll taxes, got them jobs, was generous with gifts to their sick and needy, and used them to vote. Parr collected payoffs from construction companies doing business in his area, brothels, moonshine and gambling businesses. In 1936, he went to prison for income tax evasion.

George B. Parr, the Democratic boss of Duval County, Texas ruled three counties in southeast Texas — Duval, Jim Wells, and Zapata. This oil-rich brush country was an area inhabited largely by Mexican-Americans. Parr paid their poll taxes, got them jobs, was generous with gifts to their sick and needy, and used them to vote. Parr collected payoffs from construction companies doing business in his area, brothels, moonshine and gambling businesses. In 1936, he went to prison for income tax evasion.

Parr, who appeared in public surrounded by tough looking goons. It literally was suicide to oppose him. ''The New York Times'' reported, “Only Federal agents and Texas rangers ever successfully questioned his authority. Others who did took their lives in their hands. At least two men were shot to death by deputy sheriffs loyal to Parr.” Other brutal deaths were associated with him.

Parr only appeared in public surrounded by tough looking goons. It literally was suicide to oppose him. ''The New York Times'' reported, “Only Federal agents and Texas rangers ever successfully questioned his authority. Others who did took their lives in their hands. At least two men were shot to death by deputy sheriffs loyal to Parr.” Other brutal deaths were associated with him.

Parr favored Johnson in the 1948 runoff. Days after the polls had closed, a “correction” of the vote came in from Precinct 13 in the hamlet of Alice in Jim Wells County on the Mexican border. The “correction” gave Johnson 202 votes which local election officials claimed they had somehow previously overlooked. But it was enough to give Johnson the Democratic nomination by eighty-seven votes.

Parr favored Johnson in the 1948 runoff. Days after the polls had closed, a “correction” of the vote came in from Precinct 13 in the hamlet of Alice in Jim Wells County on the Mexican border. The “correction” gave Johnson 202 votes which local election officials claimed they had somehow previously overlooked. But it was enough to give Johnson the Democratic nomination by eighty-seven votes.