ustxtxb_obs_1974_03_01_50_00008-00000_000.pdf

Strange place Duval County has been a fiefdom of the Parr family now for three generations, ever since old Archer Parr sided with the Mexicanos in a political dispute and built his power on their votes. The county is most famous for the pistoleros, the armed deputies of the Parr-controlled sheriff, and for the 87-vote majority which it \(and fertile field for the politicking of candidates friendly to the Parrs \(Sen. John Traeger of Seguin recalls that he got exactly 96 votes there in 1972, when he was do not side with the Parrs \(an Observer friend who lives there asked repeatedly not The most recent journalistic look at Duval was provided by Joe Coudert and Spencer Pearson of the Corpus Christi Caller. For five days last November, Caller readers were treated to daily examinations of how it’s done in Duval, including pieces on young Archer’s background, the history of the county, the strange practices of purchasing gasoline from county funds, how county paychecks end up in pockets other than those belonging to the persons to whom the checks are made out, and etc. The most recent opposition to business-as-usual in Duval is the Duval County Taxpayers’ League, an ad hoc organization which sprang up when the county commissioners announced a 300 percent tax increase while such notables as Archer Parr and the county tax collector were on the delinquent tax roll. But most observers expect power in the county to pass to the Carrillo family represented in this generation, by County Commissioner Ramiro Carrillo, former Sen. Oscar Carrillo and Dist. Judge 0. P. Carrillo when the Parrs falter, either by indictment or by natural causes. The Carrillos have been identified with the Parrs ever since Ramiro’s and Oscar’s and 0. P.’s grandfather served as old Archer’s right hand man. Information for Historians, Researchers, Nostalgia Buffs, & Observer Fans Bound Volumes: The 1973 issues of the Texas Observer are now ready. In maroon washable binding, the price is $12. Also available at $12 each year are volumes for the years 1963 through 1972. Cumulative Index: The cloth-bound cumulative edition of the Texas Observer Index covering the years 19541970 may be obtained for $10. Index Supplements: The 1971, 1972, and 1973 paperback supplements are provided at no additional charge to those who purchase the cumulative index at $10. Subscribers who do not want the cumulative index may purchase any of the supplements separately. The cost is 50c for each year. Back Issues: Issues dated January 10, 1963 to the present are available at 50c per issue. Earlier issues are out of stock, but photocopies of articles from issues dated December 13, 1954 through December 27, 1962 will be provided at 50c per article. Microfilm: For price information regarding the microfilm editions of the Texas Observer backfile, please write to Microfilming Corporation of America, 21 Harristown Road, Glen Rock, N.J. 07452. Address your order \(except for Business Office. Texas residents please add the .5% sales tax to your remittance. Materials will be sent postpaid. THE TEXAS OBSERVER 600 W 7 AUSTIN 78701 8 The Texas Observer the court’s receiver, the first time she met him. \(She was under the impression that Davila, in the course of taking possession of one of her five Corpus Christi townhouses, was exceeding his authority and that he and Archer were harming her sister. Her sister was under the same impression: she gave Archer a few pops And all this property that everybody thought was Jody’s kept turning up in the possession of other people. Her sister got the townhouses for $20,000 \(inspiring Davila’s lawyer to ask, “Have you turned any of this over to the receiver?” to which The furniture from the townhouses, along with Jody’s jewelry and furs, were sold for $45,000, but she couldn’t remember who bought them or when the transaction took place. Judge Magus Smith found her in contempt of court and sentenced her to 90 days in jail, but was talked into allowing her time to “purge herself.” He suggested that remembering who bought all that stuff might be a good place to start. Instead, Mrs. Parr filed suit in federal court, seeking a restraining order to keep her out of jail and prevent disposition of any of the Parr’s assets. She claimed that a “multitude of lawsuits” had prevented her from organizing her estate and asked for $4 million dollars in damages from everybody involved. The restraining order was not granted, and claims against all the defendants except Judge Carrillo and Davila were disallowed. Mrs. Parr also filed a bankruptcy petition, seeking yet another freezing of her assets. Judge Smith was not impressed. He upped the sentence to 150 days. Mrs. Parr asked to be held in Nueces County because she “feared for her life” in Duval County. Judge Smith said all right, but Nueces County said no. Archer said he didn’t want her in the Duval County jail and tried to arrange a transfer to Jim Wells County. The Jim Wells County sheriff said that was fine with him, but the Duval County sheriff said he didn’t like the idea unless Mrs. Parr agreed. Mrs. Parr did not agree. George Parr said he and his wife would be glad to put her up. Mrs. Parr demurred. She eventually entered the Duval County jail, where a telegram from U.S. Attorney Anthony Ferris hinted that he was interested in her well-being. About 72 hours later, Mrs. Parr was released on a writ of habeas corpus from the Texas Supreme Court. Three months later, the Supreme Court overturned the contempt citation because Judge Smith had not given notice of his intent to impose an additional 60 days in his sentence. And that’s about the way things stand. Mrs. Parr is still liable for resentencing to the original 90 days. Her appeal of Davila’s appointment was heard in the Fourth Court of Civil Appeals Feb. 13. Judge Smith has set a hearing of the original divorce case for Feb. 18, averring, “I see no reason why we can’t get these people divorced.” No more reason than there was last year. J.F.