Clinton Manges
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Clinton Manges | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 22, 1923 Cement, Oklahoma, US |
| Died | September 23, 2010 (aged 87) |
| Resting place | Hahl Memorial Cemetery, Freer, Texas, US |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Opponent | |
| Criminal charges | mail fraud, bribery, conspiracy |
| Criminal penalty | fine
imprisonment |
| Spouse | Ruth Richmond (m. 1946–2010, his death) |
| Children | 4 |
| Military career | |
| Branch | U.S. Coast Guard |
| Rank | Able Seaman |
| Notes | |
Clinton Manges (August 22, 1923 – September 23, 2010) was a controversial oil tycoon in Texas in the 1970s and 1980s.
Manges was born in Cement, Oklahoma. He began to amass his fortune in South Texas in the early 1970s, when he befriended Lloyd M. Bentsen, Sr., the father of U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen, and political boss George Parr, known as the "Duke of Duval." In 1971, Manges bought a 100,000-acre (400 km2) ranch in the county. He was a confidant and close friend of numerous officials, including the late Attorney General Jim Mattox, Garry Mauro and Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock.[2][3][4]
Unlike most of his contemporaries, Manges was an open, unashamed liberal. With his large fortune, Manges was soon one of the most prolific supporters of Democratic candidates in Texas. He would often donate $50,000 or more to various statewide campaigns. In contrast, most other Texas oil barons like Eddie Chiles, Bunker and Lamar Hunt, Clint Murchison, and two-time Governor Bill Clements were extremely conservative and supported Republican candidates. Paul Burka of Texas Monthly wrote of Manges in 1984, "By mastering the mysterious ways of South Texas, Clinton Manges has built an empire, amassed political influence, declared war on the state establishment—and left bitter enemies in his wake."[2]
Manges was born to migrant farm workers in Cement, Oklahoma. He dropped out of grade school to pick cotton. Later, Manges attended high school in Port Aransas and worked as a shrimper. After serving in the Coast Guard in the World War II era, he moved to the Rio Grande Valley. He met Ruth Richmond, daughter of a prosperous local farmer, and fellow employee at the Rio Theatre in Raymondville; they married in 1946. At age 30, Manges suffered from tuberculosis. In the 1960s he worked in a gas station, where he met and impressed Lloyd Bentsen, Sr.; he subsequently represented Bentsen in his real estate dealings.[1][5]
Manges did not smoke or drink. He agreed to pay legal expenses of Duval County District Judge O. P. Carillo in his impeachment trial.[6]
Manges owned the Mongoose bowling alley, and later the Mongoose cotton gin. He experienced financial problems in 1961, did not pay debts, and wrote bad checks to the state of Texas. The Small Business Administration foreclosed on the loan with which he started the ginning business. In 1963, he was indicted for making false statements on the application for that loan. He pleaded guilty in 1965 and paid a fine of $2500.[2]
