Yes, they did have a crime family in cowboy country. The Dallas crime family was formed in 1921. They were a small group with 25-30 made members. Their major rackets were drugs, prostitution and gambling.

The first boss was Carlo Piranio, a Sicilian mafioso who moved to Dallas in 1920. Carlo died of natural causes in 1930. His younger brother Joseph succeeded him as boss. Joseph Piranio ruled the small family for many years. He was a well connected strip club and bar owner. Joseph shot himself in the head with a handgun October 27, 1956. Joseph Civello took over the family after his death. He was a very close friend of New Orleans family boss Carlos Marcello. Civello was one of many mob leaders busted at the famous Apalachin mob meeting in 1957. He ruled over Dallas until he died of cancer January 17, 1970. Joseph Campisi succeeded him as boss. Him and his brother Sam were the owners of the Egyptian Lounge. It was the first Italian restaurant to open up in Dallas in 1949. Campisi was also a friend of mob associate Jack Ruby. They say Ruby ate at the restaurant the night before the Kennedy assassination. Campisi was arrested once for murder in 1944, but the charges were later dropped. He was connected to Trafficante family bosses Santo Trafficante Jr. and Joseph Loscalzo. In 1989, Campisi was awarded a certificate from the city of Dallas for his outstanding community service. He past away in 1990 from a heart attack after chasing a bus boy out of his restaurant accused of stealing money.

I got all my information from various mafia articles and books, but if you're looking for a source similar to this check out dieland mob at http://members.fortunecity.com/sosdie/mob/family/dallas/dallas.htm

Below is a list of all Dallas family made members. The list is from actual FBI reports and mafia books. It does not include family associates.

1. Carlo Piranio (1921-1930) The first boss of the Dallas Mob.

2. Peter DeLuca (1921-1949) Was considered the first Underboss.

3. Joseph "JT" Piranio (1921-1956) Became the boss after his brother Carlo died in 1930.

4. Philip "Big Phil" Civello (1921-1956) A soldier and the father of Joseph and Charles Civello.

5. Chiro LaBarba (1921-1925) Was the first consigliere.

6. Frank Ianni (1921-1957) Became the consigliere after Chiro LaBarba died in 1925. Was the father of Joseph Ianni.

7. Michael Angelo Genaro (1921-1933) A Dallas family caporegime.

8. Sam Lobello (1921-1966) Was a Dallas family caporegime who owned Lobello's restaurant.

9. Vincent Vallone (1921-1949) Was the caporegime of Houston who was murdered in 1949.

10. Carl LaBarba (1921-1950s) A soldier and the son of Chiro LaBarba.

11. James LaBarba (1925-1950s) A soldier and the son of Chiro LaBarba.

12. Joseph Civello (1940s-1970) Became the boss after Joseph Piranio. Owned Civello's Liquor Store in Dallas.

13. Rosario "Ross" Musso (1928-1966) Became the consigliere after Frank Ianni died in 1957. Was the brother-in-law of Joseph Civello.

14. John Genaro (1933-1954) A soldier and the son of Michael Angelo Genaro.

15. John Ross Patrono (1940s-1973) A Dallas bookmaker and caporegime.

16. Joseph "Papa Joe" Campisi (1940s-1990) Was the last Dallas Mob boss. Owned The Egyptian Lounge with his brother Sam Campisi.

17. Sam Campisi (1952-1970) Was the brother and business partner of Joseph Campisi.

18. Charles Civello (1940s-1970s) Was a soldier and the brother of Joseph Civello.

19. Anthony LaMantia (1930s-1961) A loanshark and soldier in the Houston crew.

20. Philip "Pump" Bosco (1950s-1974) Was considered a soldier.

21. Joseph Ianni (1956-1973) The son of Frank Ianni. Owned Vesuvio's Italian Restaurant and Vick's Life.

22. Charles Satarino (1930s-1959) Became the Underboss after Peter DeLuca died in 1949.

23. Sherman LaBarba (1940s-1980s) Was a soldier and the son of James LaBarba.

24. Ernest LaBarba (1940s-1970s) Was a soldier and the son of James LaBarba.

25. John Dougless "JD" Campisi (1966-1998) Was a soldier and the nephew of Joseph and Sam Campisi.

26. Sam Lobello Jr. (1950s-1980s) Became the owner of Lobello's Restaurant after his father past away.

27. Anthony F. Caterine (1960s-1980s) A known Dallas mafioso who owned The Castaway Club.

28. Nick Cascio (1950s-1981) A Dallas family soldier who was involved in the 1957 murder of Augie Pisano.

29. Carlo "Corky" Campisi (1970s-Present) Was the son of Sam Campisi. Became the owner of The Egyptian after his Uncle Joseph died in 1990.

Nice to know my dad made a list of some kind...maybe could have been another one...Nick Cascio. At least my mother didn't make it here with him :):)

t.

p.s. just curious though...I never heard this story of him being involved in this. He was a safecracker by trade

Even I read in other sources that Nick was an actual member but Ralph Patrono was not listed and was indeed a Dallas soldier. He was the father of John Patrono. I believe he died sometime in the 50's.

This is a great list. I've been researching Dallas 20th Century gambling a little, too. I'd love to look at the books you mentioned, and the FBI files, too. Are they online? If not, could you share with me how to get them? Thanks!

Any relation to Al Cascio? He was my uncle.

Reading this is really sad. I think of my great-grandfather James LaBarba and how according to my grandfather he didn't like the stigma of Italians as mobsters and only helped those who were honest and needed help... and no he didn't whack anyone. He worked the rails coming over from Sicily and had steel blue eyes that would let you know when he wasn't happy. Also this man had 13 kids, 13 kids!!! Where would you find time to get away with being involved in crime when you have that many kids and a full-time produce and wine business. While some of his sons chose questionable pursuits, he was a hard working man till the day he died. This FBI list was a witch hunt and anyone with a vowel on the end of their last name was a target including their kids who were tailed excessively.

Anyone have any pics of Dallas mob members especially Tony Caterine, Joe Ianni, Johnny Patrono, Carlo Piranio, Rosario Maceo???????????

What were the books about Dallas/FW you read?

It probably was not your father or a relation to you then. Either way that's a rather foolish thing to write online about yourself.