Extra! Extra! Eyes of the World on Texas: Waco

A graphic of a folded newspaper with the title text of Texas Archival News Vol. 1 Issue 1 All Parts, Texas February 26, 2024 75 cents and the headline text of Extra! Extra! Eyes of the World on Texas


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Waco

The city of Waco will forever be associated with a news story that captured the world’s attention in the spring of 1993. 

On February 28, federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) raided a compound occupied by a religious group of Branch Davidians to execute a search warrant and arrest the group’s leader, David Koresh (aka Vernon Howell) for stockpiling illegal firearms. The stand-off between law enforcement and the Branch Davidians that followed—often referred to as “the siege”—would go on for 51 days and leave numerous people dead.

Attempts to negotiate with Koresh and subsequent strategies to drive him and others out of the compound failed. Although some Davidians were able to leave, many remained. Agents decided to move in on the compound with military-grade tanks and tear gas on April 19. A fire, the origins of which are still disputed, tore through the building. The event, shown on live television and captured in photos and news reports, served as a flashpoint for those who believed the government’s actions were not justified.

An opened book with scans of letters written in cursive on lined paper by David Koresh. Letters, David Koresh. The Tragedy at Waco: New Evidence Examined: Eleventh Report. US Documents, Y1.1/2:SERIAL 14676.

Letters, David Koresh. The Tragedy at Waco: New Evidence Examined: Eleventh Report. US Documents, Y1.1/2:SERIAL 14676. 
Click or tap on image to view larger version.

David Koresh regularly provided the FBI with letters such as these during the standoff. Requests that the letters be published to the general public were denied.
 




Two page spread in Time magazine with the headline of Cult of Death Holed up in a Texas fortress, Koresh and his followers fervently believe he is Christ – and till death do them part. A graphic of inside the compound and a photo of David Koresh looking up at the sky is also included. TIME Vol. 141. Main Collection, 051.05 T482M V. 141 No. 1-13.

TIME Vol. 141. Main Collection, 051.05 T482M V. 141 No. 1-13. Click or tap on image to view larger version.

Branch Davidian leader David Koresh maintained strong control over the Mount Carmel Center ranch during the standoff with law enforcement.
 


 

The front cover of the report, black text on light blue with the seal of the Department of Justice included. Report to the Deputy Attorney General on the Events at Waco, Texas, February 28 to April 19, 1993. U. S. Dept. of Justice, 1993. TSLAC US Documents Collection, J 1.2:W 11. Image 1 Cover.

Report to the Deputy Attorney General on the Events at Waco, Texas, February 28 to April 19, 1993. U. S. Dept. of Justice, 1993. TSLAC US Documents Collection, J 1.2:W 11. Report to the Deputy Attorney General on the Events at Waco, Texas, February 28 to April 19, 1993 Image 1 - CoverClick or tap on link or image to view larger version.

A black and white photo showing the David Koresh compound with cars and buses parked outside of it. Report to the Deputy Attorney General on the Events at Waco, Texas, February 28 to April 19, 1993. U. S. Dept. of Justice, 1993. TSLAC US Documents Collection, J 1.2:W 11.  Image 2 Photo.

Report to the Deputy Attorney General on the Events at Waco, Texas, February 28 to April 19, 1993. U. S. Dept. of Justice, 1993. TSLAC US Documents Collection, J 1.2:W 11.  Report to the Deputy Attorney General on the Events at Waco, Texas, February 28 to April 19, 1993 Image 2 - Photo. Click or tap on link or image to view larger version.
 


 

The cover of a report white text on blue background with the US Treasury Enforcement seal and the date of September 1993 included. Report of the Department of the Treasury on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms investigation of Vernon Wayne Howell also known as David Koresh. TSLAC US Documents Collection, T 70.2:K 84.  Image 1 Cover. A two page spread showing text on page 38 and a photo of the compound on page 39. Report of the Department of the Treasury on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms investigation of Vernon Wayne Howell also known as David Koresh. TSLAC US Documents Collection, T 70.2:K 84.  Image 2 Pages 38-39.

 

Report of the Department of the Treasury on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms investigation of Vernon Wayne Howell also known as David Koresh. TSLAC US Documents Collection, T 70.2:K 84.  Report of the Department of the Treasury on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms investigation of Vernon Wayne Howell also known as David Koresh Image 1 - Cover and Report of the Department of the Treasury on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms investigation of Vernon Wayne Howell also known as David Koresh Image 2 - Pages 38 - 39. Click or tap on links and images to view larger versions.

Images of the Branch Davidian compound in Waco helped to establish the scale and scope of the standoff. 
 


 

The front cover of a hardback book with billowing black smoke in the background and photos shown behind each letter of the word Waco in the title. Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and a Legacy of Rage. Main Collection, 976.4284 G948w. Image 1 Cover.  A two page spread of the book showing photos of a media truck and a photo of a hand painted sheet outside of the compound on the left page, and a photo of David Koresh’s defense attorney and a photo of an army tank crashing into a wall of the compound on the right page. Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and a Legacy of Rage. Main Collection, 976.4284 G948w. Image 2 Two Pages of Photos.

Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and a Legacy of Rage. Main Collection, 976.4284 G948w. IWaco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and a Legacy of Rage Image 1 - Cover and Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and a Legacy of Rage Image 2 - Two Pages of Photos. Click or tap on links and images to view larger versions.


 

The front cover of a hardback book showing the compound on fire with flames and black smoke going up to the sky and the text of Mad Man in Waco The Complete Story of the Davidian Cult, David Koresh, and the Waco Massacre. Mad Man in Waco. Main Collection, 976.4284 B151M. Image 1 Cover.

Mad Man in Waco. Main Collection, 976.4284 B151M. Mad Man in Waco Image 1 - Cover. Click or tap on link or image to view larger version.

A two page spread showing a photo of the compound and a photo of a wounded ATF agent on the left page and a photo of helicopters and a photo of an aerial view of the compound on the right page. Mad Man in Waco. Main Collection, 976.4284 B151M. Image 2 Two Pages of Photos. 

Mad Man in Waco. Main Collection, 976.4284 B151M. Mad Man in Waco Image 2 - Two Pages of Photos Click or tap on link or image to view larger version.
The media coverage of the standoff between the Branch Davidians and law enforcement was unprecedented in its scale. Live coverage provided the American public with regular updates as law enforcement employed a variety of tactics to end the conflict.

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Extra! Extra! Eyes of the World on Texas Exhibit Pages:
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