Wednesday, April 19, 2023
This year is the 30th Anniversary of what is widely known as the “Waco Siege” or the “Waco Massacre,” and it has a Sabine Parish connection.
The Branch Davidians was a religious cult led by David Koresh and headquartered at Mount Carmel Center ranch in the community of Axtell, TX, located 13 miles from Waco. The siege was carried out by the Federal Justice Department, Texas state law enforcement, as well as the U.S. military, from Feb. 28 until April 19, 1993.
A new documentary entitled “Waco” is now available on Netflix, and it has called new attention to the siege. Even today, there are those who are still very critical about the way the Federal Government mis-handled the matter.
The incident began when the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Federal Agency (ATF) attempted a secret raid on the compound in response to reports the Davidians had amassed illegal weapons. The religious group received advance notice of the intended surprise raid a few hours beforehand, but the ATF continued with a huge show of force. An intense gun battle erupted resulting in the death of four government agency personnel and six Branch Davidians. Upon the ATF’s failure to raid the compound, a siege lasting 51 days was initiated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI.)
Eventually the FBI launched an assault and initiated a tear gas attack in an attempt to force the Branch Davidians out of the ranch. Army tanks were brought in to knock holes in the compound buildings. At the end of the attack, a fire engulfed Mount Carmel Center. Who set the blaze – the Branch Davidians or the Federal Government – is still argued. In total, 76 people died in the fire, including Koresh.
Herschel Freeman, widely known as “Many’s Street Preacher,” said early on he felt if he could meet with Koresh he could end the armed standoff with federal authorities. Tedd Dumas and I raised enough money for Herschel to go to Waco, and he caught a Trailways bus out of Many on Monday, April 5, 1993. He arrived to Waco at 10:30 p.m. that night.
Before leaving Many, Herschel said, “I feel led by the Lord to go. I know I can bring an end to this standoff if I can just meet with Koresh.” He said he was going to offer his services because he had heard on television one evening that authorities needed someone who could “talk Bible” with Koresh. Freeman said he was very knowledgeable about the Bible.
Once he got to Waco, he slept in the bus station and then early the next morning he attempted to offer his services to the Sheriff of McLennan County. He did not get to the sheriff, but a chief deputy advised him it was doubtful that he could get within two miles of the compound. The deputy said over 100 people had already come to Waco wanting to talk to Koresh.
The deputy did tell Freeman that Koresh’s two attorneys were staying at the Hilton. After an hour’s walk, he found the Hilton and learned that the attorneys had already checked out. It was back to the bus station.
He then tried to take a taxi to the compound. With this, one problem led to another, and Freeman realized, “I was in a strange town. I had no friends. I was all alone. I was just ready to go home. I wouldn’t have talked to Koresh by that time even if he would have called me at the bus station.”
Later, thinking about why he had come to Waco, he decided to give it one more try. A janitor called a taxi for him. When it arrived, he got in and they set off. The driver told Hershel that the fare would be $25. Freeman only had $21. It was back to the bus station. This time, he climbed on the bus and came back to Many.
Hershel later told some of us that an FBI agent met him at the bus station and told him to go back where he came from – to be out of Waco within 24 hours and to not wander more than a block from the bus station.
He was very dedicated in his work for the Lord in Many. He sat on the street corner across from the Sabine Theater for years yelling the Gospel at passing cars and anyone who walked by and wanted to listen. It irritated him when persons had their windshield wipers on, even when it was raining, and he would yell, “You’re going to hell!” At Christmas, people would bring him presents, and he would stack them on the sidewalk next to where he sat so all who passed could see them.
Hershel worked for me at the Sabine Index for several years as a delivery man. He was dependable and always did a good job.
At the time he went to Waco to try to sort out the disaster, he was not working for me. But when he got back, one day he rode his bicycle up as I was strolling down the sidewalk. He parked it and got off with his staff in his hand. (He carried a staff at that time.) He walked toward me and threw the staff down on the ground between us and said, “You will not deny me or my God any longer.” He then got on his bike and rode off. I never knew what he meant.
I understand Hershel ended up in a nursing home here and died a few years ago.
Thomas “Bo” Stewart, who represents District 1 on the Sabine Parish Police Jury, says he will seek re-election this fall. He is finishing his first term on the Jury.
Bo has the reputation of being the only member of the Jury who follows the directive of the people he serves. In other words, he is a statesman who represents the people.
Word is that he is so powerful in his position, folks can’t even think about running, much less running against him.
He is a long-time friend, and we wish him well.
Jody Cantrell of Marthaville took this picture while coming to work Saturday morning. The unique photo shows a cloud shaped like a mountain, and it looks like the town of Many is seated below. We appreciate very much him sharing the photo with our readers. Jody operates Quality Outdoors of Many at 590 San Antonio and is now selling the heck out of mowers. You can call him at (318) 419-0073 or (318) 256-5556.
Carl Derrick of Bossier City took these pictures of hail in Converse on Saturday. Carl owns Derrick Farms there and is a native of Converse, his father being Coleman Derrick. We also understand there was a lot of hail in the Zwolle area.
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