Waco in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Gerald-Harris Shooting

(November 19, 1897)

Photographed by Gregory Walker, June 10, 2015

1. Gerald-Harris Shooting Marker

Inscription. James W. Harris (1863-1897), editor of Waco's "Times -Herald" and Judge George Bruce Gerald (1836-1914) argued over an article the Judge wrote. It supported William Cowper Brann's controversial magazine, "The Iconoclast", which denounced, among other things, Baptists and Baylor University. After a fist fight which Harris won, the Judge distributed a handbill branding Harris "a liar, coward and cur" and challenged him to a duel. Harris and his brother met Judge Gerald near this intersection in a pistol battle. The Harrises were killed and the Judge wounded. Judge Gerald won reelection in 1900.

Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2171.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 31° 33.47′ N, 97° 7.852′ W. Marker is in Waco, Texas, in McLennan County. It is at the intersection of Austin Avenue and North 4th Street, on the right when traveling south on Austin Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Waco TX 76701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Waco Tornado (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Brann-Davis Shootings (about 300 feet away);

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"The Waco Horror": The Lynching of Jesse Washington (about 400 feet away); Waco (about 400 feet away); Alico Building (about 500 feet away); The Courthouses of McLennan County (about 800 feet away); McLennan County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); The C.C. McCulloch House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waco.

Also see . . . William Cowper Brann article in Handbook of Texas. The article describes the controversy and the shootings. (Submitted on June 24, 2015, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas.)

Gerald-Harris Shooting Marker is near tree, below blue banner in photo. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Gregory Walker, June 10, 2015

2. Gerald-Harris Shooting Marker is near tree, below blue banner in photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2015, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,632 times since then and 97 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 24, 2015, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.