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

Brann-Davis Shootings

(April 1, 1898)

Photographed by Gregory Walker, June 10, 2015

1. Brann-Davis Shootings Marker

Inscription. The city of Waco in the 1890s divided into two armed camps over the caustic criticisms of William Cowper Brann (1855-1898) in his magazine, "The Iconoclast". A gifted writer, Brann attacked many organizations, especially Baptists and Baylor University. This controversy sparked a duel in 1897 between Judge George Bruce Gerald and James W. Harris. A Baylor partisan, Tom E. Davis, met Brann here, within a half block of the earlier fight, and shot him with a Colt .45 revolver. Brann returned the fire. Both men died the following day from their wounds.

Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 490.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.

Location. 31° 33.422′ N, 97° 7.826′ W. Marker is in Waco, Texas, in McLennan County. It is at the intersection of South 4th St and Franklin Avenue, on the left when traveling west on South 4th St. 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); Gerald-Harris Shooting (about 300 feet away); Alico Building (about

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500 feet away); Waco (about 500 feet away); "The Waco Horror": The Lynching of Jesse Washington (about 600 feet away); Home of Dr. Pepper, the Nation's Oldest Major Soft Drink (about 800 feet away); Cooper Grocery Co. & Delivery Truck (approx. 0.2 miles away); DP Neon Sign & Old AMBC Building (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. Article describes the controversy and the shootings. (Submitted on June 24, 2015, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas.)

Location of Brann-Davis Shootings Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Gregory Walker, June 10, 2015

2. Location of Brann-Davis Shootings Marker

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 1,949 times since then and 123 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.