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Vol 8, No 109

April 19, 1993

Monday Evening

81 die in Fire at Davidian Compound

Today in Sports
Texan, Ryan strikes out the sides in 9 pitches
NEW YORK NY  (1968)   On this date in 1968, New York Mets rookie pitcher, Nolan Ryan, became the 6th pitcher in National League history to strike out the sides in just 9 pitches. Three batters in the inning came to the plate, and all three were struck out by Ryan, with just three pitches each, the mathematical minimum.
   At just 20 years of age, Nolan Ryan demonstrates that he is one hot picture!   

A Tragic End
WACO (1993)   On this day in 1993, a 51 day standoff with a group of Branch Davidians, led by David Koresh, ended in tragedy, when the wooden compound housing the religious sect was engulfed in flames.
   The Branch Davidians had been accumulating and modify firearms. In addition, Koresh had fathered over 11 children by seven mothers, many of them underage. County law enforcement was unable to control Koresh's firearms activities, so federal agents were brought in resulting in a shootout that killed four ATF agents on Febuary 28th.
   The 51 day standoff ended when a US Army flame thrower tank sprayed gas through holes ripped into the compound. Instead of disabling Koresh, he and at least one other follower dawned masks and started fires throughout the compound, shooting at any officials who attempted a rescue. Winds whipped the flames and in a matter of minutes the wooden buildings were destroyed killing all 81. Of those who died, most of them women and children, several were killed by bullets fired from inside the compound.
   Investigations and Congressional hearings on the tragedy would grip the nation for months and years to follow.

Capitol Desk
West Texas Historical Association formed
ABILENE   (1924)    On this date in 1924 the West Texas Historical Association was formed. It would be headquartered in Abilene.