The Ashes of Waco

Audio Files

All the audio files currently in the digital collection now play directly in the window, thanks to Todd Peters, who embedded the audio player, and Alan Schaefer, who moved the audio files and updated the metadata. 

This works a little differently than the streaming video, which relies on whatever media player you have on your hard drive to play. But both the audio and video files work similarly now, and much more conveniently by not downloading to your hard drive before playing. You can play the file immediately, read the metadata as you watch/listen, and skip around the file at will.

So, we currently have the following audio files available online. Hold your mouse over the link for a brief description, and click on the link to go directly to the record.

• Songs to Grandpa - Side A
• Songs To Grandpa - Side B 
• Root of Jesse  
• Radio Sermon     
• Negotiation Excerpts   
• NPR Report  
• NPR Interview - Side A 
• NPR Interview - Side B 
• Telephone Conversation   
• Kevin Whitecliff Interview
• Brad Branch Interview
• Dr. Phillip Arnold and Dr. Jim Tabor Interview
• Dr. Phillip Arnold Interview   
• Home-Recorded Music   
• Sermon
• Home-Recorded Music
• BATF Recording   
• Loudspeaker Instructions 
• Loudspeaker Instructions 
• 911 Call   
• Feb. 28 Negotiations 
• 1995 Memorial Service - Clive Doyle 
• 1995 Memorial Service - Dick Reavis   
• Dick Reavis Speaking about The Ashes of Waco - Side A
• Dick Reavis Speaking about The Ashes of Waco - Side B
• March 3 Negotiations 

As I have help, more audio (and video) files will be added to the digital collection, and I will keep the blog informed when new files are added. However, I may be shifting my focus for the next two months or so, to other aspects of the project, or to other projects altogether.

Negotiation Transcripts

Arguably the biggest informational treasures in the Dick J. Reavis Papers is the collection of negotiation transcripts. From the first 911 call made by Branch Davidian Wayne Martin during the height of the Feb. 28 shootout, to FBI negotiator Byron Sage's loudspeaker instructions during the fiery chaos of April 19, the drama is captured in these transcribed conversations between the adversaries.

I believe we have the full set of transcripts, which were procured by Reavis during his investigation from defense attorneys. Technically one can get them from the FBI with a Freedom of Information Act request, but from what I hear, one will have to wait a while.

Most, but not all, of these transcripts are in digital format, and many of those are already included in the digital collection. You can see what's there so far with this link: http://tinyurl.com/yeh2kmk, or by searching "negotiation transcript" in the search bar of the digital collection.

I have been working on adding these lately and will continue to do so until they are all up there. They are one of the most researcher-requested items in the collection, and I can see why. Now, they will be fully keyword searchable, making this aspect of research much quicker and more productive.

The other type of item most requested are the actual negotiation recordings. Those will all eventually be in the digital collection too, and when they are, researchers will be able to find recorded content using the transcripts, all at their own desks at home.