Great Hanging at Gainesville by Dr. Richard McCaslin

On October 24, 2013, Dr. Richard McCaslin gave an informative presentation about the 'Great Hanging at Gaineville' at the Allen Public Library.  It was published on YouTube November 8, 2013. 

In this YouTube video, "Dr. Richard McCaslin presents an account of a horrifying yet oft-forgotten episode in North Texas history at the Allen Public Library. History is replete with tales of tragic events that should not have happened. Pretending these never existed only increases the chances of re-occurrence; so learning about them will hopefully deter the repeat of another dismal or shameful event. What has come to be known as "The Great Hanging at Gainesville" proves this point. Unlike most of Texas, counties along the Red River, including Collin, voted against secession just prior to the Civil War. Acrimony between pro-Union and pro-Confederate forces in the state was rampant; Texan against Texan hostilities were more venomous than Northerner against Southerner."

Dr. Richard McCaslin is the author of the book pictured above, "Tainted Breeze, The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas, 1862."  McCaslin's book, published in 1994, is the definitive source for information concerning the Great Hanging at Gainesville.  He gives a "fair and balanced" narrative of the Great Hanging that took place at Gainesville, Texas in October, 1862.

Link for the above YouTube video:  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AemRiECL_q4)

Gainesville Great Hanging Website Launched

On February 21, 2014, the Great Hanging Memorial Foundation announced the launch of their new website dedicated to the Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas 1862.  Click on image below to go to the website.

The Great Hanging 1862

The mission of the Great Hanging Memorial Foundation as explained on the website is:

"The Great hanging Memorial Foundation is a 501 c3 (non-profit) organization  and was created to honor those who lost their lives, as well as preserve Civil War history and educate Americans about these events."

The Great Hanging Memorial Foundation is seeking donations from individuals, private foundations, and corporations. Your financial support for the Memorial would be greatly appreciated and would help to make the proposed Memorial a reality.  

You can also support the construction of the Great Hanging Memorial by purchasing a custom engraved Granite Paver. Your paver with its personal message will be placed in the walkway for visitors to see.  To purchase a granite paving stone engraved in memory or in honor of someone, click here.  Purchasing a paver in memory of your Great Hanging ancestor would be a wonderful way to honor those who died in the Great Hanging at Gainesville.  Hopefully everyone who died during the hangings will have a paver in their memory.

Please consider making a donation or purchasing a paver so that this Memorial can become a reality!