The following is the official press release from the Great Hanging Memorial Foundation:
THE GREAT HANGING MEMORIAL DEDICATION
The Great Hanging Memorial
Foundation announced today that a series of events will be held on October 18,
2014 to commemorate the historic event known as the “The Great Hanging at
Gainesville, Texas, October 1862.”
The Great Hanging is a
Texas Civil War era event of major historical significance. Due to its dramatic and controversial nature,
little has been done to memorialize those who lost their lives.
Although this event
occurred 152 years ago, scholars and lay persons still have difficulty in
agreeing on the appropriate interpretation of the incident. Some contend that the action of the civilian
and military authorities that led to the hanging of forty men and the shooting
deaths of two men attempting to escape, was justified. Others argue that the
tragic incident was nothing more than vigilante mob violence.
On December 3, 2013 the
Gainesville City Council unanimously approved the placement of two large
granite stones at the Georgia Davis Bass Memorial Park in Gainesville, Texas to
memorialize those who died. The Great
Hanging Memorial Foundation was then formed.
Funding for the purchase
of two etched granite monuments, solar powered lighting and the memorial
walkway was made possible through private donations.
The public is invited to
the formal dedication which will begin with a luncheon on Saturday, October 18,
2014 (11:30 am - 1:00 pm) at the North
Central Texas College Lions Field House, Gainesville, Texas. The luncheon will
be followed by a program “October Mourning” at the First State Bank Center for
the Performing Arts, also located on the college campus. The Monument dedication ceremony will begin
at 3:00 pm at the Georgia Davis Bass Memorial Park at 729 East Main Street near
downtown Gainesville.
Anyone having knowledge of
descendants of the Great Hanging is encouraged to contact the Foundation at
(817) 999-9551.
Those planning to attend
the luncheon need to RSVP by September 30, 2014
by calling (817) 946-4491 or send email to greathanging1862@gmail.com
Dedication Schedule
October 18, 2014
Luncheon
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Lions Field House, Cooke
County Campus
North Central Texas
College
1525 West California St.
Gainesville, TX 76240
Luncheon provided by the
Texas State Historical Association and the Lone Star Chair in Texas History
Directions
I 35 to Exit 497, turn West on California St. (FM 51) 0.7 mi to
Bonner St. (CR 304), Turn North 0.2 mi to the Field House on Left
Program “October
Mourning”
1:00 - 2:30 pm -Free
Admission- At the First State Bank Center for the Performing Arts on NCTC
campus, southwest of the Lions Field House
“October Mourning” is a 45
minute theatrical reading that brings life to the events of that terrible
October in 1862, by local actors portraying the contemporary characters. Hear
the story of the Great Hanging from the perspective of those who were
there. This reading will be followed by
a 45 minute Q & A session with Dr. Richard B. McCaslin, author of “Tainted
Breeze”.
Monument Dedication
3:00 pm
Georgia Davis Bass
Memorial Park
729 East Main St.,
Gainesville, Texas (parallel street to California St.)
East of Cooke County Court
House
Master of Ceremonies - Dr.
Richard B. McCaslin
