MASARYK UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF EDUCATION - IS MU
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MASARYK UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF EDUCATION
Department of English Language and Literature
The Tragedy of Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas
Bachelor Thesis
Brno 2020
Supervisor: Author:
Mgr. Zdeněk Janík, M.A., Ph.D. Libor Muselík
Bibliografický záznam
Muselík, Libor. Tragédie sekty Davidánů ve městě Waco v Texasu. Bakalářská práce,
Masarykova univerzita, 2020.
Muselík, Libor. The Tragedy of Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas. Bachelor Thesis, Masaryk
University, 2020.
Anotace
Bakalářská práce „Tragédie sekty Davidiánů ve městě Waco v Texasu“ se zaměřuje na konkrétní
odnož křesťanské sekty Adventistů sedmého dne, která má český překlad Odvětví Davidiánů.
Její historie v Texasu začíná na konci 30. let 20. století přestěhováním do menšího města Waco.
A právě tato skupina na sebe na jaře roku 1993 na dva měsíce strhla obrovskou mediální
pozornost, v USA podobnou přistání člověka na měsíci. To kvůli šílenému vůdci, dvěma
neúspěšným útokům agentů amerických služeb, přestřelkám jako z Divokého západu a
obléhání jako z časů středověku. Bohužel toto obléhání skončilo tragédií a požárem s desítkami
obětí. Cílem této práce je v prvních kapitolách prozkoumat historii této sekty, poté přiblížit její
apokalyptické lídry, a poslední kapitoly popíší samotné obléhání a tragické rozuzlení. Výzkum
pro tuto bakalářskou práci se uskutečnil během mého studijního pobytu na McLennan
Community College a v Texaském archivu Univerzity Baylor. Obě tyto instituce sídlí ve městě
Waco, kde se tyto události odehrály. Součástí výzkumu je také rozhovor s profesorem
z Univerzity Baylor, Robertem Dardenem který napsal knihu, jež je považována za nejvěrnější
popis oněch událostí a byl jejich očitým svědkem.
Annotation
The bachelor thesis “The Tragedy of Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas „will focus on a
particular branch of Christian protestant sect called Seventh Day Adventist, called Branch
Davidians. Their history in Texas begins in the late 1930s by moving to a smaller town Waco.
This group in Spring of 1993 had drawn complete media coverage on itself, in the US
comparable to the Moon landing. All this because of a mad cult leader, two unsuccessful attacks
1
of federal agents, shootouts that remind The Wild west and besieging like in the Middle Ages.
Unfortunately, this siege ended tragically in flames with tens of victims. The goal of this thesis
is to examine the history of this cult, then to illustrate the apocalyptic leaders and the last
chapters will describe the siege and its tragic unfolding. The research for this thesis was done
while studying abroad at Mclennan Community College and at Baylor University’s Texas
Collection Archive. Both institutions are in Waco, Texas where these events took place. Part of
the research is an interview with Baylor University Professor Robert Darden who wrote a book,
that is taken as the most truthful retelling of the events as they unfolded and is an eyewitness to
these events.
Klíčová slova
Náboženská sekta, Davidiáni, Waco, David Koresh, Benjamin Roden, FBI, ATF, Adventisté
sedmého dne, odnož Davidiánů, Texas, Victor Heuteff, obléhání, útok, apokalypsa, kult, vůdce,
tragédie, sekta
Keywords
Religious sect, Davidians, Waco, David Koresh, Benjamin Roden, FBI, ATF, Seventh Day
Adventist, Branch Davidians, Texas, Victor Heuteff, assault, siege, apocalypse, cult, leader,
tragedy, sect
2
Declaration
I hereby declare that I have worked on this thesis independently, using only the sources listed
in the References section.
I agree with the placing of this thesis in the library of the Faculty of Education at Masaryk
University with acceess for academic purposes.
Brno, 20 April 2020 …………………………
Libor Muselík
3
Acknowledgment
First, I would like to thank my supervisor Mgr. Zdeněk Janík, M.A., Ph.D. for his
valuable suggestions, help, and scholarly comments. I also want to express my gratitude to John
Hillman who helped me greatly at the beginning of my research. Lastly, I would like to thank
for all the support from my family and friends.
4
Table of contents
1. Introduction ..................................................................................................... 6
2. Brief introductions to Religion in the United States and Texas ................. 7
3. Early History of Adventist of the Seventh Day ............................................ 8
3.1 Are they a cult or a sect ............................................................................. 9
3.2. Victor T. Houteff ....................................................................................... 9
3.3. Florence Houteff ...................................................................................... 13
4. Ben Roden ...................................................................................................... 15
4.1. Lois and George Roden rivalry ............................................................. 17
5. The childhood of Vernon Howell ................................................................. 18
5.1 Vernon Howell joins the Branch Davidians .......................................... 19
5.2. Vernon Howell’s exile to Palestine ........................................................ 21
5.3. Vernon Howell versus George Roden ................................................... 24
6. David Koresh as seen by Marc Breault ....................................................... 26
6.1. David Koresh turns bitter ...................................................................... 28
6.2. The ATF starts to investigate ................................................................. 29
6.3. David Koresh as seen by David Thibodeau .......................................... 31
6.4. Mistakes of the ATF ................................................................................ 33
6.5. The Raid Begins ...................................................................................... 35
7. Davidians under siege ................................................................................... 38
7. 1. Trying to get people out alive ................................................................ 39
7. 2. The last day as seen by David Thibodeau ............................................ 42
8. Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 45
Appendices ......................................................................................................... 47
References .......................................................................................................... 53
5
1. Introduction
I was still undecided about what should the topic of my Bachelor thesis be. But when I
was given the opportunity to study at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas. I started
doing research to learn more about Texas and Waco in particular. I was expecting my search
engine to show me cowboys or scenery. But instead, it showed large compound engulfed in
flames. This was a result of a standoff between the FBI and a religious group. Which in April
of 1993 ended this tragically. Interested in how such a small group managed to stand against
the FBI for 50 days. And why did it end so tragically. After learning this I knew that I want to
write thesis on this topic and learn the background to this event.
Studying in the lovely smaller Texan Waco, gave me plenty of opportunities to continue
my research. Inhabitants of Waco still had this event in their memory. The Texas archive of
local Baylor University offers large collection of artefacts from the events of 1993 and prior.
And I had the opportunity to do an interview with an eyewitness and co- author of a book
named: Mad Man in Waco: The Complete Story of the Davidan Cult, David Koresh and the
Waco Massacre, Bob Darden. I also got to see the property, just outside of Waco where the
vents took place.
The paper is divided into 8 main chapters, which chronologically introduce the
beginnings of this sect until the deadly confrontation with the FBI agents. Along with this the
main leaders and prophets of this group will be introduced. First part is about the early
beginnings of this sect and its formation by Victor T Houteff, his theology and the leaders that
followed his wife and Benjamin Roden. Middle part is centred about the fateful figure of David
Koresh whose illegal actions brought the attention of American federal agents upon his group.
Last part is about the Agents of Burau of Alcohol, Tabaco, and Firearms conducting
investigation and making an arrest on David Koresh. Thus, setting in motion chain of events
that will eventually lead to the fiery tragedy. This thesis hopefully sheds some light on this
event, which is not well known in the Czech Republic.
6
2. Brief introductions to Religion in the United States and Texas
The First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all
Americans. For this very reason the United States throughout history became a safe heaven for
those who were religiously prosecuted or wanted to practice their faith in their way. This
eventually led to many new religious ways branching and finding its way from the mainstream
religions compared to Europe.
“Since the Puritans first set foon on this continents, America has been a fertile ground
for new religions” (Stark et al. 347). “A substantial number of sects to be found in America
were the result of religious schism somehere (usually Europe), and they came to America
through emigration of large numbers of sect members- sometimes even the entire body” (Stark
and Bainbridge, 132).
Texas is part of the American South, in a religious context called, “Bible Belt”. It is a
quite useful expression to describe the importance of Scriptures to The South (Wilson, 172).
Protestant Christianity is South’s most dominant religious front. What interests’ observers is
how to a remarkable degree for a modern Western culture, the South adheres to traditional
Christianity. It believes in a supernaturalism reminiscent of medieval Europe. Traditional faith
remains the prevalent form, its hold on the hearts and minds of people quite firm. In certain
parts of Texas Roman Catholicism continues to be strong still. (Hill, 1, 18).
“Four comon covictions distinguish serious religion in the eyes of southern religious: 1)
the Bible as the sole reference point, 2) direct and intimate acess to the Lord, 3) Christian
morality defined in the terms of indivualistic and interpersonal ethics, 4) informal, spontaneous
patterns of worship. Baptist- like approach scores high on all four tests and is the most popular
form of southern religious life” (ibid., 15). “The once religiously homogenous South is less and
less that way, notwisthanding the staying, and adaptive, power of evangelical Protestanstism”
(ibid.,19).
Given the above, we can conclude that Texas is a good place for a Bible study group of
Davidians to move to. As it is very religious, Christian Protestant and evangelical (meaning
conservative).
73. Early History of Adventist of the Seventh Day
This chapter depicts the early days of what later became Davidan sect under their first
leader Victor T. Heuteff. Then it narrates the life experience of Heuteff and events which
negatively shaped his religious outlook to the point that he established his own sect, with him
as a leader. The second sub-chapter describes the leadership of this sect after Houteff’s death.
The Adventists were a Christian sect, originating from Millerites, whose members
strongly believed in Apocalypse. For instance, on 22nd October 1844, The Great
Disappointment occurred, when Founder William Miller’s prediction on the Second Coming of
Christ failed to materialize. Miller had an unsuccessful record in that area, having missed three
earlier dates for the end of the world over the previous year and a half. His followers in white
ascension robes, standing by open graves waited expectantly all day and all night for the
heavens to open up and the trumpets to sound. When Midnight passed and all were still standing
by their graves, the group (at one time his followers numbered 100,000) splintered into smaller
sects or drifted away completely (Bailey and Darden, 16).
Despite their prophet’s failures to correctly predict the Apocalypse, one group of
discouraged, however still believing Millerites continued to meet in Washington, New
Hampshire. Influenced by teachings of the Seventh-day Baptist Church, the Adventists began
keeping a Saturday Sabbath. Fundamentally Protestant, the Seventh-day Adventists accept the
Holy Bible as their rule of faith, though the teachings of preacher James White and his wife
Ellen White still play a central role in determining questions of faith and morality. Their faith
is strongly Evangelical. Meaning very conservative, they believe salvation is possible only
through grace and belief in Jesus Christ as a personal saviour. From their beginnings they teach
of imminent arrival of Christ’s return and establishment of God’s kingdom lasting for 100 years,
called Millennialism. Admittedly no one could yet predict when. Because of these teachings of
upcoming Apocalypse, promising wonderful afterlife for those who believe, White
accumulated a large following from the poor masses. These people found hardships in climbing
the social ladder in a tough era of the mid-1800s, but a promise of better prospects probably
made them attracted to White’s teachings (Bailey and Darden, 16-17). Newport writes in his
book Branch Davidians in Waco:” They are “Seventh-day”, that is they observe the seventh
day of the week as a Sabbath, but they are also “Adventists’, that is, they look expectantly for
the second advent of the Lord “ (32).
8To clarify, Sabbath is the day reserved for religious worship and abstinence from work.
For mainstream Christianity this day falls on Sunday, for Judaism it is Saturday. The other
distinction from Christian religious stream is that these followers would usually follow a strong
central figure that would set the course. In addition, study the Bible to release new teachings
and writings. Seventh-day Adventists, later in short SDAs.
3.1 Are they a cult or a sect
This terminology will help us classify new religious movements as Seventh-Day
Adventist and later Davidians. Especially later when being referred to by media, they were
usually labeled cult.
Mariam-Webster dictionary defines sect as a:” a religious group that is a smaller part of
a larger group and whose members all share similar beliefs “. Whereas cult as: “a religion
regarded as unorthodox or spurious: voodoo cult, a satanic cult”
New religions appear in numerous distinctive ways. The most common way of origin is
through division. Groups split from established religions, to found new groups. If they stay
religiously closely to their former tradition. They are identified as sects. Completely new groups
or deviant from established religions are identified as cults. As well as established religions
imported into different society. Christianity would be a cult in India the same as Hinduism is
considered a cult in the United States (Stark et al., 347).
Even though these two expressions are often used loosely and interchangeably, it is
correct to classify early Davidians as a sect, splitting from an already established sect The Seven
Day Adventist.
In 1981 in the United States there were 416 religious sects, leading states are Tennesee,
Utah, and Indiana with texas at 33rd place. The main bodies from which these sects separated
counting down are: Pentecostal, Holiness, Baptist, Adventist, and Methodist. (Stark and
Bainbridge,141, 146)
3.2. Victor T. Houteff
The story of Branch Davidians in Waco begins with Bulgarian man Victor T. Houteff
(see fig. 1) His name is pronounced HOT-if. He was born in Raikovo, Bulgaria on 2nd March
1885. Not much is known about his early life apart from information given by one of his future
9followers, George Slater. He was raised in Greek Orthodox Church, but soon became
disillusioned when members of his Church destroyed his shop in a riot against him. His business
prospered, because he undercut the local market. His angry competitors first threatened, but
later took matters to their own hands. With rocks destroyed Houteff’s shop and fired guns into
the air to scare off his customers. (Bailey, 15). Newport writes that Houteff was to say, that
while he had his shop, he would never want to go anywhere as far as America, and even mocked
his cousin who ventured there. However when he was falsely accused of conspiracy leading to
an armed mob destroying his livelihood he decided to follow his cousin's footsteps. Later he
would turn this all to the work of providence. Claiming that same as Moses was driven out of
Egypt he too had to escape at a gunpoint (Newport, 49).
Houteff arrived in New York City in 1907 and eagerly started working. First in a
restaurant, but soon he saved enough money to move Milwaukee where he joined his brother.
In 1919 he opened his small hotel in Rockford, Illinois. There in the year of 1918 he first heard
the teaching of Seventh- Day Adventists, he enjoyed the preacher's sermon and returned several
times. He became a member by being baptized on May 10, 1919. As an enthusiastic convert he
financed building a new place of worship. Following he made a wrong business decision, selling
his hotel to run a grocery business failed, eventually he sold it at a loss. Around 1923 he was in
California and was feeling ill. Listening to the advice of SDA minister, he went to Glendale
Seventh-day Adventist Sanatorium in Los Angeles (ibid., p. 50-51). It was his experience there,
that forever changed his perception of the SDA church consequently motivating him to become
a reformer. Visibly ill, he was asked to pay 25 dollars deposit fee, he did with a check, but it
took several days before money arrived from the bank. No doctors or other medical staff
checked his condition while he waited at the sanatorium grounds, only serving him water. This
accident forever changed his outlook on the SDA Church, saying: “they lost their initial purity
of vision and purpose” (Bailey and Darden, 17-18).
As a result, once he got released from the hospital he delved into intensive Bible study.
Coupling it with teaching at a Sabbath School at Los Angeles in 1928, despite his difficulties
with English. Around that time a life-changing event happened. He received a revelation,
believed it and began to teach it with eagerness. For this reason, his students kept coming, they
became interested and started inviting others. Thus his Sabbath school quickly grew to 60
numbers a substantial portion of the church’s congregation. Frightened, church authorities tried
to deny Houteff a place to continue his preaching. So he did find a room somewhere else and
people continued attending. Being desperate, the church official expelled Houteff from the
10building for good. And warned others, anyone who attends his meeting, reads his literature will
be met with the same fate, but that did not stop many of them from further following Houteff.
(ibid., p. 18).
Heuteff continued studying and writing for 2 years and drafted what he called The
Shepherd’s Rod, Volume 1. His major publication, that revealed divine truths that were
revealed to him in a prophecy. It is also built on the Bible and teachings of Ellen White, the
original Adventist. The name is taken from Moses’s rod. The main goal of the publication is to
aim at practicing SDAs, to inform them of a fast aproaching event, the reformation of the church
is needed for the end is coming, that would purge the sinners and reward those who are
enlightened by his knowledge. He wanted to distance himself from SDA, putting himself on a
pedestal by saying:” Branchings were never forks in the road, but a matter of leaving the
unenlightened at a lower level” (ibid., p. 19).
In 1932 and 1933 Houteff wrote Sheprheds’s rod 2 and 3, while SDA groups continued
to condemn his teachings and print booklets, that called his work a heresy. Despite their best
efforts Heuteff’s following continued to grow. Tired by constant harassing by the leadership of
Los Angeles SDAs Houteff decided it was time to move his followers to a more rural setting
(ibid., p. 21-23). For this reason, Houteff now bared a similar role to Jesus Christ in the history
of Christianity: a prophet who found himself without honor in his own country. By 1935
Houteff travel to Texas to look for a property to move in. Texas was chosen for its centrality as
Israel was between Egypt and Assyria, so is Texas between North and South America.
Correspondingly Texas bears Biblical similarity to Israel in climate and land type. After
considering a few options and thoughtful prayer, Waco again in the center of Texas was chosen
and 190 acres sized property was bought. (Newport, 56-57).
On 19th May 1935 those ready to move to Waco, met in San Diego. The group consisted
of 12 people from 7 families, both being important Biblical numbers, pleased Houteff. On 24th
May they arrived in Waco. As the property was on a hill name was decided after Biblical
mountain in Israel, Mt Carmel. Thus Mt. Carmel Centre was born. (ibid., p. 57-58). To Houteff
the property was perfect, large and cheap on a nice elevated spot above a lake. Far away from
the city to be away from the world and its corrupting environment. It was far away to be
considered in city zoning, so they had land to freely build a church, a school and living quarters.
The constructions began with First Tithe and donation money Houteff gathered in California,
followers and supporters of Shephard’s Rod from all over the country were invited. In 1937 the
population of Mt. Carmel grew to 75. The plan while building everything was to assure that
11they would be self-sufficient as possible. The Sabbath was for praying and Bible Study. Houteff
was doing his sermons finally in piece. Meals served in the communal cafeteria were all
vegetarian. And everybody had to work, even children weren’t left out. Five years old children
and up had four hours of studying in school and four hours of physical labour each day. (Bailey
and Darden 28-29). This demonstrates that early life and building of Mt. Carmel must have
been quite challenging, nonetheless fulfilling as they as a community built their livelihood.
Around the same time on 1st January 1937 Houteff aged 52, married one of his followers,
teenager Florence Hermanson (see fig. 2), thirty years younger than him. She was a tall and
pretty teenager with very long hair. Together they had no children. Second try on picking the
name for their group was successful, the first one was too long and awkward. The new name
they settled on was “Davidians”, as their goal was to establish a “Davidic” kingdom in
Palestine. The means how to support Mt. Carmel financially was by a new “Second Tithe” for
all Davidians. It did not matter whether they lived at Mt. Carmel or elsewhere, they would hand
in roughly 9% of their income to Houteff. Further donations were also highly appreciated
(Bailey and Darden, 29-30).
In the following years constructions continued. There sometimes was bickering for
power when Houteff was gone for personal or missionary travel. Or failed experiment happened
when children were separated from their parents to their gender-differentiated dormitories,
which lasted for just a year or so. As the United States entered the Second World War in
December of 1941, Davidians cut off from the outside world, were one of the last ones in Waco
to learn about it. Still their young men had to enlist. Similarly as those professing SDA or faith
similar they too wished to work in non-combat, pacifist roles. They often served as medics and
wound dressers when they could, and tried to maintain their vegetarian diet, which turned
difficult in the Army (Bailey and Darden, 32-33).
Heuteff worked hard on spreading his work and delivering it to all current and possible
new believers. He spent a lot of money on printing his work of pamphlets and booklets sending
them regularly to a huge mailing list of more than 100,000 SDAs. At its peak, they were printing
48,000 pieces of religious literature every two weeks. Discouraged by the low efficiency of this
method, he came with an idea to send between 20 to 30 “field workers” for what he called “the
Hunting” they would go into the world to meet SDA families and recruit new members. By this
time Houteff also deals with never-ending financial problems by selling unused parts of their
property as the city of Waco grows closer to them. (Bailey and Darden 35). This technique of
personal recruitment prevailed for many years into the future to the times of David Koresh.
12After years of his health state getting worse, On 5th February 1955 Houteff dies as a
consequence of heart and kidney failure. His followers believing, he worked too hard and
overworked himself to the death.” I think he overdid himself, taxed his physical strength,”
Seather said. “He wasn’t made out of steel, although you’d think he was He was on the go all
the time. Nothing escaped him. He was watching everything. Everything” (Bailey and Darden,
34-35). Many Davidians were dumbfounded by his death, they would believe that he would
not die before the Millennium. On his death bed he was to pass the leadership to Mrs. Heouteff,
while trying to teach her one of his last prophecies coming from Revelation 11, but ultimately,
he was not able to. Thousands of people attended his funeral, some claiming it was the biggest
funeral Waco had ever seen (ibid., p. 34-36). This concludes the end of Victor T. Houteff, the
man who established Davidians in Waco, admittedly his prophetic apocalyptic visions did not
come in his lifetime, but 40 years later.
3.3. Florence Houteff
After Heouteff’s death a big crisis struck the community. Some were unable to
understand how somebody who was supposed to rule a literal kingdom in Israel could have
died. Some believed and hoped that he would soon be resurrected. Another issue was the fear
of the community of Davidians splitting into pieces as four people made claims to usurp the
leadership role (Newport, 95-96). Fighting was between Wolfe, Bingham, Roden and Florence
Houteff. As she put herself into a leadership role before, as her husband’s health was dwindling
and with the claim of succession being approved by Houteff, she was chosen as the next leader.
Thus the crisis of separation stopped, Florence started working hard and studied the Bible for
hints on predicting the next prophecy. Especially Revelation 11, as her husband advised her so.
This gamble to bet on 22nd April 1959, to be the day of the outbreak of war in the Middle East,
preceding the establishment of the anticipated divine kingdom, ultimately turned out fateful to
the reputation of Florence. Consequently, almost led to the end of the Davidian community.
But for now, it gave the Davidians purpose again, a date to look forward to. (Newport, 95-97).
Mrs. Heouteff continued selling the property with profits as the city of Waco kept
growing, that Houteff started to fund his “hunting campaign”. As a result, they were left with a
small piece of land and commercial houses started to grow around them. To distance themselves
from the city again Mrs. Houteff purchased large 941 acres property near Elk, 12 miles from
the center of Waco. Around December 1957 the building began again at a “new” Mt. Carmel.
13Construction started with church, new headquarters, an office building, eighteen homes and a
variety of farm buildings were also built. Along this the prophetic date was fast approaching.
What exactly is going to happen was depicted as follows. War breaking out in the Middle East
will clear out the region, thus making space for God’s Kingdom, which then Davidians inhabit.
Purification of their Church and the rest of the population by the coming of Lord. There also
was a theory claiming that the world’s religions will unite against Communism. Some claimed
that their late leader Houteff would be resurrected as well that year. To all Davidians Mrs.
Heouteff sent out a call to come join them at Mt. Carmel for the glory day (Newport, 100-103).
After the announcement more than 500 people started arriving from different states in
the US and Canada. People who packed their families, sold their homes, farms and sometimes
businesses, and head out to Waco when they got the notice. A plenty of them were interviewed
by local reporters, these are their stories: “We were living in Narco, California, when we
received the notice to assemble in Waco,” Tommy Thompson, a lean, weather-beaten man in
his 60s recalled. “I owned a trenching machine business. “After we received the notice, we sold
the business, our home and furniture. We packed the rest of our belongings-our bedding and
cooking utensils-in the car and a rented trailer and brought them with us” (Bailey and Darden,
45). It can be concluded that people who came, really believed in Mrs. Heuteff’s prophecy.
Same as Tommy Thompson above many others, that agreed to an interview confirmed that they
burned bridges behind them, sold their properties and livelihoods took their children with them
and together came to Waco.
Finally, 22nd April has arrived, and everyone enthusiastically awaited when it is going
to happen. Some thought it will be right after midnight, ad stayed up late to wait for it. Others
expected it with dawn. Then noon, they prayed together and waited (Bailed and Darden, 47).
As nothing happened, some remained hopeful as the event was supposed to occur somewhere
around the date. However, as days moved on, people had lost faith and this event ruined
Florence Houteff’s career. A committee was established to figure out where did it go wrong,
one of the possible reasons was that this prophecy should have been kept secret just between
the members of SDA. Many of the Davidians converted back to SDA. Florence Houteff
resigned. (Newport, 104-108). Bailey and Darden’s book have the reasoning for Mrs. Heuteff
resignation: “At a meeting held in March 1962, the council members, including Mrs. Houteff,
formally presented their fellow Davidians with the resignations, accompanied by a message
that, Mrs. Houteff claimed, was the result of careful Bible study. It said that they had discovered
that some key teachings based on concepts Heuteff, Mrs. Heuteff, or Ellen White had elaborated
14were not supported by the Bible, and that they were no longer sure that The Shepherd’s Rod
was infallible” In addition, representatives voted for dissolving the General Association of
Davidian Seventh-day Adventists, consequently Mount Carmel Center was formally closed.
(54). Ultimately, this is the end of Davidians as established and imagined by Victor T. Heuteff.
4. Ben Roden
This chapter describes Ben Roden (see fig. 3) and his family. Roden is the one who
would attach the name Branch to Davidians, thus giving them the name under which they are
known today by almost everybody in the United States. It also depicts how they overtook what
was left behind from the former dissolved Davidians.
Ben Roden came to the scene quite early, visiting Davidians for some time at Mt.
Carmel. Later in 1955 as a contender for the role of a leader after the death of Victor Heuteff.
Unfortunately for him, he was in Israel with his family when the election was in full swing,
thus unable to make a serious impression. When he returned with the aspiration to persuade
people to vote for him, it was too late and Mrs. Houteff had already won (Newport, 97). Seather
recalls: “On October 10, 1955, Benjamin and Lois Roden (see fig. 4) returned from Odessa,
Texas with their children and a new convert, a Davidian ministerial student named Perry Jones.
Benjamin Roden demanded control of the compound, claiming to have received a message
while working under a car in Odessa that he was the anointed “Branch,” the new leader of the
Davidians. When the Davidian elders refused the Rodens insisted that everyone stop work and
pray with them” (Bailey and Darden, 39). The Rodens were intimidating people with large
builds, and frightened the gentle, pacifistic Davidians. Roden calling himself “the Branch” was
possibly a reference to Houteff using this expression and Roden trying to establish an
association between them (Bailey and Darden, 39).
The Rodens believed they were the only spiritual successors of Houteff’s message. In
addition, the owners of Mt. Carmel as well. Their chance to finally usurp the leadership finally
came after the dissolving of old Davidians. Only a few were left at Mt. Carmel and they could
not oppose when the Rodens with their followers came to take over (Bailey and Darden, 56).
Roden had some lengthy legal issues when acquiring the property, between the former
Davidians and him. He was determined to own it because, in a message from God, he was
instructed to lead God’s people in Waco. He finally did on 27th February 1973 (Newport, 128).
15The description of the Rodens by Dr. Dan McGee, who got invited to visit them for
Passover a Jewish holiday, that was for Davidians the most significant.: “George Roden, a
scary-looking character, was always moping around in the background. They never allowed me
to talk with Ben Roden alone. Lois was always with him. It was very clear that she was the
quick-witted one” (Bailey and Darden, 61). Another description is given by a well-known
attorney from Waco, at whom ben Roden left a good impression: “Ben Roden’s appearance,
mannerisms-he could have been a professional man, president of a corporation. He was a fine-
looking man, very impressive, very straight-forward, a nice-looking man. I never did see him
when he wasn’t dressed in a business suit, just like he was going to a business function. He was
courteous extremely courteous- very intelligent, I thought. Lois Roden was a strong woman, I
always sort of visualized her as a pioneer woman. She had strong hands and she had a strong,
firm conviction about things. They were a team” (ibid., p. 61-62).
Roden spent the next couple of years at Mt. Carmel by continuing to study theology and
produce his works. (Newport, 128). His written pieces are fairly similar to the works of Houteff.
Containing the alike use of fractured verses analyzed by unfathomable logic. However he was
obsessed by two notions, that separated him from Heuteff. First was the establishment of the
Davidic kingdom in Israel, with him as the ruler, he called it “the Temple”. Second was hatred
for Catholicism. His dislike for Catholics was quite disturbing, for a leader of a rather peaceful
community. He used to write a conspiracy slander pamphlets like” Catholics Crucifing Nixon!”
from 1974. Where he claimed Watergate of being Catholic conspiracy for establishing Papal
control in the US. Aside from spreading their literature Rodens would often travel to Israel to
continue their preparations and encourage their believers that for prophesized moving and
Kingdom establishment there is still coming. (Bailey and Darden, 62-63).
An interesting thing happened to Lois Roden in 1977. She explains that as she was
studying the Bible at 2 am. She looked out of her bedroom window and a shining, silver anglel
flew past. She told reporters: “Nothing was said. But I knew right there the angel represented
the Holy Spirit Mother. It was feminine in form,” she explained. “Until that moment, I had
always thought the Holy Spirit was masculine” (Bailey and Darden, 65). This message received
media coverage and established Mrs. Roden as the next prophet. But was not universally
popular by all the residents of Mt. Carmel. Perry Jones, one of the Davidians remembers: “I
thought it was blasphemy, I couldn’t sleep at night,” (ibid., p. 65).
Other than that, the state of the compound was not very nice. Junked cars lying around,
building that needed new coat of paint and some barracks needed completely new rebuilding.
16The health of Ben Roden, at that time 76, was also dwindling and he passed a year after his
wife received the message of the Holy Spirit. In his last year of life, he was greatly comforted
by her vision and worked with his wife on spreading their feminine Holy Spirit message (ibid.,
p. 65-66). When Ben Roden died, he left behind the community in better shape than when he
found it. Property settled, leadership as well, with his wife assuming the role of a new prophet
with her latest vision. On the other hand, nothing ever came of his goals and prophecies. Like
establishing “the Temple in Israel for his followers (Newport 130).
4.1. Lois and George Roden rivalry
This chapter describes Lois Roden’s leadership of Branch Davidians and the struggle of
her son George Roden (see fig. 5) to take the role of the leader from her.
After Ben Roden’s death, Lois Roden assumed the role of leader of the Branch
Davidians and immediately declared 40 days of mourning for her late husband. But as she had
her agenda of spreading her message she often left for long trips to Israel. She especially did
not care for involving herself in daily activities at Mt. Carmel. Nevertheless she did not think
that her son George was a good enough representative in her absence. She just did not see him
as a “Temple builder” that his father was. This eventually led to another power struggle (Bailey
and Darden, 66).
George Roden was not used to being left out. His parents would bring him everywhere
with them. George suffered from Tourette’s syndrome, giving him tics and twitches of body.
As he grew up he believed that his father groomed him for taking his role after his death. George
also told a story of how his father Ben Roden in a moment of weakness when Lois was in Israel
for 3 years, unsuccessfully showed interest in his daughter, that resembled Lois. George Roden
was to say: “I told all at Mt. Carmel Center that if my wife had been away from me that long,
that I would rape every woman in the house.” He also tried to run for an office of the president
of the United States, but his rambling, populist ideas and speaking style earned him no
supporters (Bailey and Darden, 62-65)
When George called for a vote between the Davidians to decide on a new leader. He
again lost to his mother. He then decided to deal with this at court and brought evidence that he
was to be the appointed leader, he did not win this case either. As a result Lois was forced to
ask for a restraining order to keep George out of Mt. Carmel (Bailey and Darden 68-69). Despite
17the restraining order George Roden was a regular visitor to Mt. Carmel and still pursued the
dream to be the leader of this community (Newport, 156).
5. The childhood of Vernon Howell
This chapter’s focus is Vernon Howell (see fig. 6,7), who later renamed himself to David
Koresh. He will later in life becomes favourite leader of Branch Davidians. But his unfortunate
upbringing is probably reason if his twisted nature that was later revealed.
Vernon Wayne Howell was out of wedlock born on 17th August 1959. In Houston, Texas
to a 14 or 15-year-old Bonnie Clark. His young mother could not keep a stable relationship and
Vernon was placed into the care of his maternal grandmother for three years (Newport, 172).
As his mother came to claim him after getting into a serious relationship with Roy Haddleman,
little Vernon was furious. You are not my mother, he shouted. His family then moved a lot and
he had to often change schools. He had trouble keeping up with others in school and the reason
for it might have been dyslexia. “Though several years in a Dallas program for the learning
disabled later taught him to compensate, the other kids would always make fun of his disability.
“Retard” was the word kids called him on the playground. He spoke in later years of an
attempted rape by three other boys when he was seven (Bailey and Darden 70). “Howell was
later to claim that he had been sexually abused as a child by a group of older boys.” There are
also claims that he was beaten and abused by his stepfather. (Newport, 172). Newport also
writes, that later when having long chats with FBI negotiators, Howell would talk about how
kids shouting “here comes the Retards” deeply hurt him (173).
His mother was raised as an SDA and Vernon would attend church with her as a child.
(ibid., p, 173). In junior high school Vernon fell in love with two things: the electric guitar and
the Bible. Bonnie Haldeman said that Vernon had “memorized much of the New Testament
before his 13th birthday” (Bailey and Darden, 71).
Vernon’s mother Bonnie in her book Memories of the Branch Davidians: The
Autobiography of David Koresh’s Mother claims, that Vernon, who repeated first grade, did
not have dyslexia but a reading disability. “Kids who have this disability have high IQs, but just
can’t get certain things” (Haldeman, 15). One of her memories is of Vernon stopping her drunk,
angry husband Roy, Vernon’s step-father, from beating his little step-brother. Vernon stepped
18in and punched Roy. From this must have come Vernon's later mantra to never punish children
when angry, she claims (ibid., p. 16-21).
Bonnie recalls that little Vernon loved going to church and wanted to attend church
school and so he did for 2 years. In his teenage years his hobbies were guitars, rock music,
fishing and girls. He started listening to radio preachers. As he continued to study the Bible, he
grew frustrated, with preachers in church for not sufficing him with answers. He asked
questions and they would tell him to shut up. He asked his friend, “We’re reading the Bible
about all these prophets. Where are all the prophets today?”. And she told him about Lois Roden
Living in Mt.Carmel, Waco. David said that he want to go see and meet those people, so she
took him there. He began studying there under Lois Roden, who started to like him, he was
astonished by the spiritual information he was getting and was missing for so long Soon his
knowledge and prodigy started to be recognized by others (Haldeman, 25-27).
5.1 Vernon Howell joins the Branch Davidians
The following text it about Vernon Howell’s beginnings with the Davidians. It depicts
how he won them over and quickly and charmed everyone. He then very quickly assumed the
position of prophet and a leader. It also shows the rivalry between him and George Roden.
Vernon dropped out of High School to stay with his friends, while going through a
variety of jobs, carpentry was one of them. He returned to live with his mother for a while and
attended her SDA church with her. Bailey writes: “He was a cocky, smart-mouthed teenager
with an extensive knowledge of the Bible, and quickly became something of a pariah among
the church members. At one point, Howell told the pastor of the church that God had told him
to marry his underage daughter. The pastor refused to allow this.” After a series of disruptive
events when during sermons, Howell was disfellowshipped (Bailey and Darden, 71).
After this, he learned about Branch Davidians in Waco. With dwindling membership,
he was taken in with open arms by Mrs. Roden. In addition, his carpenter skills were highly
appreciated after he helped repair old buildings that were built in 1959 in quite a rush. Who
disliked young Vernon from the beginning was George, who found the presence of another
young male threatening. And his suspicion was correct. “At some point in 1983, Lois anointed
Vernon as the next prophet, bypassing George completely. She also sent out a call to all Branch
Davidians to return to Mt. Carmel to hear Howell’s prophetic message. It seemed as if she was
19suddenly losing interest in spreading the concept of the feminine Holy Spirit. Lois’
announcement enraged George” (Bailey and Darden, 72). As George was slowly losing his
mind over this, his next escapade was holding a Baylor University student, Mrs. Martie at
gunpoint as she wanted to leave Mt. Carmel in her car. She visited the compound on a couple
of occasions to learn about the theology of Lois Roden and to write a thesis about it. But George
was convinced that she is a reporter and was there to hear only their side of the story, and she
must also hear his (ibid., p. 72).
All this time Mrs. Martie wanted to interview Lois for her thesis, but was allowed to
interview Perry Jones, now already established Davidian, and Vernon Howell as he was being
appointed into a role of a new leader. But thanks to her, we get an outlook into how Howell
talked to people. She also remembers how Perry was amazed by Howell: “He began to talk
more about what Vernon was saying as we went along. I don’t think he understood it, but he
was excited about the possibility and the new prophet and that something good was going to
happen.” And this about Howell from her experience: “I found him arrogant rather than
charismatic. The interviews were frustrating. We didn’t talk, he did. He went on and on about
Revelation. I noticed nothing connected in anybody’s mind but his. To him, all Scripture was
prophecy for his picking and determining what it meant. He alone knew. There was something
horrible wrong if you didn’t agree. There was no following him, he was all over the place, but
he clearly had stepped fully into the position of being a prophet.” (Bailey, 73).
Another description of Howell is from Baylor University professor Alan Robb who
accompanied her student, who wanted to do a research paper on Branch Davidians and had an
interview with 2 women scheduled, into the compound. There he got to meet Howell and they
conversed for about 30 minutes. Alan Robb recalls: “He was not the least bit scary in any way.
He was a very, very impressive character, very sure of himself, very knowledgeable in a knee-
jerk way about the Scriptures. He had the capacity for making you feel like you were the center
of the universe, when he talked to you, that you were the only thing that counted, that you were
very important to him and to whatever he was pitching… I had no trouble understanding how
he was able to control or attract people. It wasn’t so much based on knowledge of the Scriptures
as it was on absolute sureness of mission and absolute clarity of being right about it. He was
the kind of personality that would indeed attract people. I’ve been around this sort of thing all
my life and I understand how it works very well, and he had a great talent for it… He had a real
capacity for reading people fairly rapidly.” (Bailey, 75).
20From these two recollections of people that got to meet Howell during his beginnings
with the Branch Davidians. We can recognize that he was a captivating speaker. However, it
did not work on these two people with academic background, but on his followers that were
already interested in religion and theology and were looking for a purpose. On them he had
tremendous success with his ability to put together pieces of the Bible. Confirming that he
memorized it as a child.
The most possible explanation of how Howell was able to gain his quite large and loyal
following, is in his teachings. In the New Testament is a part called the Book of Revelations.
Most western scholars find it the most apocalyptical and strange part of the Bible to read. In it
Seven Seals are briefly mentioned, but they are nowhere near to being the centerpiece of the
Book of Revelations and the Bible. Many scholars throughout history tried to interpret the
words, mainstream theology believes it is a prophecy of the End Times. Vernon Howell built
his following by interpreting the Seven Seals. He started by explaining that only “the Lamb of
God”, God’s son – Jesus Christ can interpret the Seals and open them (Reavis, 102-104).
He came with his true interpretation of the Seals to his believers, he was able to explain
the Seals satisfactorily, in his followers’ eyes. Thus, to them, he was who he claimed to be,
another reincarnation of Christ. The first 4 Seals were open and the rest will be in upcoming
events, he would say. Then he and his followers used this logic look down upon on other
Christians: “If it’s a mystery to you, that means you’re an imposter, you’re not a servant of
God”, Steve Schneider would say (ibid., p. 106). Thus, making themselves feel superior. Howell
would preach:” If the Seals were given to the servants of God, and you didn’t understand them,
you weren’t really a servant. One became able, to be a servant of God, by learning the Seals.
Learning is the way to redemption.” And “You can’t believe in what you don’t understand”
(ibid., p. 106). Of course, one can only learn them under his wings, nowhere else. Howell would
criticize other Churches, claiming they teach what they do not understand. If Howell wanted
new possible converts, he interpreted the first seal to them, and there was 6 more to go and they
would always want to know more and did come for more, the divine knowledge you could not
find anywhere else (Bailey and Darden, 104-107).
5.2. Vernon Howell’s exile to Palestine
Perry Jones liked Vernon so much that he wanted to become his father in law. On 18th
January 1984, Howell marries Perry Jones’s 14years-old-daughter Rachel (Marriage in Texas
21is legal at the age of 14 with parental consent). But at the same time Howell established a sexual
relationship with Lois Roden. “According to Marc Breault (pronounced “Bro”), a former
Branch Davidian who later provided much of the information used in the various federal
indictments against Howell, Howell openly bragged of his seduction of the 67-year-old Lois
Roden” (ibid., p. 74). People in the compound believed that the relationship was strictly
Howell’s way of strengthening his hold over the Branch Davidians, much as he had married
Rachel Jones to cement his relationship with Perry Jones” (ibid., p. 73-74).
George Roden found out about this affair, when by calling his mother at the only phone
at Mt. Carmel which was by her bed. Howell was the one who would answer the phone. George
returned to confront him with a demand for marriage between Howell and his mother. Lois
Roden admitted the affair to his sister and claimed she is very happy, but Howell denied this
accusation in front of George. Consequently, George started interrupting Howell’s bible studies
up to two times a day. Carrying on his belt his .357 Magnum revolver and frightening Howell’s
listeners’ (ibid., p. 74-75).
In June 1985 George Roden fulfilled his lifetime dream and seized the control of the
Branch. After a year and a half of harassing Howell and people at Mt. Carmel with his small
group of followers. With a usage of mailing lists and calling for an election for a new leader,
he was elected as the head of Davidians. He immediately changed the name of the compound
to “Rodenville” and forbid Howell and all his followers to entry. Howell was forced to relocate
and bought a property in the middle of woods near Texan town Palestine, where they set up a
camp. It is said that Howell was pleased with both the biblical correlation of the name and
unreachability of this location (ibid., p. 78). Given the above, we can see eager was George
Roden to overtake Vernon Howell and how much this meant to these people.
Living in the camp in the middle of the woods was rough, “ramshackle plywood boxes,
a tar-paper shack, and several rusted buses looked like a 60’s hippie retreat…toilet facilities
consisted of individual plastic buckets.” Sandra Gines, from Tribune-Herald newspapers
reported (ibid., p. 78). Bonnie Haldeman, Howell’s Mother who would go visit and live with
them there for short periods, claims that she enjoyed her times there. Spiritual Bible studies
under big pine trees with chairs in a circle. People lived in empty school buses, that were easily
heated by stoves in winter. “It was rustic, but it was fun” she says. (Haldeman, 34-35,53).
There and then Marc Breault, one of Howell’s favourites, noticed himself a shadier side
in this rising messiah. At that campsite where for the first time Vernon Howell had absolute,
unrivalled control over his small group of followers. “Breault told of eight-month-old babies
22beaten by Howell until their bottoms bled, for crying during Bible studies. He told of Howell
openly bragging of sleeping with uncomprehending preteen girls and adding the wives and
daughters of his followers to his harem. In fact, Breault independently confirmed many of the
claims originally made against Howell by George Roden some years earlier.” With Howell
controlling everything, everyone and no one to respond to, he started doing what he wanted.
His rule got tougher, his teaching more radical, his tactics more confrontational. And soon after
he began lusting for Mt. Carmel to dethrone his rival George Roden. These were made by
Breault and one of Howells’s wives that escaped his influence, Robyn Bunds (Bailey and
Darden, 78-79).
George’s victory turned bitter-sweet and he couldn’t enjoy the spoils of victory for very
long. His mother came front in 1985 and in McLennan County court again demanded her son
to be removed from the property, because he again violated eviction notice from the year of
1979. Since George was such annoyance to local lawyers by constant lawsuits against
everybody, 43 to be precise, none would work for him and he had to defend himself. George’s
testimony was: “Vernon Howell always has a so-called prophecy from the Bible when he wants
to seduce a woman and this is the way he defiled my mother and says that scriptures are
responsible, that is, God is responsible. His tactics are to keep the people under his control by
keeping them up all hours of the night and deprive them of their sleep and then the food to
scarceness and drilling them hour upon hour” Without evidence, this all sounded like lies and
slander, so there was no continuation. However, witnesses later, like Breault, confirmed these
claims (ibid., p. 79-80).
In all this chaos on 10th November 1986 Lois Roden dies, the reason is probably breast
cancer, but Spartan life, constant stress and lawsuits and two unsuccessful prophetic messages
also must have taken its toll. But another set of unpleasant news is brewing for George. The
school district requests their tax money, so another legal suit begins. (ibid., p. 81). In the United
States residents and communities pay tax their local school districts and from them the schools
are funded. But since Davidians since the start taught their children in the compound, they
didn’t feel the need to pay their taxes. Over the years it accumulated into this sum: “since 1968
they owed McLennan County 40,175 dollars and the Axtell Independent School District another
22,484 dollars a total of 62, 660” (Bailey and Darden, 81). If this money would not be paid, the
local sheriffs would evict and sell the property.
235.3. Vernon Howell versus George Roden
Mishandling of buried bodies in makeshift cemetery, and alleged tries of resurrction of
Anna Hughes a 20-year-old corpse of a deceased Davidian follower by George Roden, finally
gave Howell reason to go confront him. Armed and dressed in camouflage they went to go
search up Mt. Carmel for evidence. His followers, fully obedient at this point, did not oppose
this dangerous plan. And so, on Tuesday, 3rd November, 1987 George Roden and maintenance
worker Donald Williams, the only people in the compound at that time, were ambushed by 8
fully loaded “Palestinians” and a 45-minute-long gunfight ensued. Hundreds of rounds of
bullets flew through the air, but miraculously barely anyone was injured. The tree that the large
silhouette of Roden was hiding behind was riddled with bullets but held long enough until 11
cars of law enforcers arrived (ibid., p. 83).
Howell’s mother says it went like this: George Roden dig 20 years buried body of Anna
Hughes and challenged Howell to a miracle. Whoever of them resurrects her, becomes the next
prophet. Howell enraged by this went to Sherrif in Waco but was told that they can not act on
this without evidence. They armed themselves for protection, because they knew George always
carried a gun with him. Trying to get into the chapel to obtain some photographic evidence for
the police, they were spotted by George as they were sneaking around. He opened fire at them.
As it turned out George was outgunned so he quickly ran hide behind a skinny tree that he was
too big for. Soon after police came and arrested Howell and his group. (Hidleman, 55-58).
Howell and his band of complices waved at the officers and were genuinely surprised
when they got, disarmed, handcuffed and promptly sent to McLennan County Jail. All 8 of
them were charged with attempted murder and bond was set at 50 000 dollars for each. Roden
was quickly treated in hospital for small wounds on his right arm. He enjoyed all the media
attention that came with this gunfight and used it to spread his conspiracy theories and anti-
Howell message (Bailey and Darden, 85).
In a week “Palestinian” followers raised enough money to bail Howell and one of his
henchmen out of the cell. And somehow even gathered enough money to pay for the school tax
put upon Mt. Carmel as well. While at court they asked judge Logue to enforce the restraining
orders that were issued against Roden over the last decade. But in the end, it was his constant
abuse of a juridical system that got Roden into jail. After many unheard warnings to stop the
patience was gone, U.S. District Judge Walter S. Smith, Jr. has had enough with Roden
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