About the Iconoclast
The Lone Star Iconoclast began publication in December 2000, as a weekly community publication serving Crawford, Texas. An editorial advancing the candidacy of John Kerry in 2004, erupted in considerable controversy since George W. Bush claimed Crawford as his vacation home. This led to boycotts and threats, but cost The Iconoclast many local ties. The publication caught on nationally and internationally, however, and it has evolved through the years.
At one stage it became a tabloid, with emphasis on politics and the peace movement, publishing hard copy editions. These were later transformed into “flip pages” which are accessible as pdf files on this website.
Currently, the publication, owned by Smith Media, Inc. (its original company) and is published online as news and advertising content, with readers nationwide and internationally. It is generally updated daily, with no subscription charges and registration log-ins.
The Iconoclast welcomes banner advertising that links to the client’s website or to a display advertisement published on this site. Advertising is placed through one of the Iconoclast’s special section websites, The Lone Star Universe, at highly affordable rates for a huge audience. When at that site, click on the main menu item at the top “To Advertise.”
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: Any error or erroneous reflection upon the character, standing, or reputation of any person, firm, or corporation which may appear in this newspaper will be gladly corrected upon being brought to the attention of the management.
History
Who Was William Cowper Brann?
The Lone Star Iconoclast got its name from a publication that was founded in Waco over a hundred years ago by one of the most intriguing writers of his era – William Cowper Brann.
Although there are vast differences in the Iconoclast of today and Brann’s Iconoclast of yesteryear, the modern-day editors hope to bring to the worldwide web a slate of ideas that will inspire citizens to not only think about issues, but act upon their convictions.
While the editors of the new Iconoclast do not pretend to agree with Brann’s stand on various issues, especially where religion and race is concerned, the tone of his ponderings can find themselves useful in unraveling modern-age institutions that live and prosper at the supreme disadvantage of common citizens.
Readers might not always agree with what the editors choose to champion and the wordage that is used as persuasion; however, the editors intend to offer varying viewpoints that might tend to balance, reinforce, or expand upon ideas and ideals.
You’ve heard it. There is more than one way to skin a cat. Actually, there are hundreds. The new Iconoclast will challenge status-quo monopolies of thought and illuminate new perspectives that were there all along but which denizens have been too blinded to see.
It is fitting to explain briefly to the world just who William Cowper Brann was and how he came to an untimely death in a gunfight in downtown Waco, just a few miles from Crawford, over a hundred years ago.
Brann Comes To Waco
When Brann moved to Waco in November, 1894, he was broke and worked for the Waco Daily News. When he started the Iconoclast shortly thereafter, he described the platform of his Iconoclast in its first edition:
“The Iconoclast makes war upon no religion of whatsoever name or origin that has fostered virtue or added aught to the happiness of the human race. It is simply an independent American journal, exercising its constitutional prerogative to say what seemeth unto it best, without asking any man’s permission.”
However, it wasn’t long before Brann found himself embroiled in a fight with Baylor University, first taking exception to a lecturer who had no use for Catholicism and later exercising his wit and pen to unravel a scandal that had originated at that university involving the seduction and impending motherhood of a student from Brazil.
Time passed and Brann’s quips and opinions took hold nationwide. The circulation of his monthly Iconoclast grew by leaps and bounds. People wanted to see what he would write next.
The fires burned hot at Baylor as Brann continued to pound out verbiage that was none too complimentary, and at one point students actually abducted Brann, tied him up with the intention of tarring and feathering him, and demanded that he leave town.
At a meeting following the kidnapping event, a testimonial was signed by those involved stating…. “We are familiar with existing conditions, and we denounce the publication in question as grossly slanderous and deserving the condemnation of honest men and women.”
Brann responded, “I am well aware that some of the noblest men and women of Texas have been students at Baylor, but in my opinion their nobility is not due to Baylor but to themselves.”
Bad blood between Brann and Baylor students and administrators continued, culminating in a gunfight between Brann and a Baylor backer named Tom Davis on the streets of downtown Waco.
The two men shot it out, each mortally wounding the other. With the death of Brann came the demise of his version of The Iconoclast.
The complete story of Brann and his odd-but-popular publication can be found in various books and essays. One book, written by Charles Carver and published by the University of Texas Press, is a good resource. Much about Brann is also available on the internet. Simply type in “iconoclast” on your search engine.
The complete story of Brann’s Iconoclast is interesting reading.
