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Incident
McLennan County operated a convict farm (work camps) for prisoners convicted of misdemeanors. These farms were correctional facilities. Some operated under the county sheriff and some operated under the direction of a county agency answering to the County Judge and Commissioners’ Court. Many of the work camps for the state and counties leased out the convicts to work for private lessees.
On Wednesday, June 8, 1892, a gang of convicts were chopping cotton on the Steiner farm about 12 miles downriver of Waco, McLennan County, Texas, near the Brazos River. The river was swollen from flooding and the current was swift. One of the convicts, Sam Johnson, made a break for freedom and started swimming across the river. County Guard William H. (Will) Camp and the lessee, George Oglesby, were on horseback and started following the escapee in the river. Oglesby and Camp’s horses became tangled in debris and started struggling. Oglesby managed to make it back to the bank, but was too injured and exhausted to go back into the river to save Camp. Camp had his pistol in one hand and never released it as he struggled in the current. Oglesby offered to pay any of the convicts who would attempt to rescue Camp. Andy Wash went into the river in an effort to save Camp, but both Camp and Wash perished. Their bodies were found two days later floating near each other. The escapee, Sam Johnson, made it to the other side, but seeing the tragedy he had caused, swam back across the river and returned to the convict gang.
No personal information was discovered about Will Camp. The newspaper stated he was well known. His place of burial is unknown. Hopefully, future research will uncover more about this officer.
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Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
134 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Guard Camp served with the McLennan County Convict Farm.
Thank you for your service to the Waco community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
William is the only officer of McLennan County Convict Farm remembered here.
William is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
William is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1892, 2 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 97th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1892, 7 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 139th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1892, 15 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 139th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
When
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Wednesdays: 16.1%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at McLennan County Convict Farm.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-E
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