Tulsa Exhumations Uncover Third Set of Remains from 1921 Race Massacre

State officials announce discovery of remains with bullet wounds, excavations continue at Oaklawn Cemetery.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: On Friday, city officials announced the discovery of a third set of human remains with bullet wounds, as part of their ongoing 1921 Graves Investigation. The body, like the two previously discovered, was found in an adult-sized coffin and sent to an on-site osteology lab.

This latest find was near Burial 3, known as the "Original 18" area, where 18 Black men, victims of the Tulsa Race Massacre, are believed to be buried. This fourth excavation has already exposed 40 previously undetected graves.

This discovery comes less than a month after the first identified victim, C.L. Daniel, a World War 1 U.S. Army Veteran, was confirmed.

The identity of the first exhumed body was confirmed late last month as C.L. Daniel, using DNA from his next of kin. Daniel was not listed in the Oklahoma Commission's 2001 Report on the massacre.

Tulsa Massacre, 1921

The Tulsa Race Massacre took place on May 31 and June 1, 1921, when a white mob decimated Greenwood, the thriving Black section of Tulsa. Over 1,000 homes and businesses in what was known as Black Wall Street were burned and looted, an incident considered one of the worst racial violence incidents in US history.

Tulsa is now making efforts to revitalize "Black Wall Street" and confront its dark past.

Tulsa has implemented a master plan to ensure that Black Tulsans, descendants of the massacre, and future generations benefit from the redevelopment of the area.

1921 Graves Investigation

The city of Tulsa began its investigation in 2018, with the goal of identifying and connecting the present with those lost over a century ago. Four sites were identified as potential locations for the remains of victims: Oaklawn Cemetery, Newblock Park, an area near Newblock Park, and Rolling Oaks Memorial Gardens (formerly Booker T. Washington Cemetery).

Links:

• https://www.cityoftulsa.org/press-room/major-discovery-made-in-1921-graves-investigation-c-l-daniel-confirmed-as-first-victim-identified-from-city-s-yearslong-investigation/
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