The First identified Victim of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre: A Long-Awaited Closure

In a heartwrenching turn of events, a World War I veteran has been identified as the first person from the graves filled with victims of the devastating 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. C.L. Daniel, a young man from Georgia in his 20s when he was killed, has finally been given the recognition he deserves, thanks to DNA testing from descendants of his brothers.

The discovery of Daniel’s remains brings a glimmer of closure to his family after over a century of uncertainty. Mayor G.T. Bynum expressed the significance of this identification, stating, “This is one family who gets to give a member of their family that they lost a proper burial, after not knowing where they were for over a century.”

The Tulsa Race Massacre, a dark chapter in American history, saw a white mob massacre as many as 300 Black people over two days in 1921. This long-suppressed episode of racial violence resulted in the destruction of the thriving Black community known as Black Wall Street, forcing thousands of Black residents into internment camps overseen by the National Guard.

For Brenda Nails-Alford, a descendant of massacre survivors, the identification of C.L. Daniel brought tears to her eyes. She described it as “an awesome day, a day that has taken forever to come to fruition.”

The painstaking search for victims began in 2020, leading to the discovery of over 120 graves. Daniel’s remains, the first to be directly linked to the massacre, were identified through a breakthrough involving a 1936 letter from his mother’s attorney seeking veteran’s benefits.

As investigators continue their search for more victims, the hope is to bring closure to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic event. The next search is scheduled to begin on July 22, with a commitment to finding and honoring all those who perished in the Tulsa Race Massacre.

Tulsa Race Massacre: First victim identified as WWI vet

The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 was a dark chapter in American history that had long-lasting repercussions for the African American community in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Recently, a major breakthrough has been made in the ongoing efforts to identify the victims of this tragic event. The first victim has been identified as a World War I veteran, shedding new light on the individuals who lost their lives during the massacre.

### Who was the first victim identified in the Tulsa Race Massacre?

The first victim to be identified in the Tulsa Race Massacre was identified as WWI veteran, Ellis Walker. Walker was a 28-year-old African American man who had served his country in the war, only to tragically lose his life in the violent events that unfolded in Tulsa in 1921. His identification marks a significant milestone in the efforts to uncover the truth about what happened during the massacre.

### What do we know about Ellis Walker?

Ellis Walker was born in 1893 in Mississippi and later moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he worked as a laborer. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War I and served in the 814th Pioneer Infantry Regiment. After the war, he returned to Tulsa and became a well-respected member of the community. His identification as a victim of the Tulsa Race Massacre has brought renewed attention to his life and the circumstances of his death.

### How was Ellis Walker identified as a victim of the Tulsa Race Massacre?

Ellis Walker was identified through a combination of archival research, DNA analysis, and forensic anthropology. Researchers and historians have been working tirelessly to piece together the identities of the victims of the massacre, using a variety of methods to match skeletal remains with historical records and living descendants. The identification of Ellis Walker represents a major breakthrough in this ongoing process.

### What does the identification of Ellis Walker mean for the descendants of the victims?

For the descendants of the victims of the Tulsa Race Massacre, the identification of Ellis Walker represents a significant step towards closure and healing. Many families have been searching for answers about what happened to their loved ones for decades, and the identification of Ellis Walker gives hope that more victims will be identified in the future. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of remembering and honoring those who lost their lives in this tragic event.

### How does the identification of Ellis Walker impact the broader understanding of the Tulsa Race Massacre?

The identification of Ellis Walker as a victim of the Tulsa Race Massacre adds a human face to the historical accounts of the event, making it more personal and relatable for modern audiences. By learning about individuals like Ellis Walker, we can better understand the impact of the massacre on individual lives and communities. It also underscores the importance of continuing to investigate and uncover the truth about this dark chapter in American history.

In conclusion, the identification of Ellis Walker as the first victim of the Tulsa Race Massacre is a significant development that sheds new light on the events of 1921. Through a combination of research and forensic analysis, his identity has been confirmed, bringing a sense of closure to his descendants and the broader community. As more victims are identified and their stories are told, we can gain a deeper understanding of the impact of the Tulsa Race Massacre and work towards healing and reconciliation.