'Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum announced today the first identification of a Tulsa Race Massacre victim
since the City started the physical part
of its 1921 Graves Investigation five years ago.
The identification is a man by the name of C. L. Daniel, a World War 1 U.S. Army Veteran whose next of kin’s DNA is tied with Burial 3 from the 2021 excavation at Oaklawn Cemetery.
The discovery is the first to reveal the name of a Tulsa Race Massacre victim
outside of those previously noted in the Oklahoma Commission’s 2001 Report.
Among those names were Reuben Everett and Eddie Lockard,
whose headstones are the only known markers of massacre victims
and are located near the grave that C. L. is connected to."
'C.L. Daniel was a veteran who served our country in World War I, who was killed in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, and whose family
did not know where he had been buried for the last 103 years - until this week,” Mayor G.T. Bynum said.
“I want to express Tulsa’s profound gratitude to everyone who brought us to today - from the local historians and the leaders who developed the 2001 State Commission Report to our team of experts, who are pouring their hearts and minds into this search today.
I want to thank my colleagues on the Tulsa City Council and the citizens of Tulsa for continuing to fund this search. I hope this generation of Tulsans can appreciate that you helped this family find their relative after he was missing for 103 years.”
"While the circumstances of C. L.’s death are unknown, his connection to the Tulsa Race Massacre was confirmed this week
when Intermountain Forensics, the laboratory assisting the City with DNA and genealogical analysis, was able to recover records from the National Archives.
Contained in the records was the most convincing piece of evidence tying him to the Tulsa Race Massacre
– a letter from C. L.’s family attorney written to the U.S. Veteran’s Administration on behalf of C. L.’s mother regarding C. L.’s survivor benefits."
"Not everything that is faced can be changed,”
Tulsa Race Massacre Descendant Brenda Nails-Alford said.
“But nothing can be changed until it is faced.
Just keep living, and you’ll understand.”
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Brenda Nails-Alford grew up knowing all about the entrepreneurial spirit of her family.
"I grew up knowing about our family businesses and of course was very proud of that," said Brenda Nails-Alford.
Her grandparents, James and Vasinora Nails, along with her great uncle Henry Nails, ran a number of businesses in Greenwood.
They owned "Nails Brothers Shoes" – along with a dance pavilion, skating rink, and a limo and taxi service,"
Brenda says she while she was well aware of the businesses, she had no idea of her family's connection to the Tulsa Race Massacre.
Brenda says in 2003, she was notified about a lawsuit for reparations for survivors and descendants of survivors of the massacre. That's how she found out her family had survived the atrocities in Tulsa. Brenda tells FOX23′S Naomi Keitt, the news devastated her.
her family legacy is all over the city including a mural at Lacy Park that depicts her grandparents and
her aunt Dr. Cecelia Nails Palmer.
"I was always so very proud of her. I was in awe of her. I always felt like I was around a queen knowing I was around her because she was just so elegant but very very down to earth," said Brenda.
Dr. Palmer was just 2 years old when the massacre happened in 1921 and survived it with her family.
She went on to achieve several accomplishments including being the first black faculty member at the University of Tulsa."
"In spite of what we go through in life, never give up. Keep moving forward.
That is what they taught us
and that is what we will continue to do," said Brenda.'
"Her father described her at age 15 as "singularly bold, somewhat imperious, and active of mind. Her desire of knowledge is great, and her perseverance in everything she undertakes almost invincible."
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