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It was two years ago, when
I started my search to solve the mystery - a search for the truth about a mass
grave located in Gonzales, Texas.
Most folks are probably getting tired of hearing me talk about it; you might say
that I am obsessed with the old burial site. But I'll not quit until I know who
is in that shallow grave, situated within two blocks of downtown Gonzales.
I've been in contact with some individuals from the Texas Historical Commission
over the past two years and they have promised me that they will investigate the
site. But again I ask, "When?" They tell me that as soon as the excavation is
finished on La Salle's old fort, then, they will come to Gonzales. We'll see.
For those who
may not remember, I came across an article, in a 1905 edition of The Gonzales
Inquirer that contained information about a mass grave. It seems that human bones
were discovered about three feet under ground by men who were doing some excavation
work. The workers were digging a trench for the foundation of a new brick warehouse.
The trench was 30 feet long and 2 feet deep. It ran in a north to south
direction. The men found pieces of ribs, skulls, and thighbones. The Inquirer
reporter at the scene estimated the count at 19 skeletons. Only one skull was
found to be totally intact and it was placed on display at the newspaper office
for a time. Many
of the folks who observed the site agreed that the grave must have been hastily
dug and the bodies were simply thrown into the hole. They were not situated in
any kind of order. Seems the gravediggers (murderers?) were in a big hurry.
The Inquirer described it this way: "In one place were noticed two skulls lying
close together, the remains extending in opposite directions, while above both
were seen the remains of others."
Some folks around town speculated that the people in the grave were slaves; others
said they might have been French or Mexican soldiers - some people believed the
poor souls to be Indians. But no one dared to mention the possibility that the
skeletons could have been the remains of Yankee soldiers.
Now before you say I'm crazy, think about this for a moment. The local folks estimated
that the remains were about 40 years old. That would date the old grave to around
1865. It is very interesting to note that in 1868, Union troops were occupying
Gonzales - they were camped on Heroes Square, two blocks from the site of the
mass grave.
Numerous complaints had been made by the local citizenry
about the bullying and destructive traits of the boys in blue. In February of
1868, two armed Yankee soldiers went so far as to commit murder. They were having
some sort of quarrel with a doctor from Belmont, who was staying at the Keyser
House hotel. They shot the doctor in broad daylight, in front of several witnesses.
The soldiers were eventually arrested, but they were tried and released by the
Army. I guess in those days, it wasn't considered a crime to murder Southerners.
I keep asking
myself one question; considering the toughness, pride, and legacy of the citizens
of Gonzales, Texas; would they have let the soldiers get away with murder? It's
something to consider.
One thing is certain; we will never know who is buried in the shallow grave until
folks who are trained to do those things investigate it. And as for my speculation
on the Yankee soldiers, I'll just say that if I ever find out that some of those
troops stationed here in 1868 mysteriously disappeared… well, I just might grab
a shovel. It's
time for the mystery surrounding this old gravesite to be solved. The remains
will continue to deteriorate until they completely disappear. And I think we owe
it to those buried in that place to find out the truth of their demise.
Lone
Star Diary
October, 2000
Published with author's
permission.
See Gonzales,
Texas | 
