Jan 7, 2025 Story by: Editor
The family of C.L. Daniel, a Black man who was killed in Tulsa, Oklahoma over 100 years ago, is now working to bring his remains home to be buried alongside his family in the Wesley Chapel Methodist Cemetery.
Andrew Poythress, the great-great nephew of Daniel, shared, “He’s been in Tulsa for 104 years. It’s time to bring him home.”
Daniel, a Newnan resident and World War I veteran, had sent a letter to the Department of Defense requesting benefits to return home to his mother, Amanda Daniel, in Newnan. However, he stopped in Tulsa on his way home in 1921, which tragically led to his death.
At that time, Tulsa was home to Greenwood, a flourishing Black community often referred to as “Black Wall Street,” known for its businesses, schools, hospitals, churches, and newspapers. Sadly, Daniel’s arrival in Tulsa coincided with the infamous Tulsa Race Massacre on May 31, 1921, when a white mob destroyed Greenwood, killing hundreds and burying the victims in mass graves. Daniel was among those killed and buried.
For decades, the massacre’s victims were identified only as “Known Only to God” on headstones. However, after nearly a century, the city of Tulsa began investigating the mass graves, and Daniel was identified using DNA testing. This identification marked a breakthrough for his family, as Daniel became the first victim identified.
The process of discovering their long-lost relative shocked the family. Angela Poythress, Daniel’s great-great niece, received a call in May 2023 about the connection between her family and the massacre. She said, “It said my great-grandfather’s name, my grandmother’s name, my mother’s name.” She was initially unsure of the connection but later received an email confirming their ties to the massacre. After sharing DNA test results, Andrew Poythress, Angela’s brother, was also confirmed to be a match.
The revelation of their family’s connection to the massacre prompted a deep re-evaluation of their history. As Andrew stated, “This story and this journey really has touched everybody in the whole family. It gives you that sense, now you know who you are. Now you know a little better what makes you who you are.”
Angela added that Daniel, the youngest of seven siblings, lied about his age to enlist in World War I at just 15. He was likely under 20 when he was killed. His mother, Amanda, fought tirelessly to find his remains. Angela explained, “She reached out to so many people. She had a congressman who was keeping up with the situation, and one of the local attorneys was helping her trying to locate her son.”
In November 2023, a memorial service was held for the victims of the massacre, and Daniel’s name was the only one listed on a headstone at the cemetery.
Since then, the family has been working to bring Daniel home. Andrew shared, “The city of Tulsa said they would be willing to help. The Veterans Administration, they would transfer his body from Tulsa to here.”
However, the Wesley Chapel Cemetery where Amanda Daniel is buried has fallen into neglect. Angela said, “Right now we just need help getting that cemetery up to par, so that he can be brought home.”
The family has had positive discussions with the county about restoring access to the cemetery. Andrew remarked, “Not only would they be bringing home a native son, but they’d be bringing home a World War I veteran.”
Coweta County Administrator Michael Fouts communicated that the county would evaluate the request and discuss it with the Board of Commissioners. The family hopes to bring Daniel home by summer 2025.
Andrew expressed, “I always say even if something happens in tragedy, it can end on a positive note. It’s bittersweet.” Source: Time Herald
