Officials stop excavation of possible riot burial site

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Officials have decided to postpone indefinitely the excavation of a site that may hold victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot. "In a way, the weather we've had the last few days

Tuesday, February 1st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Officials have decided to postpone indefinitely the excavation of a site that may hold victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot. "In a way, the weather we've had the last few days has been a fortunate break," state archeologist Robert Brooks said Monday. "It's given everybody a chance to stand back and reassess the evidence."

Archeologists, working under the auspices of the Tulsa Race Riot Commission, were scheduled to begin digging up a 3-by-6-foot sliver of Oaklawn Cemetery today. The excavation was to determine if an area identified by witnesses and sounding equipment might be a common grave holding as many as 12 people killed in the riot. But last week's snow storm, unfavorable weather forecasts and the discovery of records indicating that graves unrelated to the riot might be located in the suspected area combined to convince Brooks that a delay was in all parties' best interests.

The sounding equipment can tell searchers only that an approximately 15 square foot pit probably was dug on the location. It does not indicate what, if anything, is buried there. Three weeks ago, Tulsa Assistant Attorney Paul Prather discovered records indicating someone named Ed Baker was buried in the center of the suspected site less than two weeks before the riot.

Baker's grave, if it is where it is supposed to be, is not marked. Initially, authorities said they could work around the Baker grave. But Brooks said the grave's very existence is reason to re-examine the site. He said there will be more tests, and it is unclear when or if the excavation will occur. The commission's authorization expire sFeb. 7, the first day of the Legislative session. If that authorization is not extended, the excavation could be dropped.

Also to be considered is the fact that the commission went through its $50,000 appropriation months ago and has spent $25,000 in Oklahoma Historical Society funds, said Bob Blackburn, commission chairman and OHS executive director. The commission is scheduled to hold its last formal meeting at 1:00 p.m. Friday on the Oklahoma State University-Tulsa campus. At that time, a preliminary report due Feb. 7 will be written.