Locals seem to be unconcerned
Old newspaper describes finding of human remains
in mass grave at Gonzales, Texas 
By Murray Montgomery

It was four 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.

One of the things that really surprises me is that even some of the locals in present-day Gonzales, also seem to want to ignore the possibility of a mass grave in their town. Maybe, just maybe, information has been passed down over generations that there could be something there – something that could embarrass the town.

For those who may not remember, I came across an article in a 1905 edition of the local newspaper, The Gonzales Inquirer, which 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 at Gonzales 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.