Austin cemetery chapel floor removed in search for graves

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Crews have removed the floor of the historic Oakwood Cemetery chapel in Austin in what’s expected to be part of an effort to identify buried remains discovered last fall.

The Austin American-Statesman (http://atxne.ws/2o6JXli ) reports about 50 people attended a meeting Saturday on how to proceed, such as contacting relatives when the deceased are identified.

The chapel was built in 1914 on what was then the nonwhite part of the segregated cemetery. A restoration project was halted in November when archaeologists working with contractors discovered human remains under the chapel.

An Austin Parks and Recreation Department official says 20 shaft stains have been discovered and 13 gravesites have been observed.

One meeting attendee, Barbara Scott, says she thinks any prominent African-Americans should be recognized with plaques or tours.

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Information from: Austin American-Statesman, http://www.statesman.com

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