Ron Gillory says he may have found his great-great-great-grandfather buried under several tons of asphalt.
Charles Gottschalk committed suicide over 125 years ago “with a bullet through his heart,” wrote The Galveston Daily News in 1885; he was not allowed to be buried in a church cemetery. He was placed in his family’s cemetery, which was located in the “southwestward portion” of his family’s property, according to an 1889 lawsuit between members of the family.
The property and the graves were situated beneath what is now the Downtown Daley Lot, which provides parking for University of Houston Downtown students, Gillory said.
“(The parking lot) is so big. It totally encompasses the original property,” Gillory said. “I don’t think my ancestors are resting well having cars parked on top of their graves.”
Other members of Gillory’s family started the search for the graves, but Gillory has since become more involved.
“The reason we got into this was that there’s a trust fund. Part of the requirements on the trust was to make sure everyone’s grave has a marker. That’s why this came up,” Gillory said. “There’s three sites they’ve been looking for, this is one of them that they’ve found pretty good records on.”
The graves had long since fallen into disrepair from a dispute within the family. They may have been unmarked when the parking lot was constructed, but deed records and oral family history verify the location of the graveyard, said Gillory.
Even if the graves were marked, Gillory says, he would not be surprised if the previous land owners had destroyed the grave markers to increase the value of the land.
Gillory is worried that further construction may destroy the graves.
“I want (the University) to respect the cemetery,” he said.
news@thedailycougar.com
thats your second home!
i can happily say that UHD is my second home!
like ive said if it were up to you you'd live in UHD:)
i would never leave UHD! I take pride in my university!
you love it and you should be proud from what you have told me its an amazing university!
Note that the headline has been changed to UHD. The Daily Cougar should indicate that this update has been made and a previous version of the headline incorrectly stated UH.
UHD is the best.
UHD is the best.
UHD is the best.
Let's be honest, it does NOT matter if you go to UH or UHD. This sensationalism of schools is partially the reason why some people enroll in classes and never graduate, or why some graduate and owe THOUSANDS in loans. Did they REALLY get a better education?? Since that UHD student wasn't inconvenienced with being packed like a sardine in a can or having leadership focused on boosting a football program featuring ONE player, isn't it possible that he/she got a better education. There is a perception that students at the UHDs, UTSAs or etc., are receiving a lesser education but is that really true?? I have been in both a UHD and UH classroom and the UHD classroom honestly looked better, with less people breathing down your neck. Focus on the EDUCATION and stop worrying about the NAME! In rare situations does it matter which school is listed on your degree. That name came with a dollar sign.