This is a reprint of original articles by Hugh Woolley, a longtime resident and community leader of Graceville. Woolley published these articles in The Graceville News more than 20 years ago.
Originally published in the November 15, 2001 edition of The Graceville News.
Otho Williams and his double first cousin Claude Tindel had many business ventures together.
To have double first cousins, brothers have to marry sisters. Readers may notice that in last week's article from the Eagle spelled Mr. Williams' name Othar and this week I will spell his name Otho. This is the way Toostie Williams, Mr. Otho's daughter, preferred that it be spelled. I have two college degrees but my mother who finished the eighth grade could spell me under the table. She was taught from the ole Blue Back Speller, as many of those who were born in the 1800's. Sometimes old ways are the best methods.
Getting back to Mr. Otho. He and Mr. Claude were both born in Holmes County near the Poplar Springs Community. Mr. Otho lived from 1896-1969 and Mr. Claude lived from 1897-1976. Mr. Otho was slightly older than Mr. Claude. Mr. Williams parents were Joseph Sander Williams and Fannie Rebecca Tindel.
Mr. Otho first married Gladys Sanes. Their children were Nash, Tootsie and Buddy. When the family moved to Avon Park, FL, just north of Seabring. FL, misfortune overcame the family and Gladys died and left these very young children and Mr. Williams. Tootsie tells me this story. Mr. Otho had Gladys body shipped back to North Florida for burial. He also caught the same train with the small children. Buddy was a wee baby at that time. Buddy began to fret and cried a good bit. If you mingle with the public enough in this old world, you will always see somebody put their foot in their mouth. Buddy was crying and fretting. One, not so smart lady said out loud, "Where is that baby's Momma and why ain't she here looking after this child?" Mr. Otho sadly replied. "She is up front in a box. We are taking her to North Florida for burial." The atmosphere of the whole train suddenly changed, and Mr. Otho and his three children received special attention the rest of the trip. Tootsie said it always made her sad to hear a train whistle blow. Her daddy told her why.
Mr. Otho later remarried to Mazah Dykes. Mazah had two children by a previous marriage. Their names were Odessa and J.I. Dykes.
Mr. Otho, Mr. Claude, Mr. A.A. Hodges and others would buy up livestock and ship to Montgomery by rail car. Joe Bill Hodges and others tell me about the livestock pens along the R.R. These were collecting pens.
In 1946, these double first cousins organized the Tindel Williams Livestock market, and their sons Davis and Buddy were involved in running the market. When I came here in 1948, it was said to be the largest market between Montgomery and Ocala, FL. It wasn't unusual to have a sale of over 1000 animals.
It wasn't out of the ordinary to get some of the market people to visit the farm and quote you a price on the livestock. Sometimes they would give a guaranteed price.
One day Mr. Otho went to my farm. I said, "They are all for sale except that Angus, he is going in my freezer." Mr. Williams replied. "Woolley, if you take an old man's word you will win in two ways. Sell the Angus and eat that Half Jersey and you will have more money and a better eating." I followed his advice and found it to be true. He was known to steer young people in the right direction. I liked Mr. Otho.
PHOTO CUTLINE: ISSAC HORTON, WALTON COLLINS, BROWN TOOLE, BUDDY WILLIAMS AND MORE MELONS - These are from the third clipping, but still the load averages 31 pounds, and that's good.
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