A recent comment on our blog mentioned the “Ballad of Otto Wood.” Well, we don’t have the sound clip up yet (though the Southern Folklife Collection does have several versions of the ballad in their collection), but the NC Collection does have the Life History of Otto Wood: Inmate, North Carolina State Prison, 1926.
Wood, who had been in and out of jails since he was seven years old and was infamous for his numerous (successful) escape attempts, wrote his life history while serving a thirty-year sentence for killing a man in a pawnshop robbery in 1923. He thought that the book would help “some fallen mortal to a higher life.” Well, it may have helped others to a higher life, but it sure didn’t help him. Over the next four years he escaped from Central Prison, was wounded and arrested again during an attempted burglary in Indiana, returned to Central Prison, escaped again, and was finally killed on December 31, 1930, in a shootout with police in Salisbury.
I can’t wait to hear the ballad.
I believe the gun used in that shootout in Salisbury is owned by the Rowan Museum. Thanks, Jason.
Otto Wood was my great, great uncle. I am trying to find a copy of this book but I am not having much luck.
My friend has this book, excellent condition. He loves it, I read it.
He was offered $75 by a dealer but he said no. He may part with it
for a relative but he would ask at least the 75 I would think.
Wilkesboro nc has a news paper THE RECORD thay are selling THE LIFE HISTORY OF OTTO WOOD (the complete autobiography written while he was in prison) plus the new cd featuring the ballads of otto wood and tom dooley the book and cd is $6 at the office or @12.00 plus 2.50 shipping and handling by mail (the record p.o. box 1061 n.wilkesboro nc 28659 hope that helps
Otto Wood was my great, great uncle too, and I have a copy of the orginal book!
Otto Wood was also my great great uncle. Laura I will find a way to contact you by phone. I hope to hear from you. Jason I have never heard of you but if Otto is connected the both of us, I hope to one day meet you. I will be checking this every so offten to see a hopeful response. I would really like to find out any information either of you two have.
This is to Jason, David and Laura. Otto Wood was my grandfathers Uncle. I’m not sure what that makes me but I’d love to hear from any of you. My e-mail
is aahz2323@yahoo.com. I’ve been trying to amass some family history and would like to compare notes if you have any.
Otto Wood was my Grandfather. He died before my mother was born. She had a twin brother. His name was Rubin Otto Wood. My mother is Ruby Olivia Wood. Their Grand Parents raised them after their mother died, Ceila Byrd. Ceila was married Robert Wood who was Otto’s brother that died in 1918 of the Bird Flu right before he was to go into World War I. Celia father is William Payton Byrd buried at Round Mountian Church off of Hwy 268. Many of the Byrd and Wood relatives are buried there. I have a copy of his book.
My family has always told me that Otto Wood was a relative. I grew up in the Millers Creek area of Wilkes Co. My uncle had given me a copy of the autobiography many years ago. Still have it in my desk.
If anyone else has a copy of this book and wants to sell it PLEASE contact me, I MUST have it!!!!
johnheneghan@earthlink.net
I cannot claim to be a relative of Otto Wood but I will tell you what I know. What I say was told to me by my grandmother. My grandfather was in Salisbury on the day Otto Wood was killed. Supposedly the Rowan County Sherrif gave my grandfather the only unfired bullet from his hand gun when he shot Wood. I have also read Wood’s autobiography many years ago. The book and the bullet have long since been lost. All I can offer is what I was told many years ago. Wood came from the Wilkesboro area. This much I remember. I have actually stood on the street in Salisbury where the gunfight took place. The story was that NC Liscense plates were being sold in a building within a block where Wood was killed and the belief was that Wood intended to rob them. This was a cash business and Wood stood to gain a great deal of money. The story was that the Sherrif recognized Wood and approached him and said “Buddy let me see your arm.” Wood had part of one arm amputated. Wood yelled in response “Here’s my arm” and came up with a loaded gun. He died in the resulting gunfight.
My g-grandmother was Alice Ann Staley, sister of Ellen Staley Wood. We heard the story of Otto Wood ever since I can remember from the older generations. I would love to know more about Otto’s immediate family. I know he had a sister named Mozelle who lived to be over 100 years old. Can anyone tell me anything else about his siblings? His arm is reportedly buried on our family cemetery in Wilkes in the family plot.
My Great Grandfather, Chief Rankin (he was the Chief of the Salisbury Police, not a sherrif), was the man who shot Otto Wood. I was also told that he approached Otto Wood and asked him to show his hand. Otto pulled out a loaded gun and forced his way into the police car. Chief Rankin somehow got out of the car, and a gunfight ensued. I was told the gunfight lasted for hours before Wood was eventually shot. My grandmother said that she remembered picking glass shards out of her father’s hair that night from the car and shop windows. There is a plaque in downtown Salisbury where the fight took place. I’ve also read the original newspaper article from Salisbury, which corroborates this story.
Otto Harrison Wood was my 3rd cousin. His mother, Amelia Ellen Staley Wood was my Grandfather’s (Treliss Edgar Call) aunt. My mother was 10 years old when Otto died (she will be 90 yrs. old June 22, 2010) and remembers him coming to her parent’s house in Coaldale WV. She said he kept his bad hand tucked inside his bibbed overalls. My family and I have been going to his grave consistantly for the past 5 years in Coaldale WV. We were there yesterday cleaning the gravesite and putting flowers on his and Aunt El’s graves. They are buried side by side with one tombstone. My e-mail address is ipul4vatek@aol.com if anyone would like to exchange information. I would love to know all I can about Otto.
Attn Lynn Lawson:
I tried to contact you via email but have not heard back from you. Please contact me at scrapnshopper@yahoo.com.
Rita Loney, you were talking about Otto’s sister Mozelle. Well She happened to be my great x2 grandmother. She had several children. Her husband statred a mining supply business in a little town called Coaldell WV. I’ve heard a few of her stories about Otto. Also from my grandmother, her daughter, Lena. She lived to be 104. She died in Bluefield Wv, at Bluefield Regional Medical center. She loved her brother and wouldn’t say much, except that he was like a Robin Hood type person. There was always some dispute between the offical stories and what her stories to me were. Don’t know much about Otto, but I know more about Mozelle.
Okay…I think I need to get with many of you to do my family tree. My Grandfather (Thomas Lee Hayes also known as “pug” as a young boy) was Otto’s cousin. Grandpa passed away last year but if you asked him he always knew who Otto was even with Alzheimer’s. My grandfather’s other cousin’s (Wanda and Frankie) had a copy of the orginal book and it is now lost.
ATTN Michael Stassin: Would you please contact me re: Mozelle? My aunt knew her.
Hello all I am Otto’s great grand daughter. My grand father is Ruben Wood and my Father is Ruben Dennis Wood. My family has a copy of the book, which maybe the actual book he wrote, I’m not sure. It has been many years since I have seen it, but I know either my mom or sister has it… I don’t really know many people from my family on this side. If any one would like to contact me they can at woodmaggie@ymail.com
Del Slifer and Maggie Wood, Ruby Olivia, and Ruben Otto Wood was my 1st. cousin. Their mother Ceila Byrd Wood was my aunt. Her parents William Peyton Byrd, and Mary Elizabeth Byrd Byrd was my grandparents. My father John Thomas Byrd was the youngest of their 12 children, all born in Wilkes County, North Carolina. I remember both Ruby and Ruben as a child and young boy. Ruben lived in the High Point area where he was brought up.
Great story of otto wood. Need to know more about him and his family. Contact me please: John Forstner
A stage play about the life of Otto Wood will be presented at The Record Park in North Wilkesboro in June 2011. The play is based on his autobiography and interviews conducted by The Record, the newspaper in North Wilkesboro, N.C.
We’d love to hear more about Otto’s family. Several of the interviews conducted (mostly in 2004) were with relatives. Notably, a cousin, Thurmond Sparks (now deceased), had many interesting stories from his childhood memories of Otto.
From the Salisbury Post
http://www.salisburypost.com/News/123110-wineka-column-otto-wood-qcd
Recent marker to Wood’s death, also from Salisbury Post:
http://www.salisburypost.com/News/121510-Hardiman-Building-SIDEBAR-qcd
And about the shootout: a recent article in the Salisbury Post
http://www.salisburypost.com/News/123110-otto-wood-sidebar-qcd
My grandfather was made what he was by circumstanse of life…He was truely a “Robinhood” of his time…I hate that people don’t look behind the man or his family…If you knew the real story, you would think differently….Kathy Wood Choate his grand daughter…..I am alive and well……………………………………………and Maggie wood knows NOTHING….she has not even met her real grand father, and has never known anything about her family…I am her Aunt whom IS the REAL grand daughter..Who is she to clam ANY THING!! HEAR ME MAGGIE??? I SEE YOU!!!!
I am amazed at the relatives I never knew I had…I am the Grand daughter of Henry “Otto” Wood..My Dad was Reuben Otto Wood..I have been researching my Grand Dad’s life since I was a child in the 1960′s..I would love to hear from any one who has any info., clips, stories, anything….ESPECIALLY his original book!!! You can contact me at choatopia@yahoo.com or 843-303-2630…If any one has any info..on my Grand Ma “Ceila “Byrd” Wood, that would be appreciated also…Thanks Kathy
Otto Wood was married to my 2nd cousin 2x removed Celia A Byrd. i am trying to do my family tree and any helps will be greatly appreciated..i can be contacted at craftsbyroy@yahoo.com
I am directing the stage play about Otto Wood this summer. I would love for Ottos family here to be able to join us for opening night/weekend of the show. Would love to see what you think. He truly WAS a Robinhood of the time. And in reading his autobiography, he reminds me of alot of my family. He was a person with a good heart, no matter how tough he was on the outside. We have a FB page dedicated to him- please check it out and leave some stories for us!
Thanks! Heather
gs.momof2@yahoo.com
Also, if any of you men folk related to Otto would like to be IN the play, it would be great to have you!
I am somehow related to Otto Wood, how, I’m not for sure. My grandmother’s mother before she was married was Beatrice Wood. At all of my family reunions, they talk about him a lot.
My dad is a 4th cousin to Otto. He might want to be in or attend the play. When is it? Thanks. Roger Marsh
Doc Watson sang a song about my Grand Father Otto Wood. It is really good! My sister sent it to me on a CD.
OTTO WOOD WAS MY DADS BROTHERS BOY SO I AM TOLD I WOULD VERY MUCH LOVE TO HAVE THE BOOK HE WROTE AS WELL PLEASE CONTACT ME AT MY E-MAIL ADDRESS CALL ME AT 704 873 2966 THANKS
I just found a copy of this book. Evidently, my great-grandmother owned it. The front and back cover is off of the book (I still have them with the book) and all of the pages are there.
I never knew about Otto until tonight.
I am working on a family history and my 87 year old mother recently told me that she believed that her grandmother Sarah Staley Johnston (1854 – 1931) was a sister to Otto’s mother. I was hoping someone might be able to confirm for me that Otto’s mother had a sister named Sarah… Thanks… preachermike1611@centurylink.net
I have a copy of “Life History of Otto Wood” It is not the same as the above book, it is older. The cover is a different photo and also says “PRICE 50″
The book is from 1931 and is stapled together.
Otto Wood was also my great great uncle and I would love to get a copy of the Ballad of Otto Wood on a 45 rpm as well as a copy of the book.
Attn: Mike
Sent you a personal email re: Sarah R Staley Johnston. Would like to correspond.
Hello All!
I’m Maggie Wood the great grand daughter of Otto Wood. Last year my aunt Kathy Wood posted about how she did not like how I have posted a message on here about being Otto’s great grand daughter. Well I just ran across it and would like to say that it is sad thing when blood can feel such hatred toward their own family. Well shame on her, but she can not help it, because she is a crazy lady. I wish peace to be among all of us, family or not. I have enjoyed reading every ones post and hope to read more.
Maggie Elizabeth Wood
i am related to otto but i dont know how i think im a cousin and i am doing a bio shoe box on otto and i was needing some infromation out of his book
Hi I sang the song Otto Wood last night at a show with my fiddle player, we play old time music over here in the UK. Ive been singing the song Otto Wood since the late 60s early 70s, got it off a Doc Watson LP. Just been reading all the comments and stuff writen on this site about Otto Wood fasinating,gonna read it all again. I have three recordings of this song one by the Red Fox Chasers 1928/31 writen by Cranford and Thompson which is nothing like the song that Doc did or the version by the Alberarle Ramblers, can some body help me on this. Im a bit history hungry on this.
Hi my name was Mary Ann Wood. I was Reuben Dennis Wood’s first wife. We married in 1971. We were married for 5 years. We had a daughter Pamela Anastasia. I remember Rueben Otto Wood very well. He and his wife Kathleen would talk often about Otto Wood. And I always wondered about the stories I heard. Although Rueben was not around much when he did come home…much was said. I remember his twin Ruby too. Kathleen was faithful to Reuben she did not believe in divorce and so…even through the years that she was alone she would pray and believe for her husband. Before he died he did accept the Lord Jesus into his life. Prayers are answered in mysteries ways. Before Kathleen died..she was in the hospital and my daughter and I went to visit her where we found out that all of her daughter-in-laws had come to see her before her death. Even if Dennis could not forgive and still be friends his mother was able. She was delighted that her first granddaughter came to see her. Rest in Peace Kathleen and Rueben. You are remember.
I was born Pamela Anastasia Wood. I am Otto Wood’s great grand daughter. I am the first grand daughter of Rueben Otto Wood. I remember my grandpa getting into trouble for always giving me candy when I was real little and I believe that was learned from his father by giving candy to kids in brown sacs. Kindof cool
I would just like to thank Stacy and Mary Ann for the kind words and also thank you for keeping my family close in their hearts and in their memory.
This week, I found a copy of the book that my great grand father wrote and for the first time I read it. Only wishing that I had only read it, way before now. As I read the book, Otto reminded me of my-self. As I am always on a mission, wanting to go some where and my family always asking me why can I not stay home for very long, as I am always on the go. I have also found my-self in trouble with the law, but lucky never been in prison or jail (It is as if trouble finds me, even when I am hiding from it).
I have also had many close calls to death (I have been thrown from a SUV going 80 mph flipping 8 times, with me being thrown from it after the 6th roll and it landing less than five feet from me, which I walked away.) Also as I read the book Otto also reminded me of my own father (Ruben Dennis Wood) Otto called his children his “little babies”, as my father always called me and my sister his little babies.
I think this is a great book, which should be read in prisons, jails, and addiction clinics or any one else who could take advise from a man who lived 82 years ago and knew what he was talking about. As my great grand father had a message to send out, which is a warning letter to all who has found their-self in a desperate situations and for the public to hear his side of the story and most of all for his children, for he hoped that they would learn from his mistakes..
I have listed some very important quotes from Otto’s book, which have great meaning to him as well as to me.
“If it shall be the means of helping some fallen mortal to a higher life, I will feel amply repaid for the effect required in it’s preparation.”
Otto Wood
“Tracing my course in life from early childhood down through the years lead me to the conclusion that honesty is the best policy and evading the law a grievous blunder”
Otto Wood
“Love is kind and long suffering”
Otto Wood
“Even a harden criminal responds to kindly treatment”
Otto Wood
“A greater desire still is that all my little children, learning of the fate of their father, may profit by his mistakes. It is my earnest hope that they receive the right sort of training and grow to manhood and womanhood under influences which will point to the better things in this life and eternal happiness in the life to come”
Otto Wood
I am Maggie Elizabeth Wood, great grand daughter of Otto Wood. I am proud to say I am in my second year of college, my major is Intelligence Studies, with the hope to make a difference in the world.. Intelligence is past, present and the future.
I will always keep his words in my mind and in my heart.
There are a lot of you who claim to be kin to Otto Wood. There can not be a possible way that all of you are cousins. I do not know if my family is kin to the Otto Wood family or not. I was in a Motor Cycle Club when I ran across my first cousin on my Father’s side. After hanging with him awhile, he comes up with this old magazine article that tells all about Otto Wood. This stuff lines up. Since he is dead now, and I have no way to retrieve the magazine, I have no way to say what magazine it was. Am I your cousin? too? Paul Wood
I have a copy of the life history of Otto Wood…. my dad past away recently, & I found this publication in the bottom of his cedar chest. I believe it is one of the original copies… it is dated 1931, and it is stapled together. The cover is a very dark green, and is missing the back cover, but is in pretty near pristine condition. I would consider selling it, but would like to find out what it is worth first. If anyone has any information, please feel free to respond.
I have a copy of this book and interested in selling. Please contact me at gwpoppop@aol.com. In fair condition. Look forward to hearing from you. Thanks
I amazed at how many relatives are here that have no connection to OTTO WOOD.
there were actually 3 brothers, James A. Wood(my grandfather) who married Esker Hayes. Otto Wood (married Rushie Hayes and had 2 children Jack Wood and Pearl Wood), and the 3rd brother was Luther Wood(who lived in West Va.). Rushie and Esker were sisters. Rushie died young and Esker & James (Otto’s brother) raised Pearl & Jack. Jack had one daughter(Patricia & was married to Hattie Wood). Pearl was married to Paul Brinkley(lexington) and had 3 daughters & 1 son(all live in Davidson County). My daddy was Otto’s nephew(leonard wood) and I remember the stories my Mom & Dad told me about Otto. My grandfather James died the year I was born. He was a very strick man. He tried numerous times to help Otto but Otto loved his life and did not want to change. My grandmother(Esker) told me stories as a child about Otto.