LOULA T. WILLIAMS
1879-1927
A Business Woman with Few Equals
Loula T. Williams was born in 1879 in Jackson, Madison County, Tennessee to Thomas and Sallie Cotten.11920 U.S. census, Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma, p. 5b, dwelling 109, family 80, Loula T; NARA Microfilm Publication, Roll: T625_1487.1920 U.S. census, Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma, p. 5b, dwelling 109, family 80, Loula T; NARA Microfilm Publication, Roll: T625_1487. She was educated in her hometown at Lane College and taught at various schools around the state until she moved to Memphis. 2“Mrs. Lulu T. “Cotton” Williams.” The Tulsa Star, Tulsa 19 August 1914
Loula’s name had various spellings across records; some listed her as “Lulu,” and still others as “Lola.” Oftentimes her maiden name was spelled “Cotton” rather than “Cotten.” These variations present unique hurdles to documenting her story.
In Memphis, Williams met her future husband, John Wesley Williams. He worked at the Illinois Central Railroad. She was a teacher. The couple moved to Arkansas, and then to Mississippi, as John continued to work on steam engines and Loula continued to teach. They were likely driven out of the South into Oklahoma by the ever-growing decline of political, economic, and social opportunities for Black Americans and by the threat of lynch mobs. They had one son: William Danforth (W.D) Williams, who was born in 1906. 31910 U.S. census, Tulsa County, Tulsa, Oklahoma, ward 1, p. 9a, dwelling 117. family 3, Wille; NARA microfilm publication M432, roll T624_1274
The Williamses moved to the Greenwood district in the early 1900s, becoming one of the first settlers in the area. At first, John worked for a White-owned ice cream company, and Loula served as a school teacher in the Fisher area.
The family worshiped at First Baptist Church in Greenwood. The church was an important part of social life in Greenwood. Not only did the community gather on Sundays for service, but when esteemed speakers such as Captain Townsend D. Jackson addressed the congregation, they sat in the pews to hear his words.
Developing their businesses
Jim Crow segregation that divided Tulsa, inadvertently created a unique opportunity for Black entrepreneurs. Being unwelcome at businesses owned and operated by white Tulsans, Black Tulsans spent their money in the Greenwood district. The Williamses, who continued to grow their businesses, were eagerly supported by their neighbors.
They became the first automobile owners in Greenwood. Soon after, John opened an automobile repair shop. 4Randy Krehbiel, Tulsa, 1921 (Norman: The University of Oklahoma Press, 2019), 21.
The couple soon built a three-story building, which housed Loula’s confectionery, an incredibly popular community gathering place.
Loula was also the proprietor of the Dreamland Theater, one of two theaters in Greenwood. From the moment it opened, it was a popular family spot in the community. The Dreamland Theater showed two shows a night, with 800 full seats for each.
Loula also managed a 21-room boarding house, which provided accommodations for new arrivals to the district or individuals who could not afford or did not desire a home. Numberous newspaper ads show that rooming houses were popular businesses among many in Greenwood, including women.
Loula’s business acumen showed not only in the sheer number of endeavors she managed, but also in recognition in the Tulsa Star. In 1914, the newspaper told that:
“Her judgment in matters of business is equal to that of the most experienced business men, and for this reason she has made few mistakes.”
“Mrs. Lulu T. “Cotton” Williams.” The Tulsa Star, Tulsa 19 August 1914
The Massacre
On the night of the Massacre, the Dreamland Theatre was showing a film. News of the chaos that was unfolding in the streets soon reached movie-goers. Henry Sowders, the White projectionist at the theater, was told to stop the film and to turn on all lights. Hundreds of people left the theatre within minutes. 5Randy Krehbiel, Tulsa 1921: Reporting a Massacre (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2019), 29 and 179.
Like other Greenwood residents, the Williams never fully recouped their losses. They did, however, successfully rebuild the Williams Building in 1922.
The Black Dispatch in Oklahoma City announced its re-appearing along with the Dreamland Theatre:
“It is a pleasing sight for the visitor who knows Tulsa as it stood in ashes one year ago to return to the same spot and view two blocks of solid business blocks” 6Quoted in Carlos Moreno, “The Victory of Greenwood: John and Loula Williams” .
Left Photo: Unknown Photographer, “Williams Confectionery.,” Tulsa Race Riot Photographs, accessed May 20, 2021, https://tulsaraceriot.omeka.net/items/show/79
Right Photo: Greenwood Today. Screenshot from Google Earth.
According to probate records, Loula’s health declined just months after this horrendous event. It gradually got worse over the next six years. It is impossible to determine how much of this was related to the events of May 31st and June 1st. Certainly, the Massacre had a physical and psychological toll on Greenwood’s residents.
For about six months in 1925, Loula’s husband placed her in a sanitarium in Guthrie, Oklahoma. While her health may have rebounded, it soon declined again. On May 31, 1927, she was declared an adult incompetent by the court, and her brother-in law, Dr. J. J. McKeever was made her legal guardian. 7Tulsa County (Oklahoma). Court Clerk; Probate Place: Tulsa, Oklahoma. Case number 6696.
Records indicate that Loula T. Williams passed away in September 1927. 8Tulsa County (Oklahoma). Court Clerk; Probate Place: Tulsa, Oklahoma. Case number 6696.
The Williams’s son, W.D. became a history teacher in Greenwood. He taught his students about the Massacre.9Randy Krehbiel, Tulsa 1921: Reporting a Massacre (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2019), 29 and 179.
Citation: Elizabeth Thomas and Makayla Swanson, “Loula T. Williams,” in Women of Black Wall Street, 2021, Brandy Thomas Wells, Ed. https://blackwallstreetwomen.com/loula-t-williams/
Any use of images on the website must be attributed to the original site/copyright holder.
Sources:
Oklahoma Wills and Probate Records for Loula T Williams, Tulsa County (Oklahoma). Court Clerk; Probate Place: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Randy Krehbiel, Tulsa 1921: Reporting a Massacre (Norman: University of Oklahoma, 2019).
“Mrs. Lulu T. ‘Cotton’ Williams, Williams Confectionery,” Tulsa Star , August 19, 1914.
1920 Census, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Roll: T625_1487; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 256
Tim Madigan, The Burning: The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 Kindle Edition (New York: Thomas Dunnes Books, 2001).
Quoted in Carlos Moreno, “The Victory of Greenwood: John and Loula Williams,” n.d. https://newtulsastar.com/2020/01/28/the-victory-of-greenwood-john-and-loula-williams/