These poorly drawn lines deal with the trajectory of an ordinary and anonymous citizen, like thousands of others — a former farmer and diamond searcher. He was curious, perceptive and with a singular and constructive mental fertility, which made him capable of going beyond what the instruments of a limited formal education allowed — emphasize: in his whole life, he attended less than one school semester.
Well, Oscar Barboza Souto was born in Jequié-BA, on August 22, 1913. He is the son of José Francisco Souto and Júlia Barbosa Souto. He had the following brothers: Liberalino, Floripes, Jonias, Jesulino, Marinha and Aléssio.
At seven, Oscar lost his father. As a state tax collector, José Francisco had been murdered.
José Francisco's destiny
José Francisco [i], husband of Júlia [ii], was a state civil servant in the city of Jequié-BA, and worked as a tax collector, especially in rural production.
In addition to their consanguineous children [iii] [iv], José Francisco and Júlia had an adult child, named Aniceto. His foster father gave him a place to cultivate the land.
In the beginning of 1921, José Francisco went to the rural region with the objective of carrying out the usual tax collection. On the way back, Aniceto was waiting for him and addressed him, asserting that he would pay the debt related to the taxes on his small property and handing him the amount due. At that moment, surprisingly, Aniceto drew a gun and shot José Francisco and then ran away. The shot caught the arm, but as the ammunition was poisoned, the victim died about two hours later.
The dramatic death resulted from committing crime, the executor being someone who would never be suspected. The principal was not identified, but the most likely hypothesis was that he was dissatisfied with the tax collection work carried out by José Francisco.
At that time, in the Brazilian northeastern interior, there was a superstition that if the dead were buried face down, the murderer would not be able to escape. A week after the fatal event, friends of José Francisco found the executioner by opening the victim's grave — he wanted to put the corpse in the correct position. Aniceto was arrested, asked for water and received a mug of poisoned water. He left this world in the same tragic way that caused the cowardly departure of his creative mentor.
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[i] José Francisco Souto was born on 11/18/1887.
[ii] Júlia Barbosa Souto was born on 12/04/1885.
[iii] In 1921, among the sons of José Francisco and Júlia, Liberalino was 12 years old, Floripes 10 years old, Oscar 7 years old, Jonias 5 years old, Jesulino 4 years old, Marinha 2 years old and Aléssio 8 months old.
[iv] Floripes married at the age of 15 and died in the birth of the 5th. son, aged 20.
From early adolescence to nineteen, Oscar fought as a sales assistant in the dry and wet warehouse of the Italian merchant Domingos Colavolpi, in Jequié; in the harvest and primary processing of cocoa, the main input in the production of chocolate; and as an assistant to animal cargo transporters, in support of equestrian transport of cocoa.
Contribution of cousin Liba - Aug 23, 2020
I sent the first version of the text “Oscar Barboza Souto - One Life and Many Fights” to cousins Liba (daughter of Uncle Liberalino), Júlia (daughter of Aunt Marinha) and Hemetério Neto (whose grandparents are Aunt Jonias and her husband Hemetério) . They responded with elegant and motivating comments. Liba, a lawyer and social chronicler in Ilhéus-BA, is in the United States, where she went in March this year; and, in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, it will remain until mid-September. Júlia, a retired teacher, and Hemetério Neto, a businessman, are enjoying the pandemic isolation in São Paulo, where they live.
In an exchange of messages with cousin Liba, she mentioned facts unknown to us, from Mato Grosso, related to the Barbosa Souto family, from Jequié.
After the death of Grandpa José Francisco, Grandma Julia reconstituted the family in the mid-1920s, joining Vicente Calot. This union proved to be a disaster and did not last long. In addition to other problems, there were mismatches between the stepfather and the stepchildren, especially Liberalino who left home and — with the support of the Colavolpi family, a friend of grandpa José Francisco — went to study at a boarding school in the city of Jaguaquara.
Grandma Júlia had a reasonable financial situation, as a result of the inheritance of her father, Sabino Barbosa; and she mantained in her first marriage. It is worth breaking the narrative sequence to emphasize the knowledge of the name of our paternal great-grandfather, Mr. Sabino Barbosa! The smart-ass Calot warned Julia that he was going on a business trip; and in possession of the troop of animals transporting and various other goods, which belonged to the family, he went away and disappeared forever.
These events stimulated the brain to question old doubts. Oscar never mentioned the reasons why he left Bahia and only returning after two decades; and he never spoke to his children, the questions concerning the union of his mother Julia with Calot. Is the explanation in the drama experienced by the family and the impact on himself? Or was it the unsuccessful failure of a loving interaction? The answer is buried with everyone who is gone forever.
In 1933, Oscar left Jequié and headed for the southeast region of the country. He worked in various menial services in Minas Gerais; and later on deforestation, for agriculture and livestock in the interior of São Paulo. The state of São Paulo was beginning the evolution process that elevated it to the status of the richest unit in the Federation. Oscar and a group of Bahia born guys were immersed in the arduous process of preparing the land for the production of wealth. There was a black man to whom the colleagues made bullying — the color was the main reason. If it were today, there would be an accusation of racism. He got rid of any constraints due to his attitude — he was polite, cheerful and he was always ready to support his companions in all tasks. Well, one of those nights, he was found shattered and completely disfigured. He had been attacked and partially eaten by a jaguar.
Faced with the unfortunate event, at the end of the 1930s, Oscar decided to leave his job and go to the north of Mato Grosso, in the vicinity of Cuiabá, where he spent some years in the diamond searching. The prospect of finding a diamond large enough to allow the fortune, was the great stimulus. Oscar reported that he had obtained a valuable diamond, marketed for an extraordinary sum. He went to São Paulo, ordered a half dozen suits and spent half the year enjoying life and compensating for the difficult days, in which he was always immersed in insane work.
As time went by, the resources obtained became scarce and, in 1941, Oscar decided to return to the diamond searching activity. Before, he had decided to visit the banks of the Aquidauana River - in the vicinity of Campo Grande, the current capital of Mato Grosso do Sul. So in the municipality of Rochedo, 80 km from Campo Grande, he met the family of farmer Antonio Ribeiro de Oliveira. When he saw his teenage daughter Alaide, who was 13, he declared that he would someday return from the north of the state - where he was headed - and propose marriage to her.
After three years, Oscar left the diamond searching in the northern part of the state, moved to the Rochedo region and went to work on Antonio's farm. As he had considered, he began to court the young Alaide and the following year she accepted the marriage proposal. On September 23, 1944, Oscar Barboza Souto and Alaide Ribeiro de Oliveira were married.
Contribution of bro Aloizio - 23 / Aug / 2020
After a long conversation with my brother Aloizio — whose privileged memory contributed to the accuracy of some data on the trajectory of our father Oscar — it is worth adding the following observations:
- between 1933 and 1941, after leaving Bahia, in addition to working in Minas Gerais and São Paulo, Oscar also worked in Espírito Santo, in manual services; and in Santa Catarina, in a coal plant;
- in 1941, on his way to Mato Grosso, he traveled the state from south to north, passing first in the Rochedo bands, where he had his first contact with Antonio Ribeiro de Oliveira and his daughter Alaide, then 13 years old;
- from 1941 to 1944, Oscar worked in diamond mining in the north of Mato Grosso, close to Cuiabá;
- in 1943, the diamond was discovered, allowing Oscar to spend almost six months in São Paulo, spending the proceeds from the sale of valuable carbon in tourism and leisure;
- after the season of long vacations, Oscar returned straight to the mining in the north of Mato Grosso; and
- in June 1944, finally Oscar went to Antonio's farm, where he established the connection with his conjugal and family destiny.
I kept the initial version unchanged, since the text reflects the perception of events at the time it was written; and also because the differences are irrelevant. However, this version of Aloizio is accurate and correct.
Oscar continued to work on his father-in-law's farm. As he was a worker, organized and tireless, he contributed to enhance agricultural and livestock production, which generated conflict with his brothers-in-law, because of the claim that he wanted to take possession of the family's assets. Dissatisfied with the lack of recognition and disruptive rumors, he agreed with his wife that they would leave the farm and disappear in search of their own destinies. The decision shocked the in-laws, who resigned, proposed that the couple leave the headquarters of the farm as well as the usual chores and move to one end of the property — in this way, the misinterpretations, within the family, would cease.
So it was done. In 1946, Oscar and Alaide rode on horseback to the indicated region, where they built a ranch, so that they could, somewhat precariously, start a new phase of life. Oscar went on to work in the fields, raise livestock, and thus guarantee the family's livelihood by cultivating the land and cattle. They had a first child, José, who died in 1947, with 11 days of birth. From 1949 to 1955, the children Aléssio, Agton, Angeliqui, Aloizio and Edna were born.
In order for the heirs to study, in 1957, there was a move to Rochedo, at the time, with about 2000 inhabitants. Initially, thanks to the friendships he had conquered — a merit of the convincing conversational man born in Bahia — Oscar was appointed notary of the Civil Registry Office. The documentary management of births, deaths, public deeds, powers of attorney and other activities replaced the heavy work that Oscar had to deal with in deforestation, mining and farming. As the resources obtained were insufficient, he disposed of the scarce goods accumulated with agricultural activities and acquired a decadent store, almost in the process of insolvency, and transformed it into a stable establishment, with businesses in fabrics, clothing, haberdashery and dry goods and wet. After four years, he was dismissed from the Registry and appointed Judge of Peace, having dealt with conflict management in a municipality without a judicial system, for another four years. Commerce proved Oscar's primary calling. In addition to the success resulting from the skill of entrepreneurship, its commercial establishment added a pioneering spirit in the sale of fuels and medicines, since there was no gas station or pharmacy in Rochedo.
Oscar's leadership led him to become president of the political party, the former PSD. In this situation, in the late 1950s, he attended the party's regional convention in Cuiabá. This event was a source of great satisfaction and he was proud to show the photo taken in the company of Senator Filinto Müller and President Juscelino Kubstchek.
In the face of inexplicable reason, Oscar spent 25 years without giving news to relatives in Bahia. In 1960, he decided to adjust the course, break the silence and surprise the forgotten relatives. He left the trade in the hands of his wife and younger children and traveled to Jequié. It was an unforgettable event. He learned that after 15 years of absence, mass had been celebrated for his disappearance. Aside from the memorable meeting with brothers and — most of them unknown —, he saw dear mother Julia again, a year before his death.
In the school in Rochedo, education reached the last year of primary education. Then, to continue their studies, the children left home and went to Campo Grande. In this way, the five heirs gained access to higher education. Aléssio became an Army officer and engineer, Angeliqui graduated in Pedagogy and Aloizio graduated in Law. Although he did not complete the Economics course, Agton became an accounting technician and a business professional; and Edna did not finish the college she started, but became an accounting technician and a housewife.
Oscar and Alaide experienced the emotions of the graduation of three children. In Aléssio's graduation in Military Sciences, the couple had the opportunity to attend the military ceremony at the emblematic Military Academy of Agulhas Negras, in Resende-RJ; complemented by the solemn mass at Candelária church and the gala dance at Tijuca Tennis Club, both in the city of Rio de Janeiro. They were proud of Angeliqui's progress in teaching and teaching coordination. They experienced the joy of Aloizio's evolution in the search for peace and harmony in the field of law. Both have been involved in commerce for almost two decades and, therefore, have similarly appreciated the work of Agton and Edna in activities related to commerce.
Aloizio's contribution - Aug 24, 2020
The unshakable willingness of Oscar, a former farmer, to provide formal education for his children has spread in such a way as to constitute virtuous sowing - which can be proven by the schooling and profession of the children (already mentioned) as well as grandchildren and great-grandson .
Agton and Elizabeth gave Oscar and Alaide four grandchildren. Agton Jr. is an English and Kumon teacher and shares with his wife, pedagogue Rosany, a franchise of this Japanese education organization. Anderson left the engineering course, at the Federal University of Campo Grande, and law at the Catholic University, to venture into Japan, and on his return to Brazil, with his wife Adriana, he became a merchant. Alyson, after spending more than ten years in Japan, came to Brazil, married pedagogue Ana Beatriz and returned to Japan. His wife became a teacher in that country — it should be noted, the only country in the world where the emperor only bows, in awe, to the teacher, such is the value attributed to those who provide education. And the last, Giuliano, left law school to pursue his life only as a military policeman.
Angeliqui and Delaor gave them three grandchildren. Sérgio Ricardo is a lawyer and married to lawyer Vanessa. Delaorzinho is an agronomist and married to the pedagogue Sabrina. Cynthia is a lawyer and married to lawyer Paulo. Aside from the exercise of the law office in Brazil, on a “distance” basis over the Internet, as they live in Orlando, Florida, Cynthia and Paulo created the “iFood Pantanal”, which, through online orders, delivers material from supermarkets in Mato Grosso do Sul in several American states). And the great-grandson Sérgio, son of Sérgio and Vanessa, is attending the Faculty of Law.
Edna and Gilvan gave them a grandson, Giovani, who is studying at the Faculty of History.
Aléssio and Isabel gave them three granddaughters, Alessandra, Cecília and Laura who, at 17, are in the process of completing high school. Previously, Oscar and Alaide won from Aléssio and his girlfriend Miriam, the granddaughter Maria Tatianne, now graduated in Administration.
The mention of the school and professional situation of Oscar and Alaide's heirs can be seen as naivety, presumption or exhibitionism — but for sure it isnt this. Considering a median family, the evolution mentioned would be inserted in normality and clarification would be absolutely unnecessary. However, in the present case, due to the couple's educational limitations who originated the clan, the obstacles were such that the result presented can be considered an extraordinary achievement. Therefore, it is an unbelievable duty of justice to record the recognition and gratitude to Oscar and Alaide, for having unveiled the horizon and faced, with willingness and pertinacity, the challenge of providing education for their children.
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Notes.
Agton Jr. started the undergraduate degree in Economics at United Catholic Colleges of Mato Grosso (FUCMT), which became the Catholic University Dom Bosco, at Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul.
Anderson started the undergraduate degree in Engineering at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul and the undergraduate degree in Law at the United Catholic Colleges of Mato Grosso as well, at Campo Grande.
Giuliano started the undergraduate in Law degree at the Catholic University Dom Bosco, at Campo Grande.
Sergio started the undergraduate degree in law in a College of the west region of São Paulo state and finished the course in the United Catholic Colleges of Mato Grosso.
Delaorzinho graduated in Agronomy at a private college at Campo Grande and took a master's degree in Agribusiness in Australia as well.
Giovanni is studying History at a private college in Dourados-MS.
Tatianne took a undergraduate degree in Administration and Manegement at a private college of Manaus.
Upon retirement, Oscar and Alaide moved to Campo Grande to be close to their children, since Agton, Angeliqui, Aloizio and Edna, already adults, lived in the current state capital. Although he could be close by frequent and systematic communication, in the second half of his military life, Aléssio alternated between Rio de Janeiro, Brasília and Tehran, in Iran.
In this way, the couple's long lives, lived with intense work, unsurpassed responsibility and insurmountable dignity — in order to become fertile and magnificent examples for the heirs — came to an end. Oscar passed away in 1995 and Alaide left in 2005.
On the occasion of Oscar's birth, these memories are shared with brothers, brothers-in-law, nephews and other family members, as a simple and well-deserved tribute to those who lived in order to illuminate the paths traveled with truth, decency and faith.
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