I’m constantly surprised in my research, finding new stories of family from ages past.  My paternal grandmother Marjorie Huston Dexter told many stories that were more myth and fantasy than fact. None have truly been debunked, but some have crossed and blurred lines. Her tales are legend in our family – and perhaps that’s all there is.

But I’ll let you be the judge.

Her first story is about an alleged ancestor she said was named Sam Huston. So far, I haven’t ID’d anyone on her tree named Sam. But, I digress.

This Sam Huston was alleged to be a real hero, she said. She told me that during a massive flood, there were many people stranded on and in homes and yelling for help.  Sam immediately jumped on his horse, and crossed the river. He gathered those poor, soggy, trapped folk, and began bringing them back across the river, one at a time.

He got to the last person, and into the water he pushed his horse once again. One more trip. The horse and victim and Sam all went into the river. The horse misstepped, and all went under.

The horse came out.

The victim came out.

Sam drowned.

Well, I have yet to locate this heroic Sam Huston (no relation to the Confederate). But here is where the water hits the wall.

In my mother’s paternal family are ancestors named Keesee. One such industrious young man, W.H. Keesee, was a “hack”, essentially a horse and buggy taxi from back in the day.

Young W.H. met and was hired by Tom Washington, a drummer, who wanted to see the countryside. Washington was having a great time and encouraged his driver to keep going.

As darkness fell, it became more difficult to see. The Dan River was now swollen from rains and the bridge – unknown to  WH was out.

The hack, in the dark, went into the river.

The horses kicked free of their traces and made it safely up the bank.

Washington suffered himself to get free from the cab, climbed on top and was eventually rescued.

W.H. Keesee’s body was not discovered.  At least, as of the date of the last article on the story.

Another time, perhaps, I’ll tell you Gramma’s story about the priest and the beauty…

Connie Dexter Spicer

May 11, 2023