Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1922-05-12
DEATH OF THEE" DEAN.

Thee" was the only son of
George w. and Frances UiggetD
Dean, and though born at White
Sulphur Springs. spent all of his
younger life in Lewisburg. Many
were the amusing incidents of his
Childhood days. Surviving school
mates recall with pleasure the many
episodes in which he was the prin-
cipal actor. He kept his fellow
students at the old Academy in a
constant turmoil. Pupils such as
these often develop into the mob
lest specimens of young manhood.
which was true of Thee" He
simply fought his way to the top.
After many years here the Western
fever sliced him, as well rs others.
and it was with genuine SORROW
that we badc him bon rOgdgc to his
his new city home. He was. in
deed Il true man. and continued SO
to the end. Only one member Of
his immediate family survives
Mrs. Kate Williamson. of Washing
ton, ID. G.. NJ. W. L..
The following is sketch of his
latter life taken from the athens
Messenger:
The passing of Daddy" Dean re-
moves enc of the most unique and
best loved figures. And the world
will never know another like him.
For more than forty years he was
an essential part of Our city-likc
the bus he drove. He knew the
travelling public, the hotel, the de-
pot, and the cold and the heat, as
no other. And the public knew
him. Travelling men looked eager
~ forward to making Athens. For
they knew they'd see Daddy" And
he always carried their baggage
one of those different kinds of
whom the first impression is usual
ly wrong. For at first sight one
was likely to think him gruir and
Srouchy. 1t took a second meeting
TO break the strata that OVERLAND his
real heart. But with the second
coming together came everlasting
admiration. He liked people and
no where was here Il ncart so tend
or. His honesty was us unQucSion-
cd as his word.
i was fOriy-iilc years ago tina! he
came to Athens 10 lake employment
with Colonel Boone and later with
W. Is. Foster. as Il Stage driver. His
run WAS between Athens and Pomc
roy. And his stage took the place of
The railroad, which has since been
built. Although the roads were I'M
improved his trips were regular
year after year. He had likcing
tor convcrSlnS with anyone near
Elm. and many well remember the
fDI ln
bricr County. West Virginia, the
county Of bis birth was never for
gotten. and he delighted i'm speak
ing Of il to his friends. He loved
The moutnain people and whenever
an opportunity presented itself he
went back to visit ITEM. His horses
were to be driven by him and BY
MIN alone. He would haze no one
else hrrnCSS or unharncSS them.
and the care was the best. They
knew The hold of ni> hands upon
the rcinS. He was indeed their
lnaStcl. cNacting yet very kind.
ThoS" who have seen him will
well remember his crippled leg.
And his cane. The story goes that
while driving a stage coach over
!hc West Virginia mountains, the
stage overturned on q sharp curve
and he was injured. The doctors
words were that the injured limb
should be amputated. But Daddy"
replied that ii should not be buried
until the other was buried with il.
SO all his days he walked with a
limp. And his appearance was al
ways very conspicuous. His hours
were as regular as clock beat.
After several years on the Pomcroy-
MEMS hack, his work was hauling
passengers TO and from trains i'm
Athens. He met all trains. And in
all his years il is not thought that
he missed single one. One in
tcrcSting story is Of Il woman who
argued with him about the time Of
arrival Of the train. He let h'cr have
her way, took his passengers 10 the
depot and came after her. When
nc arrived at The depot with her
The train Had been gone ten min
IItoS. It VAS Just his way Of letting
her know nc knew what he was