Sources
Jonathan M. Otey and Lucy W. Norvell Family Bible
Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, Film No. 32235.
Lynchburg Republican, 21 Aug 1863, Richmond Whig, Richmond VA, Vol. 40, Iss. 68, p. 2, Tues., 25 Aug 1863
Diuguid Funeral Home Burial Records, Lynchburg, Virginia.
Notes
Dexter, as he preferred to be called, served as a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. B of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry for the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He enlisted on 13 May 1861at Lynchburg;; but, apparently resigned by August of 1861
The family Bible states that Dexter died "by the hands of another". He is buried in the Spring Hill Cemetery in Lynchburg, Virginia, along with his first wife and several infant children. The name of his second wife may have been "Mary" as recorded by Diuguid Funeral Home Records.
Excerpt of letter from A. B.. Coleman to his mother, Anzillia Coleman, dated 23 August 1863, which was contributed by John W. Glenn:
"One of the most awful tragedies occurred in this city (Lynchburg), last Thursday evening about 6 o'clock at the Norvell Hotel, that has ever happened in this city.....of which I am sorry to say Dexter Otey, oldest son of Mrs. Lucy W. Otey, was the unfortunate victim. About two months ago Dexter Otey and his wife parted, since which time he has been very reckless, him drunk nearly all the time. Some time since, he had a difficulty with a man in this city by the name of Lyne which had never been settled. On the evening referred to above, they (Dexter Otey and Lyne) met in the bar room at the Norvell Hotel, both being pretty drunk, and Otey attacked Lyne, when a fight ensued with knives. Lyne was stabbed in two or three places about the neck. Otey was severely cut across the abdomen, from the effect of which he died in about twenty minutes. Mrs. Otey had just left the hospital where she had been to pay her usual evening visit, and had not gotten more than two or three squares down street when she heard that her son had been stabbed. She proceeded directly to the scene of action; but the doctors would not let her go in to see him at that time, Otey not being then quite dead. They told her that they would let her know if he got worse. She left the hotel and returned in a few minutes and found her son dead. I went down soon after Mrs. Otey got to the hotel, and when she came out the hotel, where she had been to see the corpse, I thought she would go into spasms. I never saw anyone more distressed in my life. It was indeed an awful affair."
Lynchburg Republican, 21 Aug 1863, Richmond Whig, Richmond VA, Vol. 40, Iss. 68, p. 2, Tues., 25 Aug 1863:
"The community was much shocked yesterday afternoon on learning that a rencontre, with knives, at the Norvell House, between Mr. Dexter Otey and Lieut. Leonard S. Lyne, C. S.. Navy, the former was severely cut in the abdomen, from the effects of which he died in about fifteen minutes after. Lieut. Lyne was also badly cut in the breast, but at present his wounds are not considered dangerous."
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Dexter is 23 degrees from Herbert Adair, 21 degrees from Richard Adams, 18 degrees from Mel Blanc, 24 degrees from Dick Bruna, 19 degrees from Bunny DeBarge, 33 degrees from Peter Dinklage, 18 degrees from Sam Edwards, 15 degrees from Ginnifer Goodwin, 18 degrees from Marty Krofft, 14 degrees from Junius Matthews, 12 degrees from Rachel Mellon and 18 degrees from Harold Warstler on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.