I had the good fortune to grow up just across the pasture from my grandparents, Guy Otis and Nellie May Dwigans King.  As A child, next to riding, one of my favorite pastimes was to get them together and cajole them into telling me the story of King’s Moon.  They would both tell the story, shifting back and forth, bringing it so alive I felt as though I was watching it on a big movie screen.  

It always started with Grandpa King (a twinkle in his eye) saying, “You know, I think Nellie May had been nipping a bit that night”- thus bringing a vehement retort from Grandma King.  “I HAD NOT” she would declare, and we were off and running.   

They dated in a horse and buggy.  In their lifetimes, they witnessed the transition from there to automobiles then airplanes.  They experienced the introduction of telephones, radio and television.  Then, the ultimate, a man on the moon!   They joyfully adapted every step of the way.  If alive today, I have no doubt they would spar regularly over whose turn it was to ‘surf the net’. 

First and foremost, Grandpa King was a horseman.   He had a core understanding of our noble friends.   Such an easy way with them.  They always did what he wanted – without dispute.  He had that special intangible simpatico with them and taught me early the concept of ‘think it’ and they will do it.  Now, Grandma King could ride sidesaddle with the very best. I often have thought of her when facing a challenging jump and realized, “she would have taken this sidesaddle!”  Makes me feel appropriately humble.    

Grandpa King had faith, though not ‘religion’.  He also smoked cigars, took a nip or two on festive occasions and was an incurable tease.     ‘Twas best not to be in his company unless you had brought  your  sharpest wit with you.  Grandma King was the kindest, most loving and -oh yes –  GODFEARING  person I  have ever met.  Contrary to Grandpa King’s jibes, I would bet my very last dollar that Nellie May never  ever touched a single drop of liquor in her life!  Remembering Great Grandpa Dwigans, I would double that bet.  She also may be the only one in my family tree since with that distinction.

King’s Moon….  Who was he?   As I have said, my grandfather had a way with horses, and his were considered more valuable than most.  So, King’s Moon came about simply as a result of more than one horse in the area named ‘Moon’.  To identify the horse, he became King’s Moon.  It has also been said that the horse was the EXACT color of the moon.  Whatever that means.  

So the story continues…  Somewhere around ‘ought 9’ (that’s how they referred to 1909) Clarie, Nellie’s sister and a widow, sent word that she needed help with something, so Guy set out on King’s Moon.  They did that in those days.  It was an eight hour ride.  He left at 6:00 am, arrived about 2:00 in the afternoon and resolved the situation.  About 5:00 pm, they had supper of cornbread, ham and Clarie’s wonderful mincemeat pie.  This always brought a silent glare from Grandma.  There must have been a bit of rivalry between siblings over the ‘best mincemeat pie’.  Then, begging forgiveness for not staying the night, Guy set out on  King’s Moon for the trip home somewhere around 6:30 pm.  Our forefathers were made of tough stuff, as were their horses.  

It was fall in the Midwest.  The leaves turn GLORIOUS colors, then fall to the ground.  While a spectacular visual display, if damp or wet, the fallen leaves in freezing temperatures can serve as kind of a skateboard down steep hills.  Sometimes even the most agile equine cannot stay on all fours in these conditions.  I can personally attest to this phenomenon.  

Anyway, Grandma King (she always took over telling the story about here) continues. She and her brother Clint were sound asleep, as they were certain Guy had decided to stay the night at Clarie’s.  Remember, there were no telephones then.  Somewhere around 3:30 am an incredible racquet broke out in the barnlot, awakening both Nellie May and Clint.  Upon investigation, they found King’s Moon kicking the side of the cellar house and knocking over all sorts of things.  Clint was sure the horse had escaped from Clarie’s and simply came home.   Nellie May was not convinced.  By this time, the horse had brought out everyone on the place.  Grandma King commanded that two horses be saddled at once.  It was not clear whether or not Clint accompanied her by choice.  Though the gentlest of all gentlewomen, NO ONE crossed Nellie May when that steely tone came into her voice.   

As soon as the horses were saddled, King’s Moon ran to the end of their lane.  I can only imagine the ride that followed as they ran after this crazy horse.  The horse ran and ran and ran;  up hills, down hills, screamed around turns, jumped creeks and fallen trees.  He never  slowed.  There is no way I can do Grandma King’s description of that ride justice, but do keep in mind, this was all sidesaddle for her.  I remember her saying that Clint had really annoyed her because his horse had run off, following Nellie May’s, and he kept screaming, “slow down, Nellie, we’re going to die!  Nellie, for Heaven’s sake SLOW DOWN!!!”  Her comment to me was always delivered with kind of a secret whisper, “you know, he really never learned to ride that well.  Such a pity.”   

King’s Moon finally did slow down.

But, King’s Moon had disappeared.

They were in the middle of nowhere with little light from the moon; very little light from the moon.  It was a full moon, but clouds covered most of it.  Fortunately, Clint had thought to bring a lantern.  “Nellie, I hear something.”  “What???,” she replied.   

“Listen……Down there.”   They dismounted, then helped each other,  sliding most of the way, down a steep hill.  There (Can you believe it?) they found Guy leaning  against a rock.  Nellie screams, “Guy are you all right???”   To which Guy replied, “If you help, I think I can move now, but I am SO cold.  I was sure I would freeze to death.  HOW did you find me?”  

Grandma King replied, “Well, King’s Moon led us here.”

There was a long pause, a very long pause.  ………  Then Guy replied, “Nellie, have you and Clint been drinking?”  

Well, I don’t have to tell you the indignant huff that followed.  This woman had risked life and limb, plus that of her favorite sibling, to search for ‘her man’ and sidesaddle yet!  Things were about to get really ugly when Grandpa King asked Clint to raise his lantern.  At that moment, the clouds covering the moon dissipated and revealed that Guy was not leaning against a rock at all   ……… 

but against King’s Moon   ……… 

where the horse had been  ……… 

dead from a broken neck  ………

since the fall.

 Copyright  C. King Eyden, 2002