Description
Landy Darnall. - - Landy Darnall was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky, sometime during the year 1840 and died at his home near Pleasant Ridge, Platte County, Mo., October 13, 1906. He was therefore 66 years of age.
From one who has known him since he can remember is this tribute of praise given and the writer begs leave to give items of Information and facts to those who have known him best.
Brought up in the same household — a companion and playmate from infancy to manhood — an intimate knowledge of his character and honesty, I am well prepared to speak of his sterling worth. Not many of his race was held in such high esteem.
All through the frightful period of the Civil War, when treachery and murder were in the land, when men and women could scarcely dare to breathe their thoughts, Landy, as we called him, was the one who was always loyal and faithful to his white people and who never deserted them in their hours of trouble and danger.
Even after the bloody strife was ended, he loved the scenes of his childhood and never once thought of leaving Platte County. By his thrift and industry be was enabled to acquire a few acres of land and built a comfortable little home and lived there many years of his life.
After a strenuous, honest effort he was stricken and died in his own home in the arms of his loving wife (Ludy Darnall), who has been with him for many years and in whose crown there will be more than one jewel. She survives her husband and those of her people who know her best, love her most, and we extend our consolation and drop our tears of sympathy with hers. No more loving and faithful wife ever lived than she. The final plaudit will be “Well done thou good and faithful servants.”
The best evidence we have of his worth and honesty is that he lived among his white neighbors on the best possible terms and enjoyed their confidence to the fullest extent. A large number of sorrowing friends followed the remains to the Pleasant Ridge cemetery where they were laid to rest.
Goodbye, Landy, your old friend will always hold your memory in reverence and across the river in the great beyond it may be we will meet again. D. O. Darnall.
(Researcher’s note: Doc. O. Darnall, born June 22, 1841, was the son of enslaver Milton Darnall. Milton Darnall was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky and came to Platte County in 1853, settling on Todd’s Creek. It appears that Milton Darnall brought Landy Darnall as a slave from Montgomery County, Kentucky to Platte County.)Date(s) of Creation
10/13/1906
