Lot Smith |
| Posted 2018-07-06 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Weekly Journal Miner, Prescott, Arizona Wednesday, July 28, 1915, page 3, column 6 (From Wednesday's Daily) Days Of Slavery Recalled By Death There passed away in Prescott on Sunday night a negro of unusual personality, in Lot Smith, who represented the memory of early slavery days. His burial occurred yesterday from Lester Ruffner's mortuary, Rev. Baker officiating, and attracted every resident of this city of that race. Smith came to Prescott in 1879, accompanying the late John C. Herndon, from Fayette, Mo., by whose family he was reared from boyhood to manhood. Lot's are is not accurately known, but data is recalled by which he can be traced to as far back as 100 years if not more. His wife passed away at Fayette, many years ago, but a son survives, whose age is nearly 60 years. The Shadowy Past. Postmaster A. J. Herndon, of this city, recalled many interesting reminiscences of Lot's association with the family of his father and mother in the days of long ago. He said yesterday: 'I first remembered this man when a mere boy, as he was at our home. He was middle-aged, and as far as I am able to trace his past he had reached fully 95 years if not more. He was a slave, but not of that rating as is generally ascribed to the race of long ago. He enjoyed the confidence of my parents for his industry and above everything else his absolute honesty. Lot never worked on the plantation, but was a cook of first class rating and an excellent gardener. His wife was affectionately known in that community as 'Aunt Ann,' but did not reside with him on our place, but nearby had quarters. Lot was out of the run of the average negro during slave days. He took orders from no one accept my mother, and it was useless to even intimate for 'Uncle Lot' to change his mind or bow his knee to any other human being. When my deceased brother, John C. Herndon, concluded to come to Prescott over a third of a century ago, there was a transformation in sentiment of this man. Suddenly a favoritism seemed to arise, and there was no residing the current of affection that had so firmly cemented itself, and this negro, then quite aged, and somewhat feeble physically, had his way and was brought to Prescott. It was the same in Arizona as in Missouri - a true friend and one who was always obedient with a kind smile to perform any service in his power. He longed to return to the old place in recent years, and would have done so with his savings of over ten years, had not his place been robbed. His passing away is to be deplored by those who knew him best, and my tribute to him is that a good soul and true friend is gone. Transcriber's note: Mr. Smith is buried at the Citizens Cemetery in Prescott, Arizona. See Also: Arizona Gravestone Photo Project |
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