McDaniel Cemetery

Jun 29

Site Brief:

Founded: 1841

Location: Kidder, MO

Additional name(s): N/A

Affiliate group(s): N/A

History:

McDaniel Cemetery is located just outside of Cameron, Missouri, 1000 feet east of Cameron's city limits. Restoration has been occurring at cemeteries in the area of Cameron. This cemetery was established in 1841 and is linked to the area's early pioneer history and contains a glorious monument to its founders. On the north border, however, is a whole row of unmarked enslaved individuals' graves from the pre-Civil War era. These people were enslaved by McDaniel (who donated the land) and McCorkle (the town founder) and other prominent settling families. They buried them on the northern edge, away from the McDaniel/McCorkle family graves, and their location was identified based on historical records, property maps, and local oral tradition. Because the enslaved individuals were considered "property", formal death certificates and traditional headstones were rarely utilized. Instead they were likely marked by simple fieldstones, wooden planks, or remained unmarked. Evidence of the markers no longer remains.

McDaniel originally managed the site as a private/family plot, but it was formerly deeded to the city of Cameron in 1950. The city of Cameron officially acquired it on January 17th, 1955 and to current day, there is no memorial for the unknown number of souls buried on the northern edge. There are current efforts to get a monument set at the cemetery for them.