Darby – An Appalachian Novel Darby is a story of danger, suspense, romance, and intrigue interwoven with the history and culture of the Appalachians. It provides a window into the lives of two families. Darby, named after a small community in Wilkes County, North Carolina begins in 1895 when George Woodard, a rocky soil farmer, dram drinker, father, and husband is murdered. Floyd Caldwell, also a farmer, found Woodard standing in Elk Creek. Floyd Caldwell is blamed by the Woodard family for his murder. This blame sets off a turn of events involving the two families. Events that have devastating effects.