Kathy Thanks very much for the article on the Second Chapter in the Smothers-Davis case. I wonder what was in the first chapter. Noah This Daniel Smothers, is found on the 1850 Federal Census for Putman (Dodge) county, Missouri. Again on the 1880 Federal Census for Howard County, Missouri, Page 10, Supervisor's Dist.... 5, Enumeration Dist., 98. Prarie Township, 3rd of June 1880. D. Smothers, age 32, born Iowa, farmer, Ella, w. 21 Mo., Eppa 1 d, Mo. Susan (Smothers, Daniel's sister) Slagel is also listed on the same census, Susan, Slagel, 51 Si, Ky., Willie 18, Ne, Mo., Noah 17, Ne, Mo., George 15, Ne., Mo. THE ARMSTRONG HEARLD D.D. Smothers, farmer and breeder of thoroughbred Chester White hogs, was born in Davis county, Iowa, June 24, 1847. When but seventeen years of age he shouldered a musket and went to the army, and fought bravely for the lost cause, making a gallant soldier. In 1868 he went to California, where he remained for four years, returning to Randolph county, where he married Miss Ella Hicks, November, 26, 1873. He engaged in farming, and for six years farmed on rented ground. Then he purchased a farm of 210 acres, located four miles northwest of Armstrong. Mr. Smothers started out in life with no capital save that of his nerve, ambition and industry, which he applied along with good management, and has succeeded in accumulating a good farm of 210 acres, a splendid residence, which he just built just 2 years ago, and a cut of which can be seen in this edition. He also has his farm well improved and plenty of good stock on hand. Mr. Smothers farms on strictly business principles, and has thus made a success where others would have in all probability made a failure. Mr. Smothers' home is but a short distance from the Oak Grove Methodist church, of which he is a leading member. in the year 1891 Mr. Smothers begun the raising of thoroughbred Chester White hogs, and has been very successful in this industry. He has from time to time bought many fine hogs, at fancy prices, in other states to improve his herd. Until now he has blended in his herd the blood of the best families of the Chester White breed of hogs. Mr. Smothers has established a good trade on his fine hogs, and his trade in increasing and extending over more territory each year. During the year, he ships hogs to all the adjoining states. Mr. Smothers is now vice-president of the Missouri Swine Breeders Association. Mr. Smothers also raises fancy poultry of the best breeds. Mr. Smothers is a good friend to the printer and always patronizes home. Such men are beneficial to any community. On the farm that Mr. Smothers now owns there was quite a battle fought during the civil war. Civil War Battle fought on the Fristoe (Smothers) farm. "One battle was fought on September 6, 1862, on the old Fristoe farm about four miles northwest of Armstrong, Fourteen rebels were on their way from Macon to join Price's army. They were attempting to miss Glasgow, but someone reported them to the Federal soldiers stationed there. The rebels stopped at the old Fristoe home and went to the woods for dinner. While two of the group were gone to the well for water the Federal soldiers charged on the other soldiers from out of a cornfield. "The rebel captain offered to surrender but Captain Beard (Capt. J. W. Baird) of the Federals said. "We take no prisoners." The group from Glasgow included 40 Federals under Captain Beard and about 40 of the state militia under Morgan. When Beard ordered the charge the rebel leader said for each to care for himself. All ran for cover except two who stood their ground. The name of one of these was George Teeters (from Randolph county and only 17 years old at the time). The Federals started firing and shots flew thick and fast for a few minutes. The rebel who stood with Teeters wounded Captain Beard and then the two gave up. The Federals fatally wounded Teeters and would have shot his companion if Morgan had not refused to do so. The Federals also captured the two men who had gone to the well. Beard was taken to the Fristoe home where he soon died. Teeters body was not touched until permission was obtained from Glasgow to bury him. With $40 obtained from his pockets and some money that they contributed the neighbors bought a suit of clothes and a casket and buried him. When the battle site was examined soon afterwards many shots were discovered high up in the trees on the opposite bank of the small creek. Many thought these shots were fired by Morgan's men many of whom were really southern sympathizers forced to fight in the state militia. (Article by William A. Markland in the Boonslick History, Boonslick Historical Society, 1976, p. 96) From: Missouri Confederate Surrender Shreveport & New Orleans May 1865 by Carolyn M. Bartels, Smothers D. Pvt., 10th Inf. K. Randolph, transcribed from National Archives film. Confederate Records From the United Daughters of the Confederacy Files Vol. IV. James Madison Heflin, enlisted in 1864 in Springfield, Mo., "believe with Quantrill". Was a private. Was in several battles. Surrendered at Shreveport in 1865. Note: Was taken prisoner by the Indians with two other companions, their names were Dan Smothers and George Slagle, after being scalped by the Indians and my companion and I was standing not far off and saw the wolves take the scalped man to pieces, it being in wild country. Higbee News, Randolph County, Missouri, contributed by Mike and Kathy Bowlin, June 6, 2001. 6 May 1898--SECOND CHAPTER IN THE SMOTHERS-DAVIS CASE--Mr. Smothers Called From His House by a Mob and Fired Upon Them, Killing Mitchell Lee-Others Unknown. Special to the St. Louis Republic--Armstrong, MO, May 1--A sad chapter enacted in the Smother-Davis imbroglio, by which bloodshed and death ensued since last related, when Miss Eppa, the Smothers' daughter and wife of Davis, had been abducted by friends and kept away from her husband and parents, screened and defended, as alleged, against apprehension and dangerous threats. Proceedings before the Grand Jury were brought, attempting to implicate Davis in the above acts named, but the Grant Jury failed to find an indictment, after which it was apparent that a change in sentiment and demeanor had been wrought with Miss Eppa, for she not only refused to compromise her father by testimony that he had unduly influenced her course in her marriage, but a secret longing for home and home influences began to have telling effect upon her actions. Robbins, the former suitor, was a frequent caller, and reports were rife that after her divorce proceedings against Davis should prove successfully her marriage to Robbins would take place. But the fickle Miss Eppa seemingly grew tired of her new environments, sought interviews with her father, which soon resulted in her throwing off the protection and friendship of those whom she had sought to be her captors, and signified her willingness and readiness to return to her parental home, which she did. The advice and counsel of her former captor friends began to lose power and influence, home and home influences seemed to again enrapture her, home rule was less oppressive, and upon the recommendations of her father, a meeting of all parties interested, both in the Smothers and Davis families, was arranged at a neighbor's house, and an arbitration of all points of difference discussed, resulting in the reunion of Davis and Miss Eppa in the relation of man and wife. No doubt Miss Eppa's friends had acted from the prompting of truly sympathetic hearts as they comprehended the situation, and were enabled to understand the facts, and their action was naturally hostile to Mr. Smothers, and seemingly warranted by the hearty co-operation of Miss Eppa. She now claims to have had nothing to do with doctoring the dog in order to secure his quietude and co-operation and that she was violently snatched from "Black Mammy's" arms, and with mouth stuffed with cotton to prevent screaming, she was almost unconsciously hurried away to a carriage in waiting for her rapid flight to her newly arranged home. Those who were now compelled to settle as best they could these seeming contradictions in words and action felt themselves the victims of misplaced confidence; in this state of passion, holding an unsettled grudge against Mr. Smothers, a party of men, how large is unknown, called at Smothers' house Saturday night, about ten o'clock, and called him out. When outside of his door in his yard he was ordered to throw up his hands, which he did, but in his hands was a double-barreled shotgun, which he quickly discharged at their company, suddenly killing one of their number, Mitchell Lee by name, the contents of both barrels having taken effect in the breast. It is reported that several shots were returned by the party, taking effect in the weatherboarding of Mr. Smothers' house, but leaving him unharmed. The dead man was taken to the main road, several hundred yards away, and left lying on the ground until Sunday morning when an inquest was ordered. Some of the party notified the neighbors of the existing facts, carefully concealing their identity. These neighbors took charge of the remains of Mr. Lee. The balance of the party disbanded, and their identity is at present unknown. Since writing the above it is learned that the coroner's jury has brought in a verdict that Mitchell Lee came to his death by a gunshot in unknown hands. It is understood that Mr. Smothers acknowledges the shooting, but it seems that the attacking party got a crossfire on him, and that he sought shelter behind a clump of evergreens, leaving it altogether uncertain whether Smothers' gun, or one of their own party on cross-fire actually did the killing. Smothers was enticed out of his house by the announcement that they had a telegram for him. The dead man, Mr. Lee, was about 45 years old, and reported to have been a reputable citizen. He leaves a widow and family. Complications in this unhappy affair are steadily growing more serious, and it is feared the end is not yet. But the motive had by this company is inferred by the presence of ropes and switches found on the front stiles, also a revolver, supposed to be the property of the dead man. Mr. Smothers testified before the jury that he shot at the man who commanded him to hold up his hands, and a wound in the thumb of the dead man, Mr. Lee, shows that he held his revolver in a shooting attitude at the time the death wound was inflicted. 1920 census Riverton, Fremont Co., WY., Election Dist. 1, Enumeration Dist., 59, Page 206b, sheet 4b, dated 20 April, 1910, Dwelling 116, family 134. Smothers, Daniel D., head m, 65, wd., married 34 years, b. IA., father born, York State, mother born York State, Carpenter, working on own account, rents home, farm schedule 32. Smothers, Naomi, daughter, f., 23, single, born MO., father born IA., mother born Mo., no occupation. THE RIVERTON REVIEW, WEDNESDAY, JAN. 29, 1919, PAGE1. DANIEL D. SMOTHERS DIED LAST SATURDAY Daniel D. Smothers, one of Riverton's most highly respected and esteemed pioneers passed over the great divide last Saturday, January 25th, at 10:00 o'clock A.M. Deceased was taken sick January 3 with an attack of Spanish Influenza which later developed pneumonia, and after a sever illness of three weeks and one day death relieved his suffering. Daniel D. Smothers was born in the eastern part of Iowa, June 24, 1847, and lived to be 71 years, 7 months and i day of age. When a small child his parents moved to Huntsville, Mo., where a short time later both his mother and father died. He was reared in that state and at the early age of 17 years during the Civil War he enlisted in the Confederate Army, served with General Price in his operations in Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas, and was mustered out of the Army at Dallas, Texas, returning to Missouri. The following year he went to California with a company of emigrants and returned to Missouri on the first train that passed over the Union Pacific. A few years later he united in marriage to Miss Ella Hicks of Huntsville, Missouri. They then made their home at Armstrong, Mo. To this union four children were born. About twenty years ago the family moved to Houston, Texas where they resided until coming to Riverton Valley in the year 1909. While at Houston his wife and one daughter passed away. After coming to Riverton in 1909 he and his daughter, now Mrs. J. E. Coffman of this city took up a homestead and proved up on the same and a year later took their residence in Riverton where he resided until his demise. On December 22, 1916 he was again united in marriage to Mrs. Rebecca Hatton at Lander, who survives him. Mr. Smothers was a good Christian, joining church when quite young and has been an active member in supporting the church of his faith at all times. He had always enjoyed the best of health and strength until a few years ago when he was stricken with appendicitis after which his health had been declining. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge for many years and his order conducted the services at the grave. Besides his wife he is survived by Rufus A. Smothers, of Houston, Texas and Estell H. Smothers of Parkerton, Wyoming, and Mrs. J. E. Coffman of this city. Also a step daughter Mrs. DuBeck. Interment was made in I.O.O.F. cemetery Monday afternoon at two o'clock. According to the funeral home record, he died at home and the funeral services were conducted from the house. Cause of death is listed as dilatation of heart.........Cheryl E mail Feb. 16, 2001. Record of Funeral: Davis Funeral Home, Riverton, WY. Book 1, 1918-1919 Page 17, Riverton WY., Branch Library Gen. 929.3 Fun. VOL.1: Name of deceased Daniel D. Smothers Charge to Mrs. D. D. Smothers Address: Riverton Wyo. Place of Death: At home. Funeral Services at Home Time of Funeral: 2 P.M. Cause of death: Acute Dilatation of heart Occupation of the deceased: stockman Date of birth June 24, 1847 Interment at IOOF block 85 lot 9 Information provided by Cheryl Belding Feb.23, 2001 Cheryl is in the process of obtaining a military tombstone for the deceased military persons in the cemeteries in Riverton, WY. I am forever indebted to Cheryl for her dedication to her quest, without her I would have thought that Daniel was buried in the Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Fayette, Howard County, Missouri. Thanks Cheryl for your dedication to our Military Heros, gone but not forgotten. Date of Funeral: Jan. 27, 1919. Email June 6th, 2001: Noah: I told you I would keep you updated as to my progress on the cemetery stone for Daniel Smothers. I am happy to report that it arrived today! Once I can get the guys to "plant" it, I will try to take the digital camera out and get you a picture of it. Sad that I missed Memorial Day by a week. Cheryl