David Owen Dodd was born at Victoria, Lavaca County, Tex., on 10 Nov. 1846. In 1858 the family moved to Benton, Ark. In 1861 or 1862 the family moved to Little Rock where David began attending St. John's College. Shortly afterward he dropped out because of illness and became employed in the telegraph office at Little Rock, then later at Monroe, La. In 1863 David joined his father who was sutler to the Third Arkansas Regiment (dismounted rifles) in Granada, Miss. After Federal occupation of Little Rock on 10 Sept. 1863, David returned to Little Rock for the purpose of bringing his mother and sisters to Jackson, Miss. Efforts to relocate proved unfruitful so David and his family returned to Little Rock where David obtained employment in a sutler's store. In early Dec. 1863, David's father returned and took the family to Camden, Ark. In mid-December David was sent back to Little Rock to complete unfinished business on behalf of his father. David, who had been too young to enlist at the beginning of the Civil War, carried a certificate signed by his father stating his date of birth and lack of affiliation with the army. But this was not sufficient to save David from arrest on his return trip 29 Dec. 1863, when a search by Federal soldiers revealed a memoranda book containing descriptions of Federal troops in the area in telegraphic code. Following a six day trial the court passed sentence of death by hanging. Pardon was offered to young Dodd if he would reveal his informant. As he refused, General Steele ordered the sentence carried out on 8 Jan. 1864, on the grounds of St. John's College. Dodd was buried 9 Jan. 1864 at Mount Holly Cemetery.
From the description of David Owen Dodd collection, 1857-1970. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 252880032
