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(Paper prepared and read before the Memorial Chapter U. D. C., of Little Rock, by Mrs. T. J. Gray, Corresponding Secretary.)

David Owen Dodd was born in Lavaca County, Tex. on November 10, 1846, the family removing to Benton, Ark., while he was yet a lad of tender years. Arkansans are proud to have reared him, this brave young hero of the Southern cause, having spent the greater part of his noble life with them.

Early in 1864 the Federal troops occupied the city of Little Rock, being encamped at St. John's College, and it was here the faithful hero was executed as a spy.

During the first year of the war David left St. John's College, where he was studying, and worked in a telegraph office, but when the Southern army was driven South, many loyal families, among them that of David Dodd, went also. When the had reached Camden, his father found it necessary to send him back to attend to some family affairs, thinking it safe, as he was under the age for military service.

He spent a few days in Benton, then came to Little Rock, having received a pass through the Confederate lines from General Fagan, a personal friend of the Dodd family. He asked David to bring back such information as he could gain regarding the strength of the Federals. Some think General Fagan merely asked the boy to bring a report of what had already been prepared for him by his agents in Little Rock, while others believe the information was obtained by the effort of David himself. The mystery has never been solved satisfactorily and probably never will be.

Shortly after leaving Little Rock, there was a terrible storm and in attemptin to reach the Camden road, David lost his way and wandered back to the picket line. Having given up his passport, the guards refused to accept his explanation, and he was escorted back to town. On his way it is said he endevoured to destroy the paper, but was detected and the document seized. The paper contained information concerning every detail of General Steele's army, the number of soldiers, ordnance, etc., for the Confederates.

David was hurried to prison the next day, tried and condemned to be hanged as a spy on the following day.

Death had no terrors for the stern soul of David Dodd, whose honor and love of country was at stake, for his friends (or foes) he repeatedly refused to betray.

Hundreds of men and women thronged headquarters and waited in the intense cold for hours to see General Steele and implore him to pardon the youth, but he refused to admit them, and the only pardon he promised was at the price of naming his accomplices.

The hour of execution came; poor David was placed on a wagon and driven in front of St. John's College, where a rude gallows had been erected. Again General Steele approached David and begged him to divulge the name of his informant, and assured him he did not wish to hang him, but the steadfast young martyr again refused to speak. The fatal signal was given and the wagon driven from under him, but the fall failing to break his neck, two Federal soldiers were ordered to jerk the rope until it was accomplished.

Years have passed and his lonely grave in Mount Holly is marked by a simple slab of white marble, the offering of Southern women given at the time of their sorest need; just a plain shaft scarce the height of the hero with only two dates and the name, nothing more: "Born November 10, 1846. Died January 8, 1864."

This is all that remains of the boy and his story; all that remains to tell his brave deed; and all that now lives that loometh his glory in enshrined in the hearts that e'en silently bleed.

So out 'neath the trees of the still silent city, that city of tombs and oft-broken sod, lie the mangled remains-O, the shame, O, the pity-of the patriot, brave David Owen Dodd.