Bruce, below excerpts from 2 county histories that tell all I have been able to find on the murder of Edward's father William Tarlton Taylor Smarr. I think they are different than the two you mention but not positive. All they say about when it happened is 1864 - this is part of the mystery I have been trying to solve for 10 years. John Russell's breakthrough find 1 year ago in the Unfiled Papers of the capture of Edward Sep 10, 1864 set up the question of how close the father's murder was to the son's capture. I do not know if William held a public office or not - he may have. I should have just said assassinated & left the word political off, but not sure until more of the circumstances are discovered. Your help is greatly appreciated Bruce.

Dave

William T. T. Smarr......came on to Lafayette county in the early forties, first living in Lexington a short time, then rented a farm in Washington township, later moving back to Lexington, where he engaged in a livery and teaming business for about ten years. He then traded his town property for a farm in Washington township, where he lived until the war between the states came on, or until he met a tragic death, being killed by Union soldiers at his home, as a result of his expressed sympathies for the Southern cause. He was regarded as an excellent citizen and was. a successful farmer, well liked by those who knew him best. At his death the wife and children took charge of the farm (Young's History of Lafayette County, Missouri 1910).

The death of Mr. Smarr occurred in 1864, after a life of great hardship and honest industry in opening up land and making possible the improvements which have since taken place in the county. (Portrait and biographical record of Lafayette and Saline Counties, Missouri : containing biographical sketches of prominent and...p339). Date of Publication: 1893