David was born in Nov 1846, so in Nov 1860 he would have been 14. He would have been 17 when hanged. The Dodd's moved back to ARk from TExas in I believe 1856 or so. They were living in Benton in the 1860 census. However, Andrew mentions in an 1859 letter about mercantileing in PB. They may have had a place there before moving back to Benton. I am sure PB offered more opportunity than Benton as it was on the river. However, Benton and Saline Co was home to the large Dodd and Owen families and home strings must have pulled harder than making money. Just where he learned morse code, who knows. Anyway, sorry I can't answer your other questions.