Jim,
I will check the William Emmons you describe in Carter County, but he was probably from the Emmons family that settled in adjoining Ripley County very early. That family (one named Daniel) had resided for years if not decades in Tennessee before coming to Missouri. As I recall the pioneer was one Griffin Emmons. I would like to see more paperwork concerning the "unbecoming of an officer” charge placed against Emmons. His compiled record does not say why the charge was dropped or dismissed. No matter whether he had sex with the gal or not by returning the horse he at least proved to be a man of his word! I have no information about horse trading. Many thanks. Cletis