Lamar Smith was a 63 years old African-American farmer, he was an American civil rights figure
and a World War 1 veteran.
He used to be an organizer of black voter registration.

In 1955, Lamar was in the courthouse, helping the other black voters fill out their ballots,
in order to vote without exposing themselves to racial violence.

He was shot that day, infront of the courthouse in Lincoln County.

There were at least 30 white people around to witness the shooting, but none of them would come forward to
give their testimony.