Bill Smothers Park. Site of home of William Smeathers (Bill Smothers), who in 1797-98 made first permanent settlement at Yellow Banks, now Owensboro. Officer in Kentucky's "Corn Stalk" Militia in 1803 and on expedition up the Wabash River against the Indians in the War of 1812 under General Samuel Hopkins. He then went to Texas as an Indian hunter and guide. Died there, 1837.