Account of Trial, , Hancock Co., IL, 21–28 May 1845, State of IL v. Williams et al. (Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court 1845). Transcribed from shorthand [before 24 Aug. 1858]; handwriting of and Daniel Mackintosh; 106 pages; Report of the Trial of the Murderers of Joseph Smith, 1845, CHL.
Where you about Flemings Tavern about dark that evening? Yes I was there near all the evening. Do you know if and Gregg rode up in a two horsed buggy? They did not. Dont you think you would have seen them if they had rode up? Yes I know I should have seen them if they had arrived before dark but if they arrived after dark I might not have seen them. How was your house situated in relation to Flemings tavern? Imeadietly opposit, there is nothing between the two houses. <where you keeping store in the house oposit fleming’s? I was.> How was your street <Store> doors oppened? They opened with two larg doors in frunt of the street and they where kept open all day in warm wether, so that there was nothing to obstruct my seeing the doors where opened that day all the day. Till what time that night did you remain about Flemings tavern? I think it was about 11 o’clock when I left the house after that I was called out on gaurd I went from there for I boarded at Fleming
Did some men arrive there some time in the night for whome supper was prepared? Yes the extra supper was prepared <and over> before I left. This was some time in the night? Yes in the after part of the night. When you speak of the evening you mean from dark till mid night? Yes I think the time of supper was nine o’clock which continued till 11 o’clock before they had done eating it might have been later but I think not. You was there when the men comenced arriving and remained while they where were all done eating and supper was all over? Yes. You waited upon the table did you not? I did. Did you see any thing of [William] Grover there? No I did not see Grover that night? No I did not see Grover that night I do not recollect of seeing him that day. Where you at that time well aquainted with Grover? Yes. Do you think Grover could have been with the company when they arrived that night without you seeing him? I think he could not have eaten supper there without my seeing him.
Cross examined by .
You think it was before sun down when arrived? Yes I think it was. Had you been in all that day? Yes. You say stopt and you took his horse? I think I took his horse. What did you say to him? Some one hollowed out “what’s the news the answer was “Jo and are no more, this was the first time I heard of their deaths What did you do after you took away his horse? I went back into the ranks. Where was the ranks? Right in frunt of s house. You was in the ranks there that evening? I was. How meny was there in company [p. [102]]