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.
three or four minutes. What did they do, when they first came. The first motion was to come up in front of the Jail, and when they had got formed there, they made a rush for the door. Did many go up stairs, I could not say. Was Smith shot in a number of places. I can not say I never examined the body. Did you see any body there, you knew, after the deed was done. I did not. Was there a good deal of confusion. There was. Was any of them disguised. Some looked, as if they had wet there hands, in powder, and put it on their faces. and put powder on their faces. How many were disguised. In my opinion about thirty or forty. The thing was done in great hurry and confusion I suppose. It was. Did you hear anything said. I cannot say, the pieces were going off all the time, so that I could not either see, nor hear, anything said. Where was you, when they made a rush to the door. I was at the door. Then you stood in the door. No I was sitting on the door, step, when the men came up. Did you change your position. I was pushed, and sh[o]ved, away, about fifty feet in the crowd. Did any go into the yard. There did. How far is the fence, from the door. It is about fifteen feet from the door. Smith was killed inside of the yard, I suppose. He was. How many of the Mob, was inside of the fence; The larger portion of them was inside of the fence, but there was some out and some in. Did any stop to examine his body. No. Did you see Smith when he died, I did. How long did he live after he fell. Not to exceed a minute after he struck the ground. Did you see him hanging in the window. I did not. You saw him die. I did. Which way did the Mob, come. from the direction of . a north westren course down the fence. Is not that the near direction to [p. [18]]