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.
shot him stand in frunt of him or on one side? They stood in A South Easterly direction. Where they facing him? not exactly. How meny men shot him? 4 shot at him. How far where they from Smith? They stood at the fence 10 or 12 feet from him. Did they all fire at the same time? Pretty much at the same time. Had Smith his open? I dont know. Did he show any sign of pain when he was shot? I did not see him give any sign of pain.
In this Book we have the following statement. “When Prest. Smith had been set up against the curb, and began to recover ordered 4 men to shoot him, accordingly 4 men took an Eastern direction, about 8 feet from the curb standing partly at their rear, and made ready to execut the order, While they where making preparations, and the muskets raised to their faces, Prest. Smiths eyes rested upon them with A calm and quit resignation” Is this true or fauls [false]? [It] is partly true and partly not. I do not know if his eyes where shut or open I did not tell as it is written in the Book. Then the statment is faulse? I did not tell him so. One of the men you say that shot at him was wounded
Yes. At what time did you see this marvolous light? I saw it at the place after the shooting. How long after? A short time after. Well tell us about that light? It was like A flash of lightening there at the Moment. It was not like A streek then? It was like a flash. Was it about where his body lay? It past right by his body at one side. When he was shot did any person go up to him? Yes A young man whentup <atempted to get> to him. Had he any thing in his hand? He had A puter [pewter] flute in his hand. Had he A bowey nife [bowie knife] in his hand? I did not see any. Did he get up to Smith? No. What stopt him? That light. How did it affect him? He did not go any further. Did he look frightened? I dont know. I was very much frightened my self. Then you did not see him stand like A Marble statute? No. (The read from the 15th. page of Daniels Book) “The ruffian of whom I have spoken who set him against the Well curb, now gathered bowie knife for the purpose of severing his head from his body. [p. [40]]