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.
You say positivly you never told [blank] [Thomas L. English] that you hadan <where> offered of50 $500 muchmoneyfor appearing against these smiths men? Yes. Had you ever any thing offered you to appear against the smiths? No I said I expected so much for attending to it. Do you know George McLean? I think I do. Do you know George. C. Seabold? I think I do. Did you ever tell them that you where to get any thing for swearing in this case? No. Did you ever have any conversation with them or eather of them about this transaction? I presume I have. did you ever tell them or either of them you did not know who killed the Smiths? I dont think I did. Have you ever been offered $2500 not to appear against these men? Yes Sir. When was that offer made to you? When I lived in . By who? men I do not know. Did you then at the time? No I do not know that I ever saw them before. Have you ever seen them since? Not that I know of. What time do you say this was? while I was living in . Before the last term of Court here? I think it was. By two men you dont know? Yes. Where was it in they came to you? It was in on the <third> street below <on> Jersy Street. They met you in the street. Yes. What did they say when they first spoke to you? The[y] asked who I was. Did you tell them? Yes. What aged men where they? They where young men, but I could not say how old they are. What size where they? Between 5 and 6 feet. Where they of the same size? I did not take notice. How long where you in conversation? A short time. What was the first thing said to you after asking your name. They told there buisness they asked me who I was and told me what I would do if I would not appear in this Court. Did they name any man? no. What did you say? I turned away. from them imeadiatly. What time of the day was it, was it in the afternoon? I am not positive I cannot say what time it was did not their offer make A serious impression upon your mind? It did not worrie me much. Just tell us whether you thought it A usual occurrence or not? I thought it <wasnot> an unusual occurence. But you paid so little attention to it that you turned away? Yes. What time of the day was it? I do not know wether it was noon [p. [43]]