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.
for they are not much better than the Mormons themselves no good neither to king or country. Do you know any of the gaurd that was round the jail? Yes. Had they there guns loaded with blank cathrages [cartridges]? I dont know. You are shure the only object you had in going out there was what you say it was? That is all I know about it. I suppose you will do any thing any <these> persons tell you? I should just as well as go one place as another, and I am willing to go blind.
You was Cap. of the rangers at the time the smiths where killed? I was. Was it A regular company? No. What was the number of men at your command. I do not now recolect I think 20 or thirty. What was the name of the company? The Rangers. What was the object of that company? The object of the company as I understoot [understood] it was to go over the peraires [prairies] and carry expresses from one point to another. Was you in the morning <of> the day the smiths was killed? I was. Did you see that morning? I do not recolect. Do you recolect of any arrangements being made on that morning between the Carthage Gra[y]s and the mob? I recolect of no such arrangements. What time did you leave hear? I think about three o clock in the after noon. Had got in before you left? I think he was. Was I think he was. Was ? He was. Was [William] Grover? I did not see him. It was three o clock when you left town? I think it was about that time. You saw scertain and these other two men? Yes. Did they say any thing to you about going there to keep gaurd? not A word. What was your object in going out to on the prerairy? It was intimated to me to wacth that point of timber lest the mormons should come and rescue the smiths, we went to see if there was any strangers in the point of timber. You did not leave town you are shure till after came in ? I am shure I saw them before we went from . Who sent you [p. [48]]