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.
out there? I went out upon my own responsibility. Did you not send in expresses to those me[n] who you left behind in ? I did not. After they came to you went out? Yes. Had there not been pledges given round among the captains to enter into A conspiracy to kill the Smiths? No. ( stood up and objected to such A course of examination) When you went into the perairy [prairie] you saw these men Willson [John Wilson] saw coming from ? Yes I saw them. You knew at that time Smith was in Jail? I knew he was in custudoy I knew not that he was in Jail. Do you know wether these men or any of them pledged themselves to the or to the people that Smith should be protected while in Custudy? I do not know that either of these men made pledges, but I know pledges where made. Your object in going out to the perairy was to see if there was any suspicious carracters in that neighborhood? Yes. You saw three groops of men coming from ? I believe, Yes. How long did you stay on the perairy after you saw them? I believe we where leting our horses graze, I think pretty soon after. I do not know how long time we got on to our horses and made our way towards . Where they coming in the direction of that timber? I suposed they where on the road. How far apart where these companys traveling?
They apeared to be about A mile apart. They looked like destiny distinct? Yes. How far where these men from you when you last saw them? I only could see them A few minits. When you saw than at that time how far where they from ? about an equil distance with ourselves. They where mostly on foot? I should judge they where. You where on horse back? Yes. Could they have come here and kill Smith, before you could have got here? Yes.
How far had they got off the straight distance? about half an hour. Where did you meet the information that the Smiths was killed? We got it first from the . How far from the probably two miles and A half. Did you ride any faster. after. you obtained the tidings that the smiths [p. [49]]