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.
I heard some person say that day they thought of going to . Was it generally spoknen of among the crowd that the intention was to go to ? Yes it was spoken of. Did you hear any dispute among them about who would go and who would not? I did. Tell what they said? I cannot. Did say any thing wether he would go or not? I heard him say that all those that where in favour of going to and taking dinner at the Taveren would accompany him. He was in favour of the Dinner? Yes. Do you recolect any thing of the substanse of the disput about who should come to and who should not. The cause of the dispute I could give you; some was in favour of going to and some where not. Was it not said in the crowd what they where going fore? It was not understood distin[c]tly some for one thing and some for another. Did they not put the smiths in conection with it? I think there was something said about it but what it was I do not know. Did they say what they would do with the smiths? There was something said about blowing the jail to Hell. Who said it? I dont know. What was the reason some oposed coming to ? The only reason I had was because lawful authority had ceased and I wanted to go home. Did you hear the others say the they would not ingage in it? I could not say. Do you recolect who it was that was engaged in geting the volenteers what was doing <did you see him or hear him say> washedoing any thing about it at all? I dontknowthathewas think I did but what it was I cannot say. Did he say any thing in favour of the volenteers or was he against it? I do not recolect. You heard him speak about it who was he speaking with? I dont know Did you hear say anything about it? I did not. Did you hear say anything? not that I recolect. What was doing? I could not tell you I think I saw him on horse back. What time of the day was that? As to the time [p. [52]]