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.
up here? No Sir I did not. Do you think was on horse back at the time this advance was made? Icouldnotsay. Yes. Did you see him more than once that day on the ground? I could not say. When you did see him you think he was on horse back? Yes. How meny Volenteers following the fife and drum round there? I am not able to tell you what number there was.
Was you in on the day the Smiths was killed? Yes. Was you in all day? No. What time did you come to ? between 10 and 11 o clock A.M. Do you recolect of seeing any of these men hear on that day? there is but few of them I am aquainted with except [William] Grover. What ones did you see that day? I saw and . What time of the day? I dont recolect,— In the forenoon about 11 o clock I saw on the west sid[e] of the Street on in the squair. Did you hear him say any thing about the arrangments they where going into? I did not. Was you up at the Jail at the time that smith was killed? I was. How close was you at the jail when he was killed? Between ten and 20 feet on the south east corner of the jail. Where was you when you first heard the fire? At the jail. Was you there before? yes. What atracted your attention before the firing? <as I was going home> I saw some men <coming away out west towards this place> andIwentoutandwaitedtilltheycametowardsthisplace Which way do you live? I live north. When you got out of town you saw some men coming and you turned back? Yes. How near where you to them about a mile and a half prahaps [perhaps] more I saw the glisening of A gun. That turned you back? Yes. How came you to go to the jail? When I got back I saw some <men> close up to the jail I left my horse at the tavern and ran up to the jail. Did no body tell you what was going to happen? I met some men and the said the mormons where coming to rescue the prisoners. You got there before they did? Yes. What did you see take place any firing? There was A considerable scuffle. Was there any shooting in [p. [55]]