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.
Was he along with the Grays? He was A little north of the Grays. You saw in the squar north of the Grays, and then went imeadiatly to the jail and you got there before the killing took place, and stood there till it was all over? Yes. How long did it last? I cannot tell you. Did you see any of these other men there? I think not. Did you see any presant that is now in the Court house? No. Did you speak to when you saw him? I shook hands with him. Did you mention to him what you had seen in the perairy [prairie]? No. Did you not see any person at the Jail that you knew? There was not till after the Death of the Smiths. Was there any on the Ground you reconized then? not any except the guard. Do you recolect seeing any with there their faces blackned? no. How many do you think there was at the Jail all together? I think there was 20 or 30. Was there not more than 30 <50>? No there was not. Did you see any standing out on the perairy? Yes I saw some out on the perairy at some distance from the Jail. Which way went they, when they left the Jail? They went right west from the Jail. They did not go through that lane you came through when you returned to ? No. And they left imeadietly after the deed was done? Yes. Dont you recolect if the Cartage Grays halted beside the fence till the killing was over? I saw them marching up. How long did they stay there till they returned? I returned before they did Did they come back to town? Yes.
Cross examined for the defence by
Did you see Smith fall out of the window? Yes. Had he been shot before he fell out of the window? He was shot or hurt some little for when he first came into the window there was blood on his pantaloons. Did you see him set up againtst the well curb? I saw him raise up himself against the well curb and die imeadiatly. Did you see 4 men shoot him? No. Did you see any thing about A marvalous light? No. Did you see 4 men parallized? No. Did you occupiy A possition [p. [57]]