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.
from which you could see him plainly? He was about 10 steps from me I stood on the South east corner of the Jail. How long did he hang before he fell? He hung but A short time. What was his position in the window? His head was out, right arm, and one leg. You say Cap. [Robert] Smith did not march his company to the Jail till after all was over? Yes. If he had been there you would have seen them, would you not? I think so. If there had been any miraculous light that moment by Smiths body dont you think you would have seen it? I think I would for I watched him take till hetookhis <the> last breath was out of him. If there had been 4 men parralized you think you wold have seen it? I think I would And you are very confident no such thing occured? I am pretty, confident.
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Did you not know that day before the killing took place of A conspiracy to kill the smiths? No. When you saw these men in the perairy [prairie] did you not know they where coming to kill the Smiths? no. Had you no idea nor knowledge of their object? I had heard it talked about that A mob was going to rescue them. When you saw these men did you thing they where the mormons coming? I did not think but I supposed they where the Mormons. Was you not afraid to stay at the Jail when they came up? No. Had you any weapons yourself? No. On what part of the <his> body did Smith fall? He fell on his left side. Do you think you saw every body and every movement that occured there? No. Was there not A good meny people went with you from the squar? I did not see any rush from town till after all was over. Did they all understand it perfectly well? I dont know but they did. Retired. Court ajourned till 2 o clock P. M.