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.
the one you drove? Yes another one that belonged to Fuller. While you was there Did overtake you? Yes. How meny was there in the waggon with you when came up? 4 or 5. Where they armed? I dont know. What did these men say? They said they had killed the Smiths Did you see Grover come back? Yes Was Grover on foot? Yes, he road with me part of the way. Did he say any thing about killing Smith? Yes. He said they had killed Smith, and said he was A damned Stout man was <he and> Smith struck him in the face. Did he say he was one that rushed by the guard I heard him say he was the first man in the house. You did not see any other of these men on their return with the company I dont remember seeing them. Did you see them before you got home? Yes I saw and ride by on horse back they over took us. Did they say any thing as they went by? I forget. Was there A carraige along that day? I dont recolect. Was there any body els[e] in the waggon when Grover was talking about it? Yes. Did you know A man by the name of Brasus [William Voras]? Yes he was wounded in the arm shoulder, And Wells [John Wills] was wounded in the arm, and there was A boy wounded in the face. When they started to come up here did you hear any person say what was their object? No. Did you not hear Grover say what their object was? He said it was to see what the had dismissed them for, <I knew of no other purpose till one of the Carthage Grays brought A letter. Who did he give it to? He gave it to . Did he read it? Yes and after that told us what our movements where to be.> Had you any orders given how you should approach the ? Yes told us when we should go into to go A little apart. Did they obey the orders and come stringing in in that way? Yes Some stopt and let their horses eat some grass. When the troops returned from the jail did they return in A hurry? Yes. Was they running? Yes. How far did you go back that night with your waggon? I went to . Where did you go to at ? I went to Fullers. What time Did you get back to that night? It was 12 o clock at Night. Where where the rest of the men about that time when you got to [p. [72]]