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.
. and you say where all on horse back? Yes. You say rode a surral Mare? Yes. And that was before any person came to ? I[t] was before I came. Those three men pas[s]ed you when you where on you[r] way back to after you left carthage all on horse back and then riding the same horses? I do not know wether they where on the same horses or not but they where riding.
Are you scertain that and passed you at all? I think they did all together. Did they ride altogether in A breast? No. If they where not altogether how far did they ride apart? 2 or 3 yards. Which one of them was for most? I do not know. Was they conversing with each other as they past? I dont know. Was Grover in your waggon at that time? He was. Did any of these three men speak to Grover as they passed? I forget wether they did or not. How far from was it that they passed you? I think between half and three quarters of A mile. At the railroad you say you heard Grover call volenteers to go to to see the ? Yes. That was the only reason you heard assigned for coming to <until you met the Carthage Gray>. Yes. Was there any thing said about killing the Smiths? No. When this person as you took to be the Carthage Gray came up with A note took and read it? Yes. Did he read it loud? He read it that I could hear. How far did he stand off you? About 50 yards. You Did not hear what was in that note? No. Did the Carthage Gray deliver the note to as soon as he came up? I did not see him come up. Try to recolect if you did not state before the Grand jury, that the Carthage Gray took to one side, and said if you want to do any thing now is your time? I heard him say there was no person in but what they could rely upon. Who was he talking too when he said that? He was talking to the men there with him [p. [74]]