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.
I dont know how nice I was but I felt pretty nice. You saw all at the place where the division took place except ? I think I did. Did all the companys leave the road? Yes the most of them. Who was with you? Mr. Hotten [Hoten] was riding in my waggon at <part of> the time. You saw no more of the troops till you got near . No. Where did you first see them after they first seperated? I saw them in the timber. Was you driving Fultons forward. Yes. How far do you say you halted from the jail? About A quarter of A mile. They where as near to you when at the jail as at any other time? Yes. You where from A quarter to A half A mile of the jail? Yes. Did you say you saw Grover going to the jail? I said he left the company about 4 miles from and came from the jail when he came back. Did you see at the jail? No. Did you see at the jail? No. Did you see at the jail? No. Did you see there? No. Did you not state to the Grand jury that you saw at the jail sitting on his horse all the time the men where there? I dont think I did. Did you not state before the grand jury that came riding up from the jail to where your waggon was standing and passed right by you? I dont think I did. You stated that A Mr. Cregg [Gregg] came riding up to your waggon and told of the killing of the Smiths? Did you not state before the grand jury that his name was James Greg[g]? I dont know wether I did or not. Was Greg on horse back? Yes. Did he pass right on towards ? Yes. Did you see any thing more of him that evening? No. How long was it after Greg passed before and and passed by you on horse back? I do not know how long prahaps half an hour or three quarters. As passed you did he say any thing to any person in your waggon? not that I remember. Did you not state before the grand jury that came up to your waggon and said the Smiths [p. [76]]