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.
Did he say he saw in the jail? I did not hear him say wether he saw him or not. He spoke only of Jo? Yes. Did he say any thing about Jo being armed? I think he said he had a pistol. Did he say why Jo did not shoot him instead of strike him with his fist? No. What did he say about Jo Smith did with his pistol? I did not hear him say. What was it you did hear him say about the pistol? I forget now what it was I heard him say some thing about him being armed. You did not hear him say any thing about A pistol then? The first thing that I heard him say was that he was armed. You where mistaken then when you stated he said that Jo had A pistol? I am not shure what he said but I beleive he said pistol and arms both. Had Grover A sword on that day? I do not know Had not all the officers swords? I forget wether they had or not. What you recollect is not very distinckt about the events of that day? Not very. You remember that you felt very nice yourself? Yes I should have remembered things better if I had not felt so, I think likly. Did you not state before the grand jury, that Grover said that Jo struck him twice in the face but got revenge upon him for he through him out of the window? I do not remember.
Did you hear Grover say any thing about throwing him out of the window? Not that I recollect. In what direction where you from the jail? South west A little more west than south. From the possition you occupied could you see the window Smith fell from? I could not. What time of the day was it when you started back to ? Between 4 and five 5 o’clock in the evening. Where you driving an ox or A horse teem? I was driving A horse teem. How many horses was in the teem? 2. It was A common to [two] horse waggon? Yes. How far is it from here to ? I think it is about 18 miles. After you had stopt your waggon from A quarter to A half mile from the jail you say came past? Yes. Was he on foot? No he was riding in A waggon. What kind of A waggon was he riding in? I do not know. How meny persons where in that waggon? 5 or 6. Who was driving that waggon? [p. [78]]