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 Carthage Gray came up soon after that and left but how I think he did not state. Was his evidence the same Yesterday about the Carthage Gray? I think he stated that the man came out that was said to be the carthage Gray not from A knowledg he had for himself but was told by some other person I think he stated that he saw and Steavens [Henry Stephens] conversing with the man.
Do you recollect that he said before the Grand jury that these men past him on his way back in his waggon on horse back? I dont recollect. What sort of A horse do you say he said was riding? I think A bay or surrel but I rather think A surrel. Did he say he had seen or A bay or surrel that day before the killing of the Smiths? I dont think he did. Was not this the way he stated about riding that horse that evening; that he shall had seen him riding A bay or A surral at the shanties and that he saw him coming back that evening riding the same horse; Dont you think he stated that <it> was his opinion? I did not understand him so. You think he stated positivly he was there on horse back? Yes he said so according to my best knowledge <recolection>. He did not state it inferentially any thing seen before or after? No. How far did he say was from the jail when the killing took place? I think he said about half a mile he was then interogated by some of the jury how he knew about the transaction going on at the jail at so great A distance he then stated it was then about a quarter to half a mile. Who did he say before the grand jury brought on the first intelligence that Smith was killed? I think that he stated that some of the men from the jail came out and got into his waggon, I think he said [William] Grover was one of them and Wells [John Wills] and I think Boarus [William Voras] was one and Gallier [Gallaher]. Did he say anything about A man of the name of Greg [James Gregg] before the Grand jury? I think he said something about that man. Did he say Greg past him on horse back and told him the smiths where killed? I dont recollect. Did he say A man by the name of Chatenden [Chittenden] told him to turn the waggons and go back? I think he said that some individual told him to put out some of the baggag and return back. This memorandom from which you refresh your memory was it made when the witteness [p. [84]]