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.
Had you been in that day? Yes. Was you at the jail? No. Was you in at the time the Smiths were killed? I was out of about a quarter of a mile. Did you know when you heard the guns firing what they where firing for? No. Had you heard any thing about what was the intention of the people with regard to the Smiths? No. Had you seen any of these men that day? I saw I did not know. Was he on foot or on horse back? he was on foot. Was Daniels on foot? Yes. Did you hear Daniels statements before this Court? Yes. Did his statements told hear the other day correspond with what he told you? I think they did. Did he say Worrel carried any thing but his sword? No. Did he say any thing about what the rest of the gaurd was doing Did he say the gaurd was Shooting at the crowd? Yes. Did he say that any of them was hurt? No. Did he say any thing about s marvolous light and parraletic [paralytic] strok[e]? No. Did he tell you was there at the killing? I think he named Did he say anything about <it> being pland between the gaurd and and the mob how they should accomplish the killing of the Smiths<?> No. What did he say occurred from the time they where disbanded till they came up there to the jail? I cannot tell. Your recollection is not very perfect I think? I recollect what I have stated. You only recollect about the sword buisness and the light. You are shure he said there was no lightening? He did not say any thing about it. You think the balance of his statement’s <here> is about what he stated to you. Yes. Did he tell you wether he turned from the road with the mob or came on by himself? I cannot recollect. I suppose the tenor of his statements was that he was with them? Yes. Did he say any thing about his being up on guard? No. Did he tell you about Smith hanging out of the window? No. Did you understand from him in that conversation wether he was [p. [89]]