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.
Are you aquainted with William M. Daniels? I have seen him. Did you ever have any conversation with him about the killing of the Smiths? I have. When and where? at Mr.Stots <Scots> [Larkin Scott’s]. When? It was the night of the same day the Smiths was killed Did Daniels sleep at scots that night? He was there part of the night I dont know if he slept there. Was he in bed there? Yes. Who with? with myself. Tell the jury what he said to you upon the subject of the killing of the Smiths Did he state any thing about wether he had any thing to do with it? He said he was not satisfied that they where killed and he only came there to be A spectator. Did he state wether he was present when they where were killed? He did not state to me that he was all that he said to me was that he was not satisfied they where killed.
Cross examined by .
What time did he say they where were killed? <He did not tell me.> what time of night was when you had this conversation? It was late bed time. He did not say what time it was when they were killed? No. Did he tell who killed them? He said they where were shot. Did he say anything about the guards? No. Was you at the rail road shanties that day? No. Was you along with the companys that day? No. Where was you that day? I was in in the morning. What was you doing in that morning? I was here on perticular buisness. What time did you leave to go home? In the forenoon. Was Smith killed when you left? I supose not. Did you hear any thing that they where were about to be killed? No. What time did Daniels get to the house that you staid in that night? I cannot tell. How meny did Daniels say came up from the shanties? He did not tell me. I only asked him one question. What was that? I asked him what his name was, and he told me that he heard at the shanties the Smiths where to be killed and he came up to see to satisfie himself. Had you heard the Smiths where were dead before he told you? I had. This was at Larkin Scots? Yes. Who was present when he told you? Not any perso[n] [p. [91]]