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.
Was any thing stated as to you being A witteness in this case? I did not know that I should have to be A witteness till last saterday week. Have you told any body about it since then? Yes I told Thomas Dall Who called on you for A witteness? Thomas Dalls. You <were> called upon to proove I supose that <Daniels heard> the smiths were dead and he came to to see if it was so? Daniels told me that he was at the princes shanties when the Smiths were murdered and he went to see if the report was true. Wasitbeforeyouinformed <How long <is> it since you told> Dallass <Dalls> of what Daniels said to you? <About A week. Was>. that <before> you was called upon to be A witteness? I do not recollect. How long ago is it since you told him? I cannot tell. How meny weeks ago? I cannot tell you. Is it two mounths ago? No. Did you tell any body els about <it> before? No. Was he asking you what you knew about it? I dont know. How came he to ask you to be A witteness. I cannot tell. Did he not come to you and ask you what you knew about it? Yes.
Cross examined by .
Was it not in the same conversation that he told you to be a witteness? Yes it was in the same conversation it all came in conversation together. Retired.
Where do you reside? I live in Taylor [Schuyler] County. Do you know A man by the name of [William] Daniels? I do. Did you ever hear him say any thing upon the subject of his being A witteness on this case against these men? I have. Tell the jury. He stated he was getting pretty well paid, I asked him what he was doing at that time he said he had quit Coopering and never expected to do any more hard work he said he could make money easier than with coopering I think it was either 5 or 6 hundred dollars the Mormons had to give him and at that time he had got some for I got 50 cents of it myself for some butter. Did he say what they where to give him this money for? Yes it was for giving his evedence against these men. Where was this conversation? In last winter. Had you known Daniels before that time? I have known him about two years. You where were at marketing? Yes. Did he purchas any thing of you? no not at that time. You say you once got money from him and he said he got it from the [p. [92]]