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.
my house to the and near half a mile to Flemings tavern.
Cross examined by .
Was Mr. Grover ever at your house since that morning the troops where were in camp? I think not. Did you ever hear Mr Grover say any thing about it since? No. Was he absent that day? He was not at home. What did James Gregg say when you spoke to him? He told me the Smiths where dead and the has not wipt us yet for we have killed the Smiths.
Where is Gregg now? I think he is in . How long was it before night when this conversation took place? I should think <it was> about half an hour before night. Did you see Gregg any more that evening? I dont think I did. Was you down in that night? I was. What time did you see that night? Af[t]er candle lighting. Where did you see him? I saw him near the post Masters. Did he say any thing about the Smiths being killed? No. Did you see that night? I dont think I did! Did you see in that night? No. Did you see Grover? I dont think I did. Did you see A lot of men come into the night the Smiths was killed? I did not. Did you hear any thing of them No. Retired.
Where do you reside? In . Did you live there at the time the Smiths where killed? I did. Where you there on the night the Smiths where killed? Yes I <was> there on the 27th. of June. 1845 Did you see there that day? I saw him come into in the evening A little before Sun set. Who was in company with him? I dont recollect seeing any one in company with him. How was he traveling? On horse back. You are scertain he did not come into in A two horse Bugy? I saw him come into riding upon A cream collard horse. Where did stop when he came in? A little above his own dwelling in the same dwelling. He dismounted there? I think he did. How far was that from [Samuel] Fleming’s taveron? About 40 Yards. Will you tell us about that 500 dollars you offered to [William] Daniels? I did not offer it to him, nor or any thing els.