Account of Trial, [], Hancock Co., IL, 24–28 May 1845, State of IL v. Williams et al. (Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court 1845). Published [ca. 30 July 1845] in Trial of the Persons Indicted in the Hancock Circuit Court for the Murder of Joseph Smith at the Carthage Jail, on the 27th Day of June, 1844, Warsaw, IL: Warsaw Signal, 1845.
the way with me, and the Chittendens did not ride more than half a mile with me, and after that they took turns riding, and I had not more than 5 at a time. I live in ; am not a Mormon; have no family. I live with , my step-father; he and my are members of the Church. I follow loafing, and have, the most of this winter. have not worked enough to hurt me. I have lived in six years this spring. I commenced loafing a little before last Court. I know [William] Daniels, but don’t know what he follows. We have had some conversation about this case. Have told each other some things we know about it. Daniels told me about the light just before last Court; he said it was like a flash of lightning. We have told each other what we have seen. I am not acquainted with Miss [Eliza] Graham. Never saw her, that I recollect of, till last Friday. We have had some conversation about the case. I do not know who pays me for my attendance. Do not know who pays my board; I did not pay it last fall. I boarded then and now at ’s, (the Sheriff’s.) I have talked a good many times about this case; it was much talked of after I went home. Latter part of last summer I told what Grover had said. of Burlington, called on me at , to have me tell. I never was applies to by anyone else, and never made an affidavit of what I know of this matter. Never gave evidence only before the Grand Jury and on ’s trial at . The Smiths were killed on the 27th of June, 1844, on a clear day. It was not a moonlight night, I think. I never swore that went all the way from the Railroad with me. I saw the flashes of five guns and no more, at the jail. Do not recollect any guard, and do not know who the guns were fired by. I never said that gave the command to fire, at the jail. I was not near enough to see what was done. I have thought the people of did not treat me as well what was done. I have thought the people of did not treat me as well as they did Daniels, and have complained of it. I was 18 years old the 27th of last April. I believe Wills walked when he got out of my wagon; but do not know. I saw Voorhes on the road on foot. He went to the next wagon and got in. I do not think I am mistaken in the time. I never was offered or paid any thing for swearing. I have controlled my own movements and time.
Canfield S. Hamilton recalled. On the first examination I said that came up to with me on the day the Smiths were killed. I was mistaken; it was the day before, when was assisting in the prosecution of the Smiths. He was in late that afternoon, and I think staid all night. I think he was in early the next morning, and had a conversation with the , when I think I saw him.
F[ranklin] A. Worrell recalled. Saw that evening, before the killing of the Smiths—heard him say nothing about killing them. Saw that morning, about 8 A.M. Do not know of any Carthage Grey being sent out that day.
William Smith, , sworn. Was one of the Grand Jury at the last Term of the Court, when these were found. , the same witness who testified yesterday in this case, was examined before them. He stated before the Grand Jury that was at the jail when the Smiths were killed, and that he rode a dark bay or sorrel horse, but thought it was a sorrel. Stated that he () was driving a baggage wagon belonging to Fuller. Came up within a quarter or half a mile of the jail, and stopped, and that the saw at the jail on horseback. He asked by some juror whether he was acquainted with , and knew it to be him. He answered that he could not be mistaken—that it was ; and I think said that [p. 25]