Account of Trial, [, Hancock Co., IL], 24–28 May 1845, State of IL v. Williams et al. (Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court 1845); handwriting of ; 101 pages; Wilford Wood Museum, Bountiful, UT; images in Joseph Smith Murder Trial Papers, 1844–1845, CHL.
I live in — I am a Cooper by trade— I am acquainted with William M. Daniels— got acquainted with him in and worked with him in the same shop— in Mr. Chapman’s shop opposite the City Hotel— Has had a conversation with Daniels about his being a witness in this case— He told me he could make a speculation of $500 I asked him what it was— he said he would <could> not tell me at that time— that Said he could make $500— and that there was a man at the City Hotel who would give <it to> him $500 that he could make a certain speculation by in this way by prosecuting the men who were supposed to have killed the Smiths— he did not Say who they were— nor did he tell me their names—
I live in — am a Carriage Painter— by trade— I am acquainted with William M. Daniels, has known him for the last two years— has had a conversation with him about the men who killed the Smiths— He came to my house in on the 5. or 6 of July last— from — I asked him what was going on— he said he had seen Joseph & , both of them killed— that he had got some money from to bear his expenses— he then took out a handfull out of his pocket— there was nothing more said at that time— sometime [p. 89]