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.
Says he lives in this town () was in town the day that Smith was killed— Was <up> at the Jail a few minutes after Smith was killed— a few minutes after the crowd had dispersed— I belonged to the Carthage Grays— saw , and that day— did not see [William] Grover or — Saw & not as much as three or four minutes, say about a minute before the firing commenced at the Jail— Saw on the N. W. corner of the Public Square— Saw out in front of ’s office out in the same direction— did not see them in advance of us as we went to the Jail— dont recollect to have heard or say any thing about the firing— there was something said in the camp about it— but they were not in the camp— The Carthage Grays went to the Jail— heard of no understanding that the Smiths were to be killed that evening— Some of the Carthage Grays were somewhat unwilling to go up, and appeared a little scared— most of the men were in camp and were very soon ready to go— when we got there the men were gone about 300 yards— [p. 13]