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.
2nd. John Peyton— was part of the day at home in the country on the day Smith was killed— saw all five of the Defendants on that day— Saw some of them in — <Saw> & in very early in the morning— we were fixing that morning in to take up the line of march to — went part of the way, and were discharged by one of the defendants— dont know that was there when we were discharged— we were discharged 5 or 6 miles from — , and [William] Grover and were there or about there when we were discharged— It was something near 12 oclock when we were discharged— heard make a small speech to the Troops at the time they were discharged— he said that Jo. Smith was now in custody— that the Mormons <had a majority in the > would electt the officers— and by that means they would select their own jury— and Jo Smith would be discharged— he said nothing about killing Smith— or some of them beat up for volunteers to go to — thinks it was — Cant say what their intentions were in going to — it was about 10 miles from — Saw start towards among some of the [p. [4]]