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 ; fifty-seven pages; Collection of Manuscripts about Mormons, 1832–1954, Chicago History Museum.
I did not come alone to several came with me after we left the Company 4 miles back— they said nothing to me about the killing the Smith’s. The Troops permitted me to leave them & come to — I dont know that I said any thing to them at the rail road— I put my gun in the wagon at the rail road I dont know that any one knew that I was opposed to the murder of the Smith’s— I told them that if the Augusta troops were there it was would not be so— I did not try to prevent them— I did not make any effort to get to before them. I knew they knew all about it the Greys— I heard them at , say the Carthage Gr[e]ys were in the plot. When I got to I went immediately to the Jail— & stood in road— in front of the Jail— I saw the guard there— they were inside the enclosure— dont know how long the troops stopped at the Jail, say 15. minuts. when the troops came up to jail they had a scuffle clinched two of them— the guards fired— I was in front of the jail all the time— I did not go inside the enclosure— at all— could not get into jail without going over enclosure— about 8 or 10 feet from jail to enclosure— I stood about middle the street— [p. [15]]