Footnotes
For additional details on the events leading to the deaths of JS and Hyrum Smith, see Oaks and Hill, Carthage Conspiracy.
Oaks, Dallin H., and Marvin S. Hill. Carthage Conspiracy: The Trial of the Accused Assassins of Joseph Smith. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1975.
Sixteen of the eighteen men who were charged with committing a riot are listed here. Samuel Bennett and William Edwards, whose names also appear on the original writ, are not listed. In order to supply the necessary sureties, John S. Fullmer wrote, “I went it to the full extent of my worth; so did others.” Five hundred dollars was more than twice the upper limit (two hundred dollars) of the fine that could be imposed on someone convicted of riot. (JS, Journal, 12 June 1844; Warrant for JS et al., 11 June 1844, copy, JS Collection, CHL; John S. Fullmer, Preston, England, to George A. Smith, 27 Nov. 1854, Historian’s Office, JS History Documents, ca. 1839–1860, CHL, underlining in original; An Act Relative to Criminal Jurisprudence [1 July 1833], Laws of the State of Illinois [1834–1837], p. 220.)
Historian’s Office. Joseph Smith History Documents, 1839–1860. CHL. CR 100 396.
Laws of the State of Illinois, Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835. Vandalia, IL: J. Y. Sawyer, 1835.