Closing Argument of Onias Skinner, 29 May 1845, Copy [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.]
Source Note
, Closing Argument, [, Hancock Co., IL], 29 May [1845], State of IL v. Williams et al. (Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court 1845). Copied [29 May–20 June 1845]; handwriting of and printed text; thirty-one pages; Wilford Wood Museum, Bountiful, UT; images in Joseph Smith Murder Trial Papers, 1844–1845, CHL.
A military form suddenly disbanded— their expectations defeated— military disciplin & rigor thrown off— the soldier at an unexpected moment became the citizen; & without a leader— without any plan, aim or object adopted by any three of them— without any Common purpose or design, some were going to to see what had become of the arms belonging to their Companies which had been taken to — some for going to & having a dinner— some were cursing the Mormons who had been the cause of all their troubles— some were abusing the , & some were shooting at marks. This, Gentlemen, is the formed to kill the Smiths. Nothing can be more absurd & ridiculous than the assertion of , that these men there formed & composed a conspiracy for that purpose — & nothing can be more supremely ridiculous than that & were there making rebellious & seditious speeches & inciting these men on to blood, or that was ordering them in that object in getting up volunteers. Had or any one then & there made such a speech as charged— a speech designed & calculated to call out the base passions of men— to excite in them the spirit of sedition & rebellion— to drive from them all human restraint [p. 7]