Memorandum of Testimony, circa 27 October 1844, Copy [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.]
Source Note
John J. Hicok and James Reynolds, Memorandum of Testimony, , IL, ca. 27 Oct. 1844, State of IL v. Williams et al. (Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court 1845). Copied [ca. May 1845]; handwriting of ; four pages; Wilford Wood Museum, Bountiful, UT; images in Joseph Smith Murder Trial Papers, 1844–1845, CHL.
them to “Shoot the G—d d—d Scoundrel (or rascal) a man with a puter flute in his hand went and raised him up and said “Joe I know you, you are the man that had my daddy Shot” They then Shot him. I saw a number come out of the jail— there were wounded one man they called John Wills, was shot in the right arm in the wrist, he said he had shot — and Joe had shot him. A man called William Voras was wounded in the left shoulder. a man of the name of Gollaher [Gallaher] was grazed on the side of the face. I saw a man the name of Allen, a cooper, Shooting with others. I saw the Carthage Greys standing as before mentioned till the Smiths were killed, they then came towards the jail— told the men to run for the Carthage Greys would be upon them. after they got a little way from the jail said for Gods sake come back and take away your men, they stopped and did so. The reason I noticed the Carthage Greys forming was I expected them to form: on account of the information the Carthage Grey man riding on an iron grey Poney brought when he met the men on the Prairie as aforesaid— he told them what way to go, and told them when they got to a certain place along a certain fence, to fire a signal of 3 guns, as soon as the signal was fired the Carthage Greys would form, and come down to the jail. From the distance from the jail to the place where they were to give the signal, he thought the Carthage Greys would get to the jail first and if they did so they would kill the Smiths, but if the others got to the jail first they were to kill the Smiths. I went from the jail to , and next day went home. I went to the week before the Smiths were killed, and was there for several days— till the day the Smiths were killed. The first time I saw was in — the time of the trial concerning the Kidnapping of Avery last Christmas or new year’s— When I was in , I saw him every day. Know it was I saw at the jail as before mentioned. I live in the South East corner of the , said I went through because it was my road home. I was offered $2,500. if I would leave the so as not to testify against the men who killed the Smiths $1,500— in money & $1,000. in real estate in this was made me in . I do not expect to receive any remuneration [p. [2]]