Account of Trial, , Hancock Co., IL, 21–28 May 1845, State of IL v. Williams et al. (Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court 1845). Transcribed from shorthand [before 24 Aug. 1858]; handwriting of and Daniel Mackintosh; 106 pages; Report of the Trial of the Murderers of Joseph Smith, 1845, CHL.
from which you could see him plainly? He was about 10 steps from me I stood on the South east corner of the Jail. How long did he hang before he fell? He hung but A short time. What was his position in the window? His head was out, right arm, and one leg. You say did not march his company to the Jail till after all was over? Yes. If he had been there you would have seen them, would you not? I think so. If there had been any miraculous light that moment by Smiths body dont you think you would have seen it? I think I would for I watched him take till hetookhis <the> last breath was out of him. If there had been 4 men parralized you think you wold have seen it? I think I would And you are very confident no such thing occured? I am pretty, confident.
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Did you not know that day before the killing took place of A conspiracy to kill the smiths? No. When you saw these men in the perairy [prairie] did you not know they where coming to kill the Smiths? no. Had you no idea nor knowledge of their object? I had heard it talked about that A mob was going to rescue them. When you saw these men did you thing they where the mormons coming? I did not think but I supposed they where the Mormons. Was you not afraid to stay at the Jail when they came up? No. Had you any weapons yourself? No. On what part of the <his> body did Smith fall? He fell on his left side. Do you think you saw every body and every movement that occured there? No. Was there not A good meny people went with you from the squar? I did not see any rush from town till after all was over. Did they all understand it perfectly well? I dont know but they did. Retired. Court ajourned till 2 o clock P. M.