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.
quantity of people gathering in of the neighbours as I termed to obey the orders of the before they had got them. I went up stairs about two o clock on hearing Daniels say that he was tired and wanted to go home to his family, and as Mr. Henderson [Anderson] had not gone he thought he had better get up and go with them he accordingly got up and <we> went down to hendersons but they had not got up I suposed they where gone but have understood since they did not go till next day. In conversing with them that rose that morning upon this matter the Generall feelling was that the Missourians had murdered these men, I asked Daniels if they where all Missiorians the reply was they where not missorians he then stated that he knew all about it “for I was in the company” he also stated in the conversation that Francklin Worrel [Franklin Worrell] was hard to manage for it took two or three to hold him down <that> he waved his sword very much and made strong efforts then he said “I am the man who took the sword from him and throw threw it over the fence” I then replied to Daniels in these words how did you feel in seeing this man shot down his reply was that he did not regret it that it did not moov him for they justly diserved it. He then comenced to tell me some names but I said stop it keep that to yourself Mr. Daniels and the conversation upon that subject was at an end. Did he tell you any thing about A light? Not any thing. Did he tell you about seeing 4 men shoot Smith after he fell out of the window? I dont recollect any conversation of that kind with Daniels. Did he tell you that these 4 men where so parrallized they had to carry them off the ground? No.
Cross examined by .
He did not tell you the perticulars of the scercumstance at all? He told me just what I have stated to you. What you told is just what he told you? Yes. He said the officer of the Gaurd was hard to hold down? Yes. When he comenced naming names who did he name? He spoke of that he as a man was a back out and then called him A coured coward and said he turned back to and used his influence to get others to turn, He named another [p. [87]]