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Introduction to State of Illinois v. Williams et al. and State of Illinois v. Elliott–C Complaint, 22 September 1844 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Warrant, 22 September 1844 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Proclamation, 27 September 1844 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Proclamation, 27 September 1844, as Published in Nauvoo Neighbor [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Agreement, 30 September 1844 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Agreement, 30 September 1844, Copy [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Agreement, 2 October 1844 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Agreement, 2 October 1844, Copy [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Agreement, 2 October 1844, as Published in Warsaw Signal [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Recognizance, 2 October 1844 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Praecipe, 9 October 1844 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Praecipe, 25 October 1844 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Indictment, 26 October 1844 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Indictment, 26 October 1844, Copy [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Docket Entry, Indictment, 26 October 1844 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Praecipe, 26 October 1844 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Docket Entry, Capias, 26 October 1844 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Docket Entry, Discharge from Recognizance, 26 October 1844 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Docket Entry, Recognizance, 26 October 1844 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Memorandum of Testimony, circa 27 October 1844 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Memorandum of Testimony, circa 27 October 1844, Copy [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Order, circa 19 November 1844 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Warrant, 20 November 1844 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Warrant, 20 November 1844, as Published in Reports [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 14 December 1844–A [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 14 December 1844–B [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 14 December 1844–C [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 14 December 1844–D [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Attachment, 14 December 1844 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Bond, 20 March 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 8 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Bond, 17 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Praecipe, circa 18 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 19 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Docket Entry, Recognizance, 19 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 20 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Affidavit, 20–21 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Affidavit, 21 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Docket Entry, Motion, 21 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Docket Entry, Affidavits and Motions, 21 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 21 May 1845–A [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 21 May 1845–B [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Account of Trial, 21–28 May 1845, Shorthand [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Account of Trial, 21–28 May 1845, Longhand [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Oath, 22 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 22 May 1845–A [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 22 May 1845–B [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 22 May 1845–C [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 22 May 1845–D [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 22 May 1845–E [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Venire Facias, 22 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Instructions for Jury Selection, 22 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Alias Venire Facias, 22 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Docket Entry, Writs of Venire Facias, 22 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Attachment, 23 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 23 May 1845–A [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 23 May 1845–B [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 23 May 1845–C [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 23 May 1845–D [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Docket Entry, Pluries Venire Facias, 23 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Attachment, 24 May 1845–A [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Attachment, 24 May 1845–B [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Attachment, 24 May 1845–C [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 24 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Docket Entry, Motion Withdrawn, 24 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Docket Entry, Attachments, 24 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Docket Entry, Continuance, 24 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Account of Trial, 24–28 May 1845–A [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Account of Trial, 24–28 May 1845–A, as Published in Trial of the Persons Indicted [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Account of Trial, 24–28 May 1845–B [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 26 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Docket Entry, Continuance, 26 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Attachment, 27 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 27 May 1845–A [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Subpoena, 27 May 1845–B [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Docket Entry, Continuance, 27 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Closing Argument of Josiah Lamborn, 28 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Closing Argument of Calvin A. Warren, 28 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Closing Argument of Calvin A. Warren, 28 May 1845, as Recorded in “Minutes of Trial” [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Docket Entry, Continuance, 28 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Docket Entry, Continuance, 29 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Closing Argument of Onias Skinner, 29 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Closing Argument of Onias Skinner, 29 May 1845, Copy [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Closing Argument of Orville Browning, 29 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Jury Instructions, 30 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Verdict, 30 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Docket Entry, Verdict, 30 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Docket Entry, Attachment, 30 May 1845–A [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.] Docket Entry, Attachment, 30 May 1845–B [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.]

Account of Trial, 24–28 May 1845–A, as Published in Trial of the Persons Indicted [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.]

Testimony of Jonas Hobart, 24 May 1845 Page 2 Testimony of John Peyton, 24 May 1845 Page 3 Testimony of George Walker, 24 May 1845 Page 3 Testimony of Franklin Worrell, 24 May 1845 Page 4 Testimony of Baldwin L. Samuel, 24 May 1845 Page 4 Testimony of George Bachman, 24 May 1845 Page 5 Testimony of John D. Mellen, 24 May 1845 Page 5 Testimony of Canfield Hamilton, 24 May 1845 Page 5 Testimony of Eli H. Williams, 24 May 1845 Page 5 Testimony of William Daniels, 24 May 1845 Page 6 Testimony of John Wilson, 26 May 1845 Page 13 Testimony of Thomas L. Barnes, 26 May 1845 Page 14 Testimony of Eli D. Walker, 26 May 1845 Page 15 Testimony of Thomas Dixon, 26 May 1845 Page 17 Testimony of Eliza Graham, 26 May 1845 Page 18 Testimony of Benjamin Brackenbury, 26 May 1845 Page 21 Testimony of Canfield S. Hamilton, 27 May 1845 Page 25 Testimony of Franklin Worrell, 27 May 1845 Page 25 Testimony of William Smith, 27 May 1845 Page 25 Testimony of James Reynolds, 27 May 1845 Page 26 Testimony of Larkin Scott, 27 May 1845 Page 27 Testimony of Derrick Fuller, 27 May 1845 Page 27 Testimony of John Pike, 27 May 1845 Page 27 Testimony of John Carlisle, 27 May 1845 Page 28 Testimony of Coleman Garrett, 27 May 1845 Page 28 Testimony of Thomas L. English, 27 May 1845 Page 28 Testimony of George Seabold, 27 May 1845 Page 29 Testimony of Charles Andrews, 27 May 1845 Page 29 Testimony of George McLean, 27 May 1845 Page 29 Testimony of Abraham I. Chittenden, 27 May 1845 Page 30 Testimony of Edward Bedell, 27 May 1845 Page 30 Testimony of John Wilson Williams, 28 May 1845 Page 30 Testimony of E. W. Gould, 28 May 1845 Page 31 Testimony of Ann Fleming, 28 May 1845 Page 32

Source Note

Account of Trial, [
Carthage

Located eighteen miles southeast of Nauvoo. Settled 1831. Designated Hancock Co. seat, Mar. 1833. Incorporated as town, 27 Feb. 1837. Population in 1839 about 300. Population in 1844 about 400. Site of acute opposition to Latter-day Saints, early 1840s. Site...

More Info
], Hancock Co., IL, 24–28 May 1845, State of IL v. Williams et al. (Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court 1845). Published [ca. 30 July 1845] in Trial of the Persons Indicted in the Hancock Circuit Court for the Murder of Joseph Smith at the Carthage Jail, on the 27th Day of June, 1844, Warsaw, IL: Warsaw Signal, 1845.

Historical Introduction

See Introduction to State of Illinois v. Williams et al. and State of Illinois v. Elliott–C.
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation. Account of Trial, 24–28 May 1845–A [ State of Illinois v. Williams et al. ] Account of Trial, 24–28 May 1845–A, as Published in Trial of the Persons Indicted [ State of Illinois v. Williams et al. ]

Page 29

had not sufficient intelligence to write a book. He asked why, I told him I thought his education was deficient. He then said, “As a friend and brother chip, I’ll tell you. I have a friends to aid me in it, and it suits me better to support my family than working.” He did not think a man that could make an easy living should work hard; the world owed him a living, and he meant to have it. We were always good friends. In October last he proposed we should go hunting. Whilst out, he said he was to get $500 if he could only work out some hit to swear against some people; there was a man at the City hotel the day before, who had offered it, and he was not right sure whether to take it. Said if he could get it, he would pocket the money and go to
New York

Located in northeast region of U.S. Area settled by Dutch traders, 1620s; later governed by Britain, 1664–1776. Admitted to U.S. as state, 1788. Population in 1810 about 1,000,000; in 1820 about 1,400,000; in 1830 about 1,900,000; and in 1840 about 2,400,...

More Info
where he came from, and leave them all. I told him he was getting into a very curious business. He said he did not know much about it, at present but he could get into it after a while. He left
Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

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soon after, and I never saw him again till last Thursday, in
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

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.
Cross Examined sworn. After he came from
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

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in August or September, he said he got $100 in trade for writing a book. I never saw the book. I think it was about September. I did not hear what Daniels said in Court. Told me he was to get $500 for getting up something to swear against the men who killed the Smiths. Said if he could get the $500 he would give them all leg bail, and take his family to his friends in
Buffalo

Located in western New York on eastern shore of Lake Erie at head of Niagara River and mouth of Buffalo Creek. County seat. Settled by 1801. Land for town allocated, 1810. Incorporated as village, 1813, but mostly destroyed later that year during War of 1812...

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or
Rochester

Located at falls of Genesee River, seven miles south of Lake Ontario, on Erie Canal. Founded 1812. Incorporated as village, 1817. Originally called Rochesterville; name changed to Rochester, 1822. Incorporated as city, 1834. County seat. Population in 1820...

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. I was born in Ireland. I may have talked this, but to no one in particular. I wrote to
Mr. [Thomas] Sharp

25 Sept. 1818–9 Apr. 1894. Teacher, lawyer, newspaper editor and publisher. Born in Mount Holly, Burlington Co., New Jersey. Son of Solomon Sharp and Jemima Budd. Lived at Smyrna, Kent Co., Delaware, June 1830. Moved to Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania...

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about it, say about a month ago.
Mr. Sharp

25 Sept. 1818–9 Apr. 1894. Teacher, lawyer, newspaper editor and publisher. Born in Mount Holly, Burlington Co., New Jersey. Son of Solomon Sharp and Jemima Budd. Lived at Smyrna, Kent Co., Delaware, June 1830. Moved to Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania...

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gives me nothing. Daniels said he had been in
Warsaw

Located at foot of Des Moines rapids of Mississippi River at site of three military forts: Fort Johnson (1814), Cantonment Davis (1815–1818), and Fort Edwards (1816–1824). First settlers participated in fur trade. Important trade and shipping center. Post...

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, and worked for Philip Thomas; said nothing of being at
Carthage

Located eighteen miles southeast of Nauvoo. Settled 1831. Designated Hancock Co. seat, Mar. 1833. Incorporated as town, 27 Feb. 1837. Population in 1839 about 300. Population in 1844 about 400. Site of acute opposition to Latter-day Saints, early 1840s. Site...

More Info
. I have been in
Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

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more than two years.
Testimony of George Seabold, 27 May 1845
George Seabold sworn. Live in
Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

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, follow the coopering business, and am acquainted with [William] Daniels. He worked in the same shop, at Chapman’s, opposite the City hotel. Daniels told me he had some way of making $500, but would not tell me how then. Two days after he told me he could make $500, and a man at the City hotel had offered it to him. He intimated that it was for prosecuting these men—said it was for prosecuting the men who killed the Smiths.
Testimony of Charles Andrews, 27 May 1845
Charles Andrews sworn. Live in
Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

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, am a carriage painter, and have known [William] Daniels for the last two years. He came to my house on the 5th or 6th of July last, and told me he was just from
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
. I asked him what had been going on, and he replied that he had seen both Joseph and
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

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killed; that he had got some money from
Emma

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

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to bear his expenses. He then took a handfull out of his pocket. There was nothing more said then. Some time after, he told me he was offered $500 to clear out, and asked me what I thought of it. I replied that I would devilish quick go. I asked him who offered of it, and understood him that he was offered it by
Mr. [Edward] Bedell

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of
Warsaw

Located at foot of Des Moines rapids of Mississippi River at site of three military forts: Fort Johnson (1814), Cantonment Davis (1815–1818), and Fort Edwards (1816–1824). First settlers participated in fur trade. Important trade and shipping center. Post...

More Info
. He said he should stay; that he could get $1000 from the
State

Became part of Northwest Territory of U.S., 1787. Admitted as state, 1818. Population in 1840 about 480,000. Population in 1845 about 660,000. Plentiful, inexpensive land attracted settlers from northern and southern states. Following expulsion from Missouri...

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. I said, suppose they kill you, which I am afraid some one will; and he replied, that if they did, his wife would get the money, and that is just as well. I do not recollect any other conversation about it. My wife and Daniels’ wife are sisters. I do not know Eliza Graham; think I have heard Daniels speak of her.
Cross Examined. I do not know whether the
Governor

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

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was in
Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

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then or not. Daniels saw the
Governor

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

View Full Bio
when he was there in the fall—said he was acquainted with the
Governor

5 Dec. 1800–3 Nov. 1850. Schoolteacher, newspaperman, lawyer, politician, judge, author. Born in Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania. Son of Robert Ford and Elizabeth Logue Forquer. Moved to St. Louis, 1804; to New Design (later American Bottom), Randolph...

View Full Bio
. Said
Emma Smith

10 July 1804–30 Apr. 1879. Scribe, editor, boardinghouse operator, clothier. Born at Willingborough Township (later in Harmony), Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. Daughter of Isaac Hale and Elizabeth Lewis. Member of Methodist church at Harmony (later in Oakland...

View Full Bio
gave him about $10 to bear his expenses. Daniels said he was going to take the highest bid. I suppose he knew all about the difficulty. Did not put much confidence in what he said about offers. Am well acquainted with Daniels for the last two years. I was afraid if he told all about the murder, some of the murderers would kill him.
Testimony of George McLean, 27 May 1845
George McLane [McLean] sworn. Live in
Quincy

Located on high limestone bluffs east of Mississippi River, about forty-five miles south of Nauvoo. Settled 1821. Adams Co. seat, 1825. Incorporated as town, 1834. Received city charter, 1840. Population in 1835 about 800; in 1840 about 2,300; and in 1845...

More Info
, am a cooper by trade, and [p. 29]
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Related Case Documents

State of Illinois v. Williams et al., Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court, 30 May 1845

Editorial Title
Account of Trial, 24–28 May 1845–A, as Published in Trial of the Persons Indicted [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.]
ID #
13338
Total Pages
32
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