Account of Trial, [], 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.
. Think was here; but am not positive. went down with the Greys from town. Heard no signal guns fired from edge of timber. The men were dead, and mob gone before Greys got there. went by our side. The mob were two hundred yards off when we got there. Saw passing on the street. Did not see when Greys went down. They went as fast as they well could. Did not see on horseback. Think was in a buggy.
George Bachman sworn. Saw and before the firing at the jail. took dinner at 20 or 30 minutes before the murder. Saw when we were marching to the jail. I was in Thatcher’s company. Did not see meet . Did not see or [William] Grover or . Did not hear or say any thing about the matter. There were but few people staid in town that night. I stayed with the family where I boarded. told the people all to leave town.
Canfield S. Hamilton sworn. Kept tavern in when Smiths were killed. Was at home that night. A good many people came to supper about dark—none late at night. Don’t know of any going to [Samuel] Fleming’s. Saw about 8 or 9 o’clock. Saw and [William] Grover about same time. Can’t say that I saw . The news was that Joe was killed. Known all over town. Heard none of the Defendants say any thing about killing the Smiths. Did not see Defendants on the road to . Went down myself in a carriage. Dodge went with me. never any admissions to me. Never heard any of the Defendants speak of killing of the Smiths. came out with me to in carriage on the day the Smiths were killed. May be mistaken; but think not. This was about 7 A. M.
Eli H. Williams sworn. I live in . Was in town the day the Smiths were killed. Was at the jail a few minutes after the killing. Belong to Greys. Don’t recollect of seeing any that I knew except those who went to jail with me. I saw , and that day. Saw and about a minute before firing commenced. Saw but a short time before. Saw on north-west corner of the square, and at ’s office. Did not hear or say any thing when firing commenced. The Greys went to jail. Did not see go to jail. I knew of no understanding that Smiths were to be killed. Don’t know that the Greys halted on the route. It was but a short time after I heard the first gun until we were at the jail. The mob was then 300 yards off. It is 300 yards from the corner of the square to the jail. was going east. [p. 5]