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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 9

say whether there was fifty, or how many; men were up at the door of the tent, both behind and before.
There are statements in the pamphlet, which I gave to
Littlefield

21 Nov. 1819–1 Sept. 1893. Printer, compositor, newspaper editor, painter. Born in Verona, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Waldo Littlefield and Mercy Higgins. Moved to Pontiac, Oakland Co., Michigan, between 1830 and 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ...

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. There are a good many facts in it. I do not know of any fact in it that I did not give him. I forget what is in it.
Littlefield

21 Nov. 1819–1 Sept. 1893. Printer, compositor, newspaper editor, painter. Born in Verona, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Waldo Littlefield and Mercy Higgins. Moved to Pontiac, Oakland Co., Michigan, between 1830 and 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ...

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went to
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
to get the old manuscript published, and I went with him. The facts are the same as in the manuscript. I came to
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
from the Railroad Shantee, where the troops were disbanded. I did authorize the advertisement for the sale of the pamphlets in the Nauvoo Neighbor.
Judge [William W.] Phelps

17 Feb. 1792–7 Mar. 1872. Writer, teacher, printer, newspaper editor, publisher, postmaster, lawyer. Born at Hanover, Morris Co., New Jersey. Son of Enon Phelps and Mehitabel Goldsmith. Moved to Homer, Cortland Co., New York, 1800. Married Sally Waterman,...

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wrote it; I never saw it till it came out. The facts are as near as I can relate, except as to the light. The troops were disbanded at the Railroad Shantee by
Col. Williams

18 Apr. 1794–27 Nov. 1860. Postmaster, farmer, military officer. Born in Madison Co., Kentucky. Married Mary (Polly) Reid. Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, ca. 1831, eventually settling in Green Plains. Served in Black Hawk War, 1832. Served as captain in ...

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, and volunteers were called for to come to
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
to kill the Smiths. I do not know how far this was from
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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—it was about noon. Cannot tell what time, but pretty early, when the 20 men were picked; but a short time before we left. After they heard 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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had disbanded the troops, they called back the 20 men. They sent a man with a white horse to call them back. I do not know who he was, or whether he returned. I think the 20 men met them at the Railroad, but am not certain. We waited till they returned and eat dinner. The 20 men made no report that I heard. They were talking—some said they knew what they went for, and others not. I joined the company in the morning; had not been discharged. Had been permitted to go out of the tents, but not to cross the lines; I was a prisoner when I joined the company.
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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was on horseback at the crossings; I did not see him or
Aldrich

22 Jan. 1802–21 Sept. 1873. Furrier, postmaster, land developer, merchant, politician. Born in Washington Co. (later in Warren Co.), New York. Son of Artemas Aldrich and Huldah Chamberlain. Moved to Hadley Township, Saratoga Co., New York, by Aug. 1810. Moved...

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after I left the crossings, nor
Williams

18 Apr. 1794–27 Nov. 1860. Postmaster, farmer, military officer. Born in Madison Co., Kentucky. Married Mary (Polly) Reid. Moved to Hancock Co., Illinois, ca. 1831, eventually settling in Green Plains. Served in Black Hawk War, 1832. Served as captain in ...

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till I saw him at the jail. There was one speech made by
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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, I heard no other; he sat on his horse when he spoke. -[Here
Mr. [Orville] Browning

10 Feb. 1806–10 Aug. 1881. Lawyer, politician. Born at Cynthiana, Harrison Co., Kentucky. Son of Micajah Browning and Sarah Brown. Attended Augusta College, in Augusta, Bracken Co., Kentucky. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, ca. 1831, and practiced law...

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read the following passage from the Pamphlet published by Daniels, which is mentioned above:—
My fellow citizens! improve the opportunity that offers; lest the opportunity pass, and the despotic Prophet will never again be in power. All things are understood, we must hasten to
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...

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and murder the Smiths while 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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is absent at
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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. Beard the Lions in their den. The news will reach
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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before 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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leaves. This will so enrage the Mormons, that they will fall upon and murder
Tom Ford

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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, and we shall then be rid of the d—d little —
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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and the Mormons too.
Daniels continued:—]- He spoke of the necessity of killing the Smith’s or I took it in that sense. I understood him to advise killing the Smiths;
Littlefield

21 Nov. 1819–1 Sept. 1893. Printer, compositor, newspaper editor, painter. Born in Verona, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Waldo Littlefield and Mercy Higgins. Moved to Pontiac, Oakland Co., Michigan, between 1830 and 1834. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ...

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put in the filling of the printed speech.
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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said he knew
Ford

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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would be 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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, and that they would kill him. As near as I can recollect, he said, that if they killed the Smiths, it would so enrage the Mormons that they would kill
Ford

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
, and we would get rid of both Mormons that 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
too. Do not recollect that he swore, or used [p. 9]
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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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