Account of Trial, [, Hancock Co., IL], 24–28 May 1845, State of IL v. Williams et al. (Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court 1845); handwriting of ; 101 pages; Wilford Wood Museum, Bountiful, UT; images in Joseph Smith Murder Trial Papers, 1844–1845, CHL.
I live in , and lived there at the time the Smiths were killed— I was there that day the 27th. June, and saw come in town that day on a clay bank <or cream color<ed>> horse a little before sun down— did not See him come in in a two horse buggy— he halted a little above his own dwelling, about opposite to the Post office— I think he got off there— but am not positive— it was a short distance from [Samuel] Flemings tavern— about 40 yards— I never offered Mr. [William] Daniels $500 or any thing else—
Cross— Examined—
I know a great many persons went to on the Boreas about that night <*> <* dont know that an express was sent to that evening before these persons went down on the Boreas—>— It was before sundown that <when> I saw come in <to .>— the sun was perhaps about 20 minutes high— dont know whether he went with [James] Gregg in a two horse buggy waggon to Fleming’s Tavern after night <or not.>— I was not at the Shanties that day, nor heard any thing about beating up for Volunteers— he<> <> said he wanted my horse to follow on towards to persuade the men to come back to — the last time I Saw that day, he was about 5½ miles from — going back towards — I only got within a half or 3/4 of a mile of the Shanties— Dont know that afterwards got into a waggon and Came on to that day— I went back to — Dont recollect to have seen any of these men <Defendants> afterwards that day until towards evening—
Closed at half past 4 o’clock p. m. at 5 O’clock the Court adjourned until 7 O’clock Wednesday morning.— [p. 93]