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 was in on the morning of the 27th. day of June last in the morning— It was the day the Smiths were killed— I saw here (in ) that morning, immediately after breakfast— he was in company with , in the ’s room when I first Saw them at — after which invited him into another room— I think it was before 8 o’clock in the morning— I was previous to the ’s convening a council of the officers— to consider whether he would counntermand the order which he had previously given to march to at 8 o’clock that morning—
Cross-examined by
Dont know whether was present when the Council was held or not— I was not present myself I Saw him just before the Council was held— They determined not to go to — the main body of the Troops were dismissed— except ’s Company of Augusta— and Some of the Troops— The Troops were not disbanded but kept on Guard— The two Companies were the Carthage Greys, and another company, the name of which I do not recollect— The Troops were disbanded— The Augusta Troops went with to — The Smiths were then in Custody at the Jail— There was great excitement I Saw Michael Barnes riding out that day <I did not See a Carthage Grey riding out that day— <on ad◊◊> <on a dun horse—>> he was was the only man I saw going out— I asked him where he was going— he said he was going home— <his father lived in a north west direction, and he was going that way <*> <(*I suppose he was going there—>> was trying to persuade the that morning not to disband the troops but to march immediately to — I think there was about 600 troops here at — exclusive of the troops at — It was reported that there were 500 from — [p. 94]
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