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.
office. It contains the names of, and proceedings of the Principal Murderers of Joseph and ; Such, Senator — Signal, — and others. These pamphlets may be had at this office, and at ’s Store— (Signed) William Wm M. Daniels
May 7. 1845
To which the Witness answered, “I told I wanted him to put a piece in, that the pamphlets were there for sale— I did not see the advertisement until it was published— I ordered the advertisement but worded it to suit himself”. <I told him > that the “Warsaw Signal” had advertised “ASecondDanielcometoJudgment”, and that he <I> wanted <him> to write an advertisement for him <me> with that in it— but that in all other respect had worded it to suit himself.
then read as follows from the Pamphlet, and asked the witness if the facts as narrated were true, to wit: “The ruffian who set him (Smith) againstthe well curb now gathereda bowieknifefor the purposeofsevering his head fromhisbody. He raisedtheknife and wasin theattitude of striking when a lightsosudden and powerful, burst from the Heavensupon the bloody scene, passing its vivid chain between Joseph and his murderers, that they were struck with terrified awe and filled with consternation. This light in its appearance and potency baffles all powers of description. The Arm of the ruffian that held the knife, fell powerless; the [p. 25[b]]