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.
then asked the witness, if a correct copy of the note was given in the pamphlet to which the witness replied, “I dont know how it reads in the pamphlet.”
then read from the pamphlet the copy of the note and then asked the witness if he had stated that to , as the true contents of the note, to wit:
“Now is a delightful time to murder the Smiths. The has gone to with all the troops— The Carthage Greys are left to guard the prisoners. Five of our men will be stationed at the Jail; the rest will be upon the Public Square. To keep appearances you will attack the men at the Jail— a sham scuffle will ensue— their guns will be loaded with blank cartridges— they will fire in the air.”
(Signed) “CarthageGreys.”
To which the Witness replied; “I gave it to as he stated it there— It is pretty much the same as I stated it to , as printed in the pamphlet. I presume the statement is correct. I told it to right after the murders; and I also made an affidavit concerning it which he saw.”
TEXT: The “X”s and asterisk are keyed to similar “X”s and an asterisk on page 28, indicating that the text on this slip should be inserted at that place on page 28.