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.
Here again read from the Pamphlet as follows, and asked the witness if he had so stated it as correct, to wit:
“when President Smith had been set against the well curb, and began to recover, ordered four men to shoot him. Accordingly four men took an eastern direction, about eight feet from the curb, standing partly at their rear, and made ready to execute the order. While they were making preparations and the muskets were raised to their faces, President Smith’s eyes rested upon them with a calm and quiet resignation. He betrayed no agitated feelings, and the expression upon his Countenance seemed to betoken his inward prayer “O, Father forgive them, for they know not what to do” they do”.
To which the witness answered, that “the Statement as printed in the Pamphlet is more of s filling— I dont claim the authorship of saying that Smith’s eyes were open; and that his look and countenance was calm and quiet— I did not tell so— I told you before ( (directing his remarks to ) I do not claim the authorship of all as it is printed in that Book.”
TEXT: This asterisk and “SS” are keyed to an asterisk and “SS” on page 31, indicating that the text on this slip should be inserted at that place on page 31.