Account of Trial, , Hancock Co., IL, 21–28 May 1845, State of IL v. Williams et al. (Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court 1845). Transcribed from shorthand [before 24 Aug. 1858]; handwriting of and Daniel Mackintosh; 106 pages; Report of the Trial of the Murderers of Joseph Smith, 1845, CHL.
like lightening. What time in the after noon was it? It was in the evening. Was it in the east side of the house or in the shade of the house? In the shade. There was no sunshine falling in that place? no. Have you been following your trade since you went to ? No. What did you follow there? I have not been doing any thing. Have you A painting or engraving there representing the Death of the Smiths? There is one there. Have you been exhibiting it? It was <hanging> in the room, and the people wished me to tell them about it. They wanted to know of this light I supose. Yes some thing. And after it was painted you exibited it? Yes. Did you give instructions to the painters? No body told them about it. I told them when exhibiting it that the light was wrong.
. You say you did not have any thing to do with the painting of it? I had nothing to do with it. it was done by other people? Yes. The court adjourned till manday morning 7 O clock.
Mr. John Willson of sworn. . Mr. Willson where was you on the day smith was killed? I was in till after dinner and was sent out on the periary [prairie]. Which way? On the road to , What was your object in going on the road? To look out for the Mormons. Cap. Barns [Thomas L. Barnes] called upon me. After dinner was over. I went up to Store, and lay upon the store counter for one hour; I set out of the store into the street and [John W.] Morrison called upon me by my name and told me to get upon his horse and go in his place, I asked him where to, said he Cap. Barns will tell you; I said to him, I dont care where I went nor what I done; I went and got on his horse, and we started Docter John W. Morrison and Docter Thomas L. Barns went with us. You called him Cap. what company is he Cap of? He is Cap. of the ranging company. Where is Cap. Barns now? There he is (pointing to A man in the Court) How far did you go out on the pariary? 4 miles. What did you see when you went out 4 miles? We did not see any persons. In what direction was you from the road? We was North of the road. Did you see any thing of A company that came here to kill Jo Smith? We did not. Did any of the company with you [p. [45]]