In the original document the questions and answers appear together in paragraphs. The testimony is presented here split into questions and answers so it that it is easier to follow. All spelling, grammar, and spelling inconsistencies are in the original text. The document is said to contian the verbatim record of the witnesses’ testimony in the 1845 trial of those accused in the murder of Joseph Smith.
Mr. Worrel Sworn:
Mr. Worrel, was you one of the gaurd, at the Jail, the say that Smith was killed.
I was.
Was you in town all that day.
I was.
Was you near the Jail.
I was.
Did you see Smith where he was killed.
I did.
Did you see any of these five men there.
I did not.
How many men were there at the time Smith was killed.
I could not say, but I suppose from one to two hundred.
How long did they stay.
I suppose three or four minutes.
What did they do, when they first, came.
The first motion was to come up in front of the Jail and when they had got formed there, they made a rush for the door.
Did many go up stairs.
I could not say.
Was smith shot in a number of places.
I can not say I never examined the body.
Did you see any body there, you knew, after the deed was done.
I did not.
Was there a good deal of confusion.
There was.
Was any of them disguised.
Some looked as if they had wet there hands, and put powder on their faces.
How many were disguised.
In my opinion about thirty or forty.
The thing was done in great hurry and confusion I suppose.
It was.
Did you hear anything said.
I cannot say, the pieces were going off, all the time, so that I could not either see, nor hear, anything said.
Where was you, when they made a rush to the door.
I was at the door.
Then you stood in the door.
No I was sitting on the door, step, when the men came up.
Did you change your position.
I was pushed, and [illegible], away about fifty feet in the crowd.
Did any go into the yard.
[illegible, looks like ‘These’ or ‘There’] did.
How far is the fence, from the door.
It is about fifteen feet from the door.
Smith was killed inside of the yard.
I suppose. He was.
How many of the mob, was inside of the fence.
The larger portion of them was inside of the fence, but there was some out and some in.
Did any stop to examine his body.
No.
Did you see Smith when he died.
I did.
How long did he live after he fell.
Not to exceed a minute after he struck the ground.
Did you see him hanging in the window.
I did not.
You saw him die.
I did.
Which way did the Mob, come.
From the direction of Nauvoo a north western [illegible] down the fence.
Is not that the [illegible] direction to Warsaw down that fence.
No it is direct from Nauvoo.
Which direction does the fence run.
It runs directly west, the Warsaw road is a little South.
What is the direction from here to Nauvoo.
It is north of west.
Could they not go to Warsaw and go that way.
They can go to Warsaw by [illegible, looks like ‘quitting’] the road.
In what direction is the Railroad shanties.
They are in a direct line to Warsaw, a little south of west.
Were their any on horseback.
I don’t recollect of seeing any on horseback at the time.
Did the men in town come up, after the Mob had retired.
There were men, who had been in on duty from the country and some of the citizens, came up.
Did you see any of these five men come up with them.
I think I saw Mr. Oldridge come up with them.
How long after Smith was killed was it that you saw Mr. Oldridge there.
About fifteen minutes after the event.
What time in the evening was it.
Between five and six O. clock.
Did you see Williams there.
I do not recollect, I am satisfied I did not see him there.
Was he in town.
He was.
How far is the Railroad shanties from Carthage.
Twelve miles.
Was, Grover here.
I did not see him.
Was Davis here.
I did not see him.
You saw Williams and Oldridge, both here that evening.
I think I did.
You are acquainted with almost every body in the County.
I suppose , I am acquainted with about one third.
And there was between one hundred to one hundred and fifty people there and you did not know a single one.
No there was such a hurry I could not tell who was there.
He retired.
Franklin Worrel Captain of the Gaurd, that was at the Jail, when the Mob, came up, was again called into the witness box by [illegible, looks like ‘Squire’] Lamburn to ask him questions that were before omitted, Mr. Browning for the defence, stood up in opposition to his asking him any further questions, which cause an investigation of the Law upon the subject which lasted some time, but [illegible] was finally decided by the Court that Mr. Lamburn have the privilege with strict injunctions, upon the witness not to answer any questions that would implicate himself.
Mr. Worrel, Do you know if the Carthage [illegible, looks like ‘Greys’] that evening loaded their guns, with blank catridge,
at this question Mr. Browning and Mr. Richardson spoke out to the witness saying you need not answer that question.
I know nothing about the Carthage [illegible, looks like ‘Greys’], only the six men that I had to do with.
Well do those six men, load their guns, with black cartridge that evening.
I will not answer it.
Let it go to the County there in that way, that he would not answer the question for fear of implicating himself.
-Retired-
(Mr. Lamborn called upon Worrel again to answer a few more questions, it was opposed by the Defendants counsel, Mr. Lamborn complained of the manner he had [illegible, looks like ‘disapointed’] in the [illegible, looks like ‘geting’] of his wittenesses, it was desided he should examin Worrel again.)
Mr. Worrell I would ask you if during that [illegible] you saw Williams before the mob came [illegible]?
Yes.
Did you hear him say anything in reference to the killing?
I did not.
Did you see any of these other men before the mob came up?
I [illegible, looks like ‘do’ has been written over ‘did’] not recollect but I think I saw Mr. Sharp.
Where was Williams that afternoon?
In the street.
Did you speak to him yourself?
I think not.
Did you know of any Carthage [illegible, looks like ‘Gray’] sent out that day?
No I do not think any [illegible, looks like ‘Gray’] went out that day.
Cross examined by Mr. Browning.
What time in the morning did you see Sharp?
About 8 oclock the time the orders where given to disband the troops.
Do you know wether he had staid in town the night before?
I do not know.
He retire.