| 756 In September or October, 1844, at the instance of the Governor, Murray McConnell, a noted attorney of Jacksonville, Illinois, was sent into Hancock County to investigate. The result of this inquiry was that writs were issued by Aaron Johnson, a justice of the peace at Nauvoo, for the arrest of Levi Williams, Thomas C. Sharp, Joseph H. Jackson, William Law, Wilson Law, Robert D. Foster, and Charles A. Foster. The writs were duly served on all of them, except Williams. Those served refused to go to Nauvoo for a hearing, and no attempt was made to take them there.
At the October term of the Hancock Circuit Court the grand jury brought in two bills of indictment against nine persons, one for the murder of Joseph Smith, and one for the murder of Hyrum Smith. The names of those indicted were Levi Williams, Jacob C. Davis, Mark Aldrich, Thomas C. Sharp, William Voras, John Wills, William N. Grover, -Gallaher, and -Allen.
The trial of these cases occurred before Hon. Richard M. Young, judge, and lasted from May 9, 1845, to May 30, when a verdict of "not guilty," was returned in each case. There is but little doubt of the guilt of each one of these parties. The above account is extracted from '"The Prophet of Palmyra," by Gregg. 2
of the fullness of times, will be pointed out; so that the murder of Abel, the assassination of hundreds, the righteous blood of all the holy prophets, from Abel to Joseph, sprinkled with the best blood of the Son of God, as the crimson sign of remission, only carries conviction to the business and bosoms of all flesh, that the cause is just and will continue; and blessed are they that hold out faithful to the end, while apostates, consenting to the shedding of innocent blood, have no forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come. Union is peace, brethren, and eternal life is the greatest gift of God. Rejoice then, that you are found worthy to live and die for God: men may kill the body, but they cannot hurt the soul, and wisdom shall be justified of her children: Amen.
W. W. PHELPS.
W. RICHARDS.
JOHN TAYLOR.
July 1, l844.
2 An extract from Judge Young's charge to the jury is significant:-
"That when the evidence is circumstantial, admitting all to be proven which the evidence tends to prove, if then the jury can make any supposition consistent with the facts, by which the murder might have been committed without the agency of the defendants, it will be their duty to make that supposition, and find the defendants not guilty.
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