Young referred to the next session of the Hancock County Circuit Court, which was to begin in Carthage on 19 May 1845. The trials of the nine men indicted for the murders of JS and Hyrum Smith were scheduled to be heard during this session. Of the nine men, only five were ever brought to trial. (Indictment, 26 Oct. 1844, Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court, Civil and Criminal Files, 1830–1860, State of Illinois v. Williams et al. [Hancock Co. Cir. Ct. 1845], microfilm 1,521,604, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)
U.S. and Canada Record Collection. FHL.
Opponents of the Latter-day Saints employed a similar tactic at the October 1844 term of the Hancock County Circuit Court held at Carthage, Illinois, by using rumors of a joint Mormon-Indian attack to pressure the court to adjourn. According to reports received by the Illinois State Register, these rumors were intended by anti-Mormons to “raise a huge excitement in the country; and cause a great many people to turn out to help them, in their war.” (“Mormon Affairs,” and “Another Letter from Hancock,” Illinois State Register [Springfield], 1 Nov. 1844, [2].)
Illinois State Register. Springfield, IL. 1839–1861.
Fielding’s assessment resembles that of an anonymous correspondent from Carthage to the Illinois State Register who stated two weeks earlier that “the great body of our people are desirous of peace, and oppose the violent schemes of the few. This assassin faction cannot marshall more than 80 men in the county.” (“Hancock Affairs,” Illinois State Register [Springfield], 24 Apr. 1845, [3].)
Illinois State Register. Springfield, IL. 1839–1861.
On 13 May 1845 Governor Thomas Ford issued orders to Miner R. Deming, brigadier general of the Hancock County militia, authorizing him to “call out and employ a sufficient force of Militia from your Brigade,” if necessary, to protect the court, the jurors, and the witnesses from mob violence. (Thomas Ford, Springfield, IL, to Miner R. Deming, Carthage, IL, 13 May 1845, copy, in Thomas Ford, Springfield, IL, to Almon Babbitt, 17 May 1845, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.)
Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.