Governor Ford’s Account

To the People of Illinois.

I desire to make a brief but true statement of the recent disgraceful affair at Carthage, in regard to the smiths, so far as circumstances have came to my knowledge, The Smiths, Joseph and Hiram, have been assassinated in jail, by whom it is not known, but will be ascertained. I pledged myself to their safety, and upon that assurance of that pledge they surrendered as prisoners.