June 27, 1844

Carthage, Illinois

Joseph Smith prepared a list of witnesses regarding the charge of treason to give to Cyrus Wheelock. Governor Ford took the most neutral troops away from Carthage for a visit to Nauvoo, leaving the Carthage Greys to guard the jail. The last letter written by Joseph Smith was an urgent request for legal services from O. H. Browning. While in protective custody at Carthage Jail, Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith were both shot and killed by an armed mob. After their deaths, the treason cases causing the Smiths' incarceration were dismissed.