Nathaniel Pope was the judge in this courtroom (the only Federal courtroom in Illinois), located on the 2nd floor of the Tinsley building, where Lincoln had his office on the 3rd floor. It was here that Joseph Smith was brought for an extradition hearing. He had been charged in the attempt on former Governor Boggs’ life, and Missouri wanted the Prophet brought back to face charges there. The prosecutor presented his case, and since Joseph was not in Missouri at the time of the attack and no one could prove Joseph ordered Porter Rockwell to shoot the governor, Judge Pope dismissed the charges.
Of note are Mr. Butterfield’s opening remarks: “May it please the Court; I appear before you today under circumstances most novel and peculiar. I am to address the ‘Pope’ (bowing to the judge) surrounded by angels (bowing still lower to the ladies), in the presence of the holy Apostles, in behalf of the Prophet of the Lord.” One of the ladies was Mrs. Lincoln. (Illinois State Bar Association, Case of Jo. Smith, the Mormon Prophet) Unfortunately we have no record of Joseph ever meeting with Abraham Lincoln. However, Joseph was friends with Stephen Douglas, Lincoln’s opponent in many elections.
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