Thomas L. Barnes: The Coroner of Carthage and a Witness of the Martyrdom (1844)

Thomas L. Barnes served as coroner of Carthage, Hancock County, Illinois, and was among the officials who examined the scene after the Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith on June 27, 1844. Appointed secretary of the Carthage meeting that followed, Brother Barnes left letters that, as BYU Studies has noted, 'throw some valuable and interesting light on the greatest tragedy in [Latter-day Saint] history.' His preserved testimony is a faith-promoting historical witness of the Martyrdom—an outside observer's record of the event that sealed the Restoration with the blood of the Prophet and his brother.