This book shows an excellent picture of the non-Mormon view of attitudes and events surrounding the deaths of the two Church leaders.
The original article entitled "The Mormon Prophet's Tragedy" by future Secretary of State John Hay, appeared in the "Atlantic Monthly" and was subsequently reprinted by the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1905. Because John Hay was in Carthage at the time of the assassination of Joseph and Hyrum Smith (although he was only six years old at the time) he spoke with some authority and was believed by most readers. In this rebuttal, Elder Whitney corrects several errors and misrepresentations of fact surrounding the martyrdom. As both an Apostle and Church Historian, Elder Whitney was aware of the damage created by the article for those who were unfamiliar with the circumstances leading to and culminating at Carthage. 98 pages
