Was Joseph Smith arrested in 1826 for Glass looking?

Answer 1

The records are very unclear. Here is what we do know:

In 1825, 19 year old Joseph Smith was hired by Josiah Stowell to participate in a treasure hunting expedition with several other men. This was a somewhat common thing at the time. When the search seemed to be fruitless, Joseph encouraged Mr. Stowell to discontinue the hunt.

In 1826, the nephew or son (records say both) of Mr. Stowell brought charges against Joseph Smith, presumably because they were upset no treasure was ever found. Joseph was accused of being a vagrant and a disorderly person, and a warrant for this misdemeanor charge was put out. (at that time, a person could be charged with being 'disorderly' if they travelled from place to place working odd jobs, as Joseph did.)

The courts did not keep records of misdemeanors, so there are no official court records of any trial, but some personal accounts say that he was examined by the court, and that the event was titled "The People vs. Joseph Smith the Glass-Looker". Since personal accounts say that the case went to court, we can assume that it did. However, most records also say that he was released or aquitted and that it wasn't a 'trial', but more of an 'examination'.

So, we don't know that he was arrested or if he came to court of his own accord, and he was never convicted of anything, but he was brought before the court and accused of being a 'disorderly person' in 1826.