Kansas City Journal publishes David Whitmer recollection of how he learned about Joseph and the plates.
David Whitmer, in "Mormonism," Kansas City Journal, 5 June 1881
I had never seen any of the Smith family up to that time, and I began to inquire of the people in regard to them, and learned that one night during the year 1827, Joseph Smith, jr., had a vision, and an angel of God appeared to him and told him where certain plates were to be found, pointing out the spot to him, and shortly afterward he went to that place and found the plates, which were still in his possession.