David Whitmer tells Zenas Gurley that the "interpreters" were taken from Joseph after Martin Harris lost the 116 pages.

Questions asked of David Whitmer at his home in Richmond Ray County Mo. Jan 14 1885. relating to Book of Mormon, and the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of L. D. S. by Elder Z. H. Gurley. . . .19. Were the plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated in Joseph Smiths possession while translating and seen and handled by several different persons, if not, where were they? Ans—I do not know. 20. Q—Did Joseph use his “peep stone” to finish up the translation? if so why? Ans—He used a stone called a “Seers stone,” the "Interpreters” having been taken away from him because of transgression. . . . 25: Q. Were you present during any of the time of translation, if so, state how it was done. Ans—The “Interpreters” were taken from Joseph after he allowed Martin Harris to carry away the 116 pages of Ms of the Book of Mormon as a punishment, but he was allowed to go on and translate by the use of a “Seers stone” which he had, and which he placed in a hat into which he buried his face, stating to me and others that the original Character appeared upon parchment and under it the translation in english which [enabled him?] to read it readily.See Full