Alva Ames

Alva Ames was a carpenter in his forties. He was being held in the Rockford, Illinois jail in early February 1897 when he died in his cell. Newspaper reports said he hanged himself from his bunk with a noose made from his shirt. The reports said he was afraid a mob would storm the jail and lynch him.

Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide

Reported by: news reports.

News reports (6)

• The Morning News, February 2, 1897, page 5 The Morning News, February 2, 1897
• Birmingham State Herald, February 2, 1897, page 4 Birmingham State Herald, February 2, 1897
• The Roanoke Times, February 2, 1897, page 1 The Roanoke Times, February 2, 1897
• Richmond Dispatch, February 2, 1897, page 1 Richmond Dispatch, February 2, 1897
• The Times, February 2, 1897, page 2 The Times, February 2, 1897
• The Mena Weekly Star, February 3, 1897, page 1 The Mena Weekly Star, February 3, 1897