Barney Brett
Barney Brett was a well-known citizen of Portage City, Wisconsin, according to a telegraph dispatch sent in September 1869. The dispatch reports that he was shot and died almost at once in an incident involving W. H. Spain, who was being taken to jail by officers when a mob of citizens seized him from them. The mob, the dispatch says, put a rope around Spain's neck, dragged him to the nearest tree and hanged him.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody. A Western Union telegraph dispatch from Portage City says W. H. Spain shot Barney Brett, and a mob then seized Spain from officers and hanged him.
Reported by: Western Union telegraph dispatch datelined Portage City (reporters); Memphis Daily Appeal telegraph report (reporters).