Charles Francis Woodward

Charles Francis Woodward was held in the jail at Casper, Wyoming. Reports at the time said that before he died he asked the crowd to pray for them and sent word to his wife that he loved her dearly. Early on March 28, 1902, a mob of about 200 men, or by another account about two dozen masked men, broke down the jail door with sledges and hammers and dragged him out. Most reports say the sheriff refused to hand over the keys, while one says he was overpowered and bound. The mob hanged him from a tree about a block away, even though the state supreme court had granted a stay of execution the week before.

Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody

News reports (9)

• Americus Times-Recorder, March 29, 1902, page 1 Americus Times-Recorder, March 29, 1902
• The Savannah Morning News, March 29, 1902, page 1 The Savannah Morning News, March 29, 1902
• The Age-Herald, March 29, 1902, page 6 The Age-Herald, March 29, 1902
• The Montgomery Advertiser, March 29, 1902, page 5 The Montgomery Advertiser, March 29, 1902
• The Evening Bulletin, March 29, 1902, page 1 The Evening Bulletin, March 29, 1902
• Richmond Dispatch, March 29, 1902, page 8 Richmond Dispatch, March 29, 1902
• The Times, March 29, 1902, page 6 The Times, March 29, 1902
• Atlanta Semi-Weekly Journal, March 31, 1902, page 3 Atlanta Semi-Weekly Journal, March 31, 1902
• The Scranton Chronicle, April 5, 1902, page 1 The Scranton Chronicle, April 5, 1902