Charles Howard
Charles Howard spent most of his years in the minstrel business, according to the Chicago Tribune. Before dawn on December 15, 1874, about 150 disguised men entered the jail in Des Moines, Iowa, overpowered the jailer and guards, and took the cell keys. They took Howard from his cell, dragged him to a lamp post in the courthouse yard, and hanged him. A dispatch said the killing was likely carried out by members of a local vigilance committee.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob of about 150 disguised men overpowered the jailer and guards at the Des Moines jail, took the cell keys, dragged Howard from his cell and hanged him from a lamp post, according to press dispatches.
Reported by: Special dispatch from Des Moines, Iowa, as reprinted in the Chicago report (reporters); Chicago Tribune dispatch (reporters); press dispatch from Des Moines (reporters).