Cicero Jellerson

Cicero Jellerson, a man held in the jail at Audubon, Iowa, was taken out by a mob in the early morning of February 4, 1885, according to several newspaper accounts. The Bismarck Weekly Tribune reported that his mother and sister Dora went to look at his body and asked what would be done with it. Accounts say the mob broke into the jail, and one says the sheriff, who had vowed to defend the prisoners in his charge, was overpowered. Most accounts agree he was hanged from a band stand or grand stand in the public square, or in the park.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob broke into the Audubon, Iowa jail and hanged Cicero Jellerson from a band stand in the town square, after the sheriff was overpowered.

Reported by: Audubon, Ia. dispatch published in the St. Landry Democrat (reporters); Chicago report of a Des Moines dispatch (reporters).

Sources (10)

• Springfield Weekly Republican, February 6, 1885, page 5 Springfield Weekly Republican, February 6, 1885
• Bismarck Weekly Tribune, February 6, 1885, page 1 Bismarck Weekly Tribune, February 6, 1885
• Huntsville Gazette, February 7, 1885, page 1 Huntsville Gazette, February 7, 1885
• The Magnolia Gazette, February 12, 1885, page 1 The Magnolia Gazette, February 12, 1885
• Turner County Herald, February 12, 1885, page 3 Turner County Herald, February 12, 1885
• Milford Chronicle, February 13, 1885, page 4 Milford Chronicle, February 13, 1885
• Griggs County Courier, February 13, 1885, page 8 Griggs County Courier, February 13, 1885
• St. Landry Democrat, February 14, 1885, page 2 St. Landry Democrat, February 14, 1885
• The Citizen, February 14, 1885, page 3 The Citizen, February 14, 1885
• Wessington Springs Herald, February 27, 1885, page 2 Wessington Springs Herald, February 27, 1885