Died in jail or a lockup
Coker
Fred Coker, a Black man, was held in the jail in Springfield, Missouri, in April 1906. On the night of April 14, a mob broke into the jail cells, took him and hanged him from a light tower in the town square shortly before midnight. The Community Voice reports that a crowd of about 5,000 people took part. The Pascoag Herald reported that the mob did not seek or receive evidence supporting the accusations against the men it killed. The Community Voice says police and county officials did not act to stop the killings.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob broke into the Springfield, Missouri jail, took Coker and two other men, and hanged them from a light tower in the public square.
Reported by: news reports.