Columbus Nutterfield
Columbus Nutterfield was about 28 years old and was held in the Shelby County jail at Shelbyville, Illinois. The Press and Tribune reported that a mob broke into the jail, took him, and was found hanging from a tree just east of town, and a coroner's jury found he died by violence at the hands of persons unknown. The Worcester Daily Spy reported that a disguised mob had taken him from the jail the previous week and hanged him a short distance from the town. The Press and Tribune said local residents regarded the killing as an atrocity and believed he deserved a trial by the courts. Neither account says whether jail officers resisted the mob or gave up the keys.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A disguised mob took Columbus Nutterfield from the Shelby County jail at Shelbyville, Illinois, and hanged him near town, according to a news report citing a note found on his body signed 'many citizens'; the article does not say whether jail officers resisted.
Reported by: coroner's jury (medical examiner or coroner); news report citing the mob's note found on the body (reporters).