Fountain Martin

Fountain Martin was held in the Wayne County jail at Monticello, Kentucky, in February 1896. Reports say a mob of about twenty to fifty masked men entered the jail, took him from his cell and hanged him about five miles out in the country near Steubenville. One account says the mob overpowered the jailer and took his keys, then unlocked the cells, and that his body was later found without his coat, hat or shoes. Another man held with him, Jim Straxtill, was also taken from his cell and escaped, according to the reports.

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

Sources (5)

• The San Francisco Call, February 18, 1896, page 2 The San Francisco Call, February 18, 1896
• Delaware Gazette And State Journal, February 20, 1896, page 7 Delaware Gazette And State Journal, February 20, 1896
• The Kanabec County Times, February 21, 1896, page 2 The Kanabec County Times, February 21, 1896
• The Hope Pioneer, February 21, 1896, page 2 The Hope Pioneer, February 21, 1896
• Griggs Courier, February 21, 1896, page 6 Griggs Courier, February 21, 1896