Died in jail or a lockup
Fred Rochelle
Fred Rochelle, an 85-year-old Black man, was being held in the custody of the Polk County sheriff in Bartow, Florida. On May 20, 1901, a mob came to the jail, took him from the sheriff's care, and burned him at a stake. The Mt. Sterling Advocate reported that the sheriff and a guard of deputies tried to protect him but were overpowered.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched
Reported by: Polk County sheriff and deputies, as described in the newspaper account (the agency that held him); newspaper account of the burning (historical news reporting) (reporters).