Died in jail or a lockup
John Smith
John Smith was a farmer from the eastern part of the county. He was held at the Ottumwa police station. On the morning of his scheduled hearing, a mob overpowered Marshal Vanneman and Deputy Marshal Davis, took him, and hanged him from an iron lamp post in front of the city hall. The account says the officers were overpowered and did not hand him over.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A crowd overpowered the marshal and deputy holding him at the Ottumwa police station, took him and hanged him from a lamp post in front of city hall.
Reported by: news reports.