John Swanagan

John Swanagan died on May 30, 1895, while held in the Henderson jail in Kentucky. The American Citizen reported that people held in the jail tried to break out, and that jail officials then beat him with clubs until he died. A coroner's jury returned a verdict exonerating the jailer and his assistants.

Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed). A coroner's jury exonerated the jailer and his assistants, but the account says jail officials clubbed him to death with billies during a jailbreak attempt.

Reported by: coroner's jury (medical examiner or coroner).

Source

• The American Citizen, June 7, 1895, page 1 The American Citizen, June 7, 1895