Martin Tabert
Martin Tabert was 22 years old and had left his family's farm in North Dakota, one of 12 children, because he wanted to see the world, his nephew recalled. He was held at a Putnam Lumber Company camp in Dixie County, Florida, where eyewitness Glen Thompson and others said a camp whipping boss flogged him dozens of times and beat him severely. Tabert died three days later, and the company told his family he had died of fever and other complications. Florida prosecutors brought a murder case against the boss, who was convicted of second-degree murder, but that conviction was overturned and he was later found not guilty at retrial. The eyewitness and the prosecutors dispute the company's fever explanation.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed). The lumber company told his family he died of fever and other complications, but fellow prisoners say the camp whipping boss flogged him and stomped on his neck, and Florida prosecutors pursued a murder case over it.
Reported by: Putnam Lumber Company (the agency that held him); Glen Thompson and other fellow prisoners (witnesses); Florida prosecutors.