Mera

Martin Mera was held in the jail at Watseka, Illinois, in July 1871, when a mob took him from the jail and hanged him from a huckleberry tree west of Sugar Creek, according to the Rutland Weekly Herald. The Yorkville Enquirer reported that about one thousand people, including men, women and children, took part, while the Rutland paper counted about 250 men with women and children following. The Rutland paper said the authorities tried to stop the mob. A coroner's inquest was held over the body.

Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched

Reported by: Chronicling America newspaper reports of the 1871 Watseka lynching (reporters).

Sources (3)

• Yorkville Enquirer, July 13, 1871, page 2 Yorkville Enquirer, July 13, 1871
• Springfield Weekly Republican, July 14, 1871, page 7 Springfield Weekly Republican, July 14, 1871
• Rutland Weekly Herald, July 20, 1871, page 4 Rutland Weekly Herald, July 20, 1871