Died in jail or a lockup
Nicholas Snowden
Nicholas Snowden was held in the Howard County jail in Maryland when about ten masked men arrived before dawn on September 18, 1885, and demanded that the jailer hand him over. The jailer gave up keys that did not fit, so the men broke the cell lock, took Snowden out and hanged him from a white oak over Cat Rocks near Ellicott City. A coroner's jury returned a verdict of death by strangulation caused by parties unknown, and no one was arrested.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A coroner's jury returned a verdict of death by strangulation caused by parties unknown after a mob took him from the Howard County jail and hanged him.
Reported by: Coroner's jury (medical examiner or coroner).