Nicholas Snowden
Nicholas Snowden was held in the Howard County jail in Maryland in September 1885 when, according to a coroner's jury, about ten masked men arrived before dawn and demanded that the jailer hand him over. The Daily Republican reported that the jailer gave up keys that did not fit, and the men broke the cell lock, took Snowden out and hanged him from a white oak over Cat Rocks near Ellicott City. The coroner's jury returned a verdict of death by strangulation caused by parties unknown, and no one was arrested. A later report from another paper placed the killing at a Maryland jail but could not confirm the town, date or jail staff's response.
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).