Oscar Chitwood
Oscar Chitwood was held at the jail in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in late December 1910. According to an Associated Press report carried by the Pensacola Journal on December 27, 1910, about twenty-five masked men overpowered the deputy sheriff in charge of him before daybreak and shot him to death just outside the jail. The deputy was held at gunpoint, and the mob left the jail yard after a short time without harming other prisoners. A later report said a coroner's jury was investigating the killing, and the prosecuting attorney wanted more testimony before the jury could report its findings.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob of about twenty-five masked men overpowered the deputy sheriff and shot Chitwood to death outside the Hot Springs jail, according to the Associated Press.
Reported by: Associated Press (reporters); coroner's jury (medical examiner or coroner).