Died in jail or a lockup
Sam Woodruff
Sam Woodruff was held in the jail at Golden when, on the night of December 27, 1879, a mob of about 150 men broke in, took him out and hanged him from a bridge. A newspaper report published in January 1880 stated that he declared his innocence to the end. No one has independently confirmed that claim.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched
Reported by: news reports.