Died in jail or a lockup
Shellabarger
Shellabarger, a man, was held in a jail in Nebraska when a mob took him from the jail and lynched him in July 1887. One account says the mob came early on a Sunday morning, after militia had earlier dispersed a crowd and the danger of violence seemed over. A Montana paper called the lynching a snap judgment on the authorities and said he died swearing he would haunt his executioners. Whether jail staff resisted the mob, gave up the keys, or handed him over is not stated in the reports.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob took Shellabarger from the Nebraska jail and lynched him early on a Sunday morning, after militia had earlier dispersed the crowd.
Reported by: Butte Semi-Weekly Miner (reporters).