Died in jail or a lockup
Smeltzer
A man named Smeltzer was taken from the jail at Natchez by a party of men in disguise on January 10, 1860, according to the Alexandria Gazette, and was hanged from a tree in the Court House yard. The account gives nothing about who he was or what family or work he had. It does not say how jail staff responded or whether they resisted, gave up the keys, or handed him over.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched
Reported by: historical newspaper report.