Tom Stephens
Tom Stevens was one of three men held at the jail in Lebanon, Kentucky, in December 1866. According to the Keowee Courier, a mob broke into the jail, called him out of his cell and took him to a hill outside town, where he was hanged. The Newberry Herald reported that the mob forced the jailer to give up the keys after he hid upstairs. The Keowee Courier also reported that a company of United States troops was present but did not act unless the civil authorities asked, and that the marshal was on hand but the troops were not called to defend the jail.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob took Tom Stevens from the Lebanon, Kentucky jail and hanged him from a tree on a hill outside town, after forcing the jailer to surrender the keys.
Reported by: Keowee Courier, reporting the account (reporters); Springfield Weekly Republican (reporters).