Valentine Varaga
Valentine Varaga was held in the Watsonville calaboose, the town's lockup, in May 1870. The Watsonville Pajaronian reported that about 30 to 40 men in disguise entered the guarded jail, took the keys and removed Varaga and two other prisoners. The paper said all three were found hanged under the Pajaro bridge the next morning. A coroner's inquest was held, and according to the paper its findings matched the reported facts.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. The Watsonville Pajaronian reports that about 30 to 40 disguised men entered the guarded calaboose, took the keys and removed the prisoners, and that the three men were found hanged under the Pajaro bridge the next morning.
Reported by: Watsonville Pajaronian (reporters); coroner's inquest (medical examiner or coroner).