Died in jail or a lockup
Victor Hillis
Victor Hillis was held in the McMinnville jail in Tennessee, along with his brother William. Shortly after midnight on April 26, 1896, about fifteen masked men entered the jail, and according to the Morning News they overpowered the jailer and took his keys. The Evening Bulletin reported that the jailer was dragged from his bed and forced to give up the keys. The men took Victor and William about five miles from town and hanged them, and accounts of the struggle inside the jail differ.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A mob of about fifteen masked men overpowered the jailer, took his keys, and took Victor Hillis from the McMinnville jail and hanged him.
Reported by: news reports.