William Kelaher
William Kelaher was held in the jail at Detroit, Minnesota, on the night of June 23, 1886, when a large crowd of disguised men took him from the jail at about 10 p.m. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that they carried him to a nearby grove, hanged him from a tree and shot his body many times. According to the Savannah Morning News, Sheriff Pinney tried to defend his prisoner but was overpowered. The Daily Republican's brief item does not say whether the jail officers resisted or gave up the keys.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A large crowd of disguised men took him from the Detroit, Minnesota jail, hanged him from a tree and shot his body many times, while Sheriff Pinney's efforts to keep him were overpowered.
Reported by: Detroit (Minn.) special to the St. Paul Pioneer Press (reporters).