RIK Osceola, Nebraska, 68651, providing the information from the
Polk County History Record Book,
R&XK Osceola, Nebraska, 68651, providing the information from the
Polk County History Record Book,
BAXK Osceola, Nebraska, 68651, pr i ation from the
County y Record Book,
JULY 2, Lees
SMITH, Milton W, .
Smith, a white man, and his wife, Ruth, lived in Osceola, Nebr.,
where he worked as a farm laborer and at odd jobs, On Thanksgiving
night, Nov. 27, 188), he shot and killed her, He also attempted to
kill their children before he fled and hid in some cornstalks nearby
where he was discovered and taken to jail, The populace was incen-
sed and when he was being taken to the jail, a mob attempted to take
custody of him an hang him but, as they did not have a rope at hand,
they permitted him to go on to the jail. They obtained a rope and
when they reached the jail they learned that Smith had cut his own
throat and was near death, so they disbanded. He recovered to stand
trial in March, 1885, and he was convicted following proceedings
that lasted for four days, He was hanged at Osceola on July 2h,
1885, A large fence had been constructed around the gallows in order
that the execution might be private, but the over 5,000 people who
had gathered to witnessgthe execution demolished it early that morn-
ing and he hwas hanged in themidst of & large and unruly crow.
GALVESTON DAILY NEWS, Galveston, Texas, July 25, 1885
Letter from Philip H, Nyberg, Treasurer, Polk County Historical Sec,,
July 2), 1885
SMITH, Milton Ww
Smith, a white man, and his wife, Ruth, lived in Osceola, Nebr.,
where he worked as a farm laborer and at odd jobs, On Thanksgiving
night, Nov. 27, 188), he shot and killed her. He also attempted to
kill their children before he fled and hid in some cornstalks nearby
where he was discovered and taken to jail. The populace was incen-
sed and when he was being taken to the jail, a mob attempted to take
custody of him an hang him but, as they did not have a rope at hand,
they permitted him to go on to the jail. They obtained a rope and
when they reached the jail they learned that Smith had cut his own
throat and was near death, so they disbanded. He recovered to stand
trial in March, 1885, and he was convicted following proceedings
that lasted for four days, He was hanged at Osceola on July 2h,
1885, A large fence had been constructed around the gallows in order
that the execution might be private, but the over 5,000 people who
had gathered to witnessxethe execution demolished it early that morn-
ing and he hwas hanged in themidst of & large and unruly crowd,
GALVESTON DAILY NEWS, Galveston, Texas, July 25, 1885
letter from Philip H, Nyberg, Treasurer, Polk County Historical Soc.,
July 24, 1665
SMITH, Milton Ww
Smith, a white man, and his wife, Ruth, lived in Osceola, Nebi
where he worked ag a farm 1:
night, Nov. 27, 188), he shot and killed her,
kill their children before he fled and hid in some cornstalks nearby
where he was discovered and taken to jail, The populace was incen-
sed and when he was being taken to the jail, a mob attempted to take
custody of him an hang him but, as they did not have a rope at hand,
they permitted him to go on to the jail. They obtained a rope
and
when they reached the jail they learned that Smith had cut his own
throat and was near death, so they disbanded,
trial in March, 1885, and he was convicted following proceedings
He recovered to stand
that lasted for four days. He was hanged at Osceola on July 2h,
1885, A large fence had been constructed around the gallows in order|
that the execution might be private, but the over 5,000 people who
had gathered to witnessethe execution demolished it early that morn-
ing and he hwas hanged in themidst of & large and unruly crow,
GALVESTON DAILY NEWS, Galveston, Texas, July 25, 1885
ele from Philip H. Nyberg, Treasurer, Polk County Historical Soce,
yam, Hatten te ‘Taly ay 2885
