Lynching of George Witherell

On December 4, 1888, a vigilante mob in Cañon City, Colorado lynched convicted murderer George Witherell.

Background

In 1871, George Witherell and his accomplice, Eugene Wright, were involved in the murder of L.K. Wall in Elbert County, Colorado. Witherell bludgeoned Wall to death with a rifle, and both men subsequently covered Wall's body with stones before selling the sheep. Following the discovery of Wall's body, Witherell and Wright were identified as suspects. They were apprehended in Nebraska, where a confrontation with a police officer resulted in Wright being wounded. Both men were extradited to Denver, convicted, and sentenced to life imprisonment. In 1876, Wright escaped from jail, while Witherell served 16 years before being released for good conduct in 1887.

Upon his release, Witherell encountered Charles R. McCain in Beaver Creek, Colorado Witherell hired McCain to transport ore to Denver to mine falsely claiming ownership of the mine and intending to steal McCain’s possessions, which included a wagon, mules, and several hundred dollars. On their first night, Witherell murdered McCain while he slept, dragging the body into a mountain canyon and covering it with stones. Witherell then returned to Denver with McCain's possessions and sold them. When McCain's family reported the absence of McCain, Witherell was held suspect and arrested in Denver. After McCain's remains were discovered,"A vigilance committee was organized in Cañon City and the announcement was publicly made that Witherell would be lynched upon arrival". The Fremont County sheriff Griffith headed to Denver to take Witherell back home. Griffith feared Witherell would be lynched if he arrived in Cañon City, delaying his departure to abate the outrage. He left Denver and quietly arrived at the Fremont County jail in Cañon City.

Throughout his criminal career, George Witherell was convinced of committing six murders across Colorado. He stood accused of murdering two Swedes in September 1888 in Silverton, and with the murder of Jamie Hand and his grandparent in El Paso County in June 1888. Furthermore he was convicted of another murder in Douglas County, but escaped jail shortly afterwards.

Lynching

Lifeless body of George Witherell hanging from a telephone pole in Cañon City, Colorado, after being lynched on December 4, 1888

Sheriff Griffith believed he had arrived in Cañon City with George Witherell undetected. However, this proved incorrect when a vigilante mob arrived at the jail, demanding Witherell's release. Despite Sheriff Griffith's attempts to resolve the situation peacefully, the situation escalated. At 4 a.m., a larger group of masked men arrived and knocked on the jail door. Griffith, unaware of their intentions, opened the door and was immediately overpowered and bound by the vigilantes. His 15-year-old son, who was present, began to protest. The mob then coerced the boy into unlocking Witherell's cell. As the mob stormed the cell, Witherell attempted to defend himself with a bed leg but was shot in the shoulder and disarmed. A rope was placed around his neck, and he was dragged outside, where he was hanged from a telephone pole. No legal action was taken against those responsible for the lynching.