On This Date in Minnesota History: August 13

August 13, 1901 – Michael Griffin, a prisoner in the Farmington jail, was found dead this morning when an officer went to attend him. He had committed suicide sometime over night by hanging himself by his suspenders to the door of his cell. Griffin had been arrested for alleged indecent exposure.

Little is known in town about Griffin, and his story will not be complete until alleged relatives can be contacted. He arrived in Farmington only ten days ago and secured employment on the farm of Patrick Casey, who lives near town. He told Mrs. Casey that he was a brother of former Congressman Griffin, now deceased, of Eau Claire, Wis., and also asserted he was a veteran of the Spanish-American War. He was between 40 and 45 years of age.

The coroner of Dakota County has been summoned and will search the personal effects of the dead man and endeavor to reach his relatives, if any can be located.

The Minneapolis Journal; “Hanging to a Cell Door. Michael Griffin Kills Himself. A Stranger at Farmington Who Claimed to Be a Brother of Congressman Griffin.”; Aug. 13, 1901; p. 1.

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