CS
Cornelius Sweeney
1884
Cornelius Sweeney.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Jailer Cornelius Sweeney succumbed to a gunshot wound when a group of men opened fire on the jail.
A subject had been arrested for sexual assaults. For days, a mob would form and threaten to break the prisoner out of jail. Finally, on August 24th, a group of men fired at the guards, striking Jailer Sweeney and starting their assault on the jail. Civilians came to the aid of the guards and forced the mob to retreat. When the riot was over, the prisoner was found dead in his cell.
Jailer Sweeney succumbed to his injuries three months later.
Jailer Sweeney was a Civil War veteran. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, four stepdaughters, and a stepson.
A subject had been arrested for sexual assaults. For days, a mob would form and threaten to break the prisoner out of jail. Finally, on August 24th, a group of men fired at the guards, striking Jailer Sweeney and starting their assault on the jail. Civilians came to the aid of the guards and forced the mob to retreat. When the riot was over, the prisoner was found dead in his cell.
Jailer Sweeney succumbed to his injuries three months later.
Jailer Sweeney was a Civil War veteran. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, four stepdaughters, and a stepson.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, four stepdaughters, and a stepson.
Service Record
Also Served
Refugio County Sheriff's Department
Jailer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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