John Hulbert (executioner)

John W. Hulbert Jr. (also John Hurlbert) (September 1867 in Auburn, New York – February 22, 1929 in Auburn, New York[1]) was the executioner for the states of New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts from 1913 to 1926.[2][3] Hulbert was trained as "state electrician" by his predecessor, Edwin F. Davis, and oversaw 140 executions during his tenure.[4]

John W. Hulbert
Born(1867-09-00)September , 1867
Auburn, Cayuga County, New York, USA
DiedFebruary 22, 1929(1929-02-22) (aged 61)
Auburn, Cayuga County, New York, USA
Cause of deathSuicide
Burial placeSoule Cemetery, Sennett, New York, USA
OccupationElectrician, Executioner
EmployerState of New York
TitleState electrician
Term1913–1926
PredecessorEdwin F. Davis
SuccessorRobert G. Elliott
Spouse(s)Mattie Hulbert

Hulbert was initially hired for $50 per execution, although his predecessor had been paid $250.[5] The amount later increased to $150.[5] According to his colleague, Sing Sing prison physician Amos Squire, Hulbert became significantly depressed about his job, but performed the duty for salary.[6] Hulbert went to lengths to maintain his privacy, never allowed the press to obtain a photograph,[7] and was described in newspapers as "the man who walks alone."[8] Following a nervous breakdown in 1926, Hulbert retired as executioner. He stated

I got tired of killing people.[2]

— John Hulbert

In 1929, Hulbert became further depressed over the death of his wife, Mattie, and, at the age of 61, committed suicide by going into the cellar of his home and shooting himself.[9] He was buried beside his wife in Soule Cemetery, Sennett, New York.[10]

See also

References
  1. "Hulbert, Former Executioner, Is a Suicide; Man Who Put 140 to Death Shoots Himself". New York Times. February 22, 1929. p. 12.
  2. Gonnerman, Jennifer (January 18, 2005). "The Last Executioner". The Village Voice.
  3. Solotaroff, Ivan (November 2002). The Last Face You'll Ever See: The Culture of Death Row. Harper. pp. 22–23. ISBN 978-0-06-093103-2.
  4. Banner, Stuart (March 2003). The Death Penalty: An American History. Harvard University Press. p. 195. ISBN 0-674-01083-3.
  5. "Executioner Boosts Fee, Sing Sing Electric Chair Operator Demands $250 for each Murderer". Oneonta Daily Star. New York. 24 February 1920. p. 2.
  6. Conover, Ted (June 2001). Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing. Vintage. p. 190. ISBN 0-375-72662-4.
  7. No known photograph of Hulbert exists.
  8. Gado, Mark (November 2007). Death row women: murder, justice, and the New York press. Praeger. pp. 30–31. ISBN 978-0-275-99361-0.
  9. Abbot, Jeffrey (April 2006). Execution: The Guillotine, the Pendulum, the Thousand Cuts, the Spanish Donkey, and 66 Other Ways of Putting Someone to Death. St. Martin's Press. p. 190. ISBN 0-312-35222-0.
  10. "John W Hulbert Jr". Find A Grave. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
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