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John W Hulbert Jr.

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John W Hulbert Jr.

Birth
Auburn, Cayuga County, New York, USA
Death
22 Feb 1929 (aged 61)
Auburn, Cayuga County, New York, USA
Burial
Sennett, Cayuga County, New York, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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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]

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]
Contributor: bill smith (50841439)
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]

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]
Contributor: bill smith (50841439)


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  • Created by: abby
  • Added: Dec 13, 2012
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/102114926/john_w-hulbert: accessed ), memorial page for John W Hulbert Jr. (Sep 1867–22 Feb 1929), Find a Grave Memorial ID 102114926, citing Soule Cemetery, Sennett, Cayuga County, New York, USA; Maintained by abby (contributor 47770484).