John Hulbert

Who is John Hulbert?

John W. Hulbert, Jr. was the executioner for the states of New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts from 1913 to 1926. Hulbert was trained as "state electrician" by his predecessor, Edwin F. Davis, and oversaw 140 executions during his tenure.

According to his colleague, Sing Sing prison physician Amos Squire, Hulbert became significantly depressed about his job, but performed the duty for the good salary of $150 per execution. Hulbert went to lengths to maintain his privacy, never allowed the press to obtain a photograph, and was described in newspapers as "the man who walks alone." Following a nervous breakdown in 1926, Hulbert retired as executioner. He said, "I got tired of killing people."

In 1929, Hulbert became further depressed over the death of his wife, Mattie, and, at the age of 59, committed suicide by shooting himself. Hulbert was the father of three children.