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Biography
John W. Hulbert, Jr. (also John Hurlbert) (September 1867, Auburn, New York – February 22, 1929, Auburn, New York) 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 going into the cellar of his home and shooting himself. Hulbert was survived by two children, Martha, age 24, and John D., age 29. He was buried beside his wife in Soule Cemetery, Sennett, New York.