EXECUTIONER FOUND DEAD

Evening Star, Issue 20149, 13 April 1929, Page 24

EXECUTIONER FOUND DEAD

MURDER OR SUICIDE ? GRIM TALES OF ELECTRIC CHAIR NEW YOlMx. Mnnli "2. The police auborifics ol New York Slate were unable to make up their minds to-day whether John TV. H.nlliert, who was found shot dead in a cellar at his home yesterday afternoon, and whoso hand turned the switch which sent to their deaths 3-10 murderers while he was State except loner. committed suicide or was the victim ol vengeance. Eor vears Tiulberi had lived in mortal fear of assassination, a fear that was concealed behind a gay exterior. When travelling between Ins homo and fling Sing Prison he never used a sleeping coach in the train, but always lode awake m the day coach. On at least ono occasion poison was put in Ids loud, and he only recovered a low minutes before the time necessary to pciiorm ilia duties of his office. His fears lor his life noticeably increased several years ago, when ho went to Omaha to introduce the electric chair then*, but was threatened witli banging by an enraged populace, and fled I com tin; town. Halbert was a curious character--silent, friendless, unfriendly, and, outwardly at least, callous to the horrors of his office. He once saved a 10s taxi fare bv riding on a hearse with the, body of a man hc'liad just electrocuted—the hearse being paid for Tiy the family ol the deceased. Shortly before an execution he would sit resting in the electric chair smoking JO-cent cigars. Once, however, when putting to death a, man ho knew well, he was so affected that he had to he held up by the guards at the switchboard in the death chamber, after being given a stimulant which was intended for the man who was to be executed. Among famous murderers electrocuted bv Hulbert were Police.-licnlenniit Charles' Becker and Dr Wiate, the dentist. Hulbert succeeded Davis ns New York State executioner in 10E1. being the second to bold that title. The present executioner is .Elliot, who succeeded Hulbert. The electricp-hair was put to its first test—an inglorious onein ISSO, when William ITemmler was ex-ccntod under painful circumstances involving the burning of flesh and lingering torture. —B enter.