June 2019 - Mike's History Blog

A LECTURE — For the Hereditary Order of the Signers of the Bush Declaration, I was recently asked to examine the era in our criminal justice system when the sheriff was the county executioner or hangman. This gruesome responsibility was eventually centralized in the state prison systems, but the duty remained in the hands of local lawmen until the 20th century.

the sheriff was the hangman. A photograph of the Franklin County PA Prison and Gallows — A program about the time when the sheriff was the hangman or executioner

In 1906, the State of New Jersey took on the responsibility for executing the condemned, while Maryland took similar action in 1922. I drew on archival and fieldwork involved with examining crime and punishment in the 18th, 19th and early 20th century, for the lecture. This included working with long unexamined coroner’s inquests, court proceeding — death warrants, pleas, motions, and trial transcripts — dockets, and police blotters to develop an understanding of how local law enforcement carried out the grim task for centuries.

The sheriff was the hangman when they executed John Brown in Hagerstown on June 30, 1916. (Photo Credit: Postcard Courtesy of the Western Maryland Room at the Washington County Free Library).

For more on when the sheriff was the Executioner

When the Sheriff was the Hangman — more information oh these and other photos related to this era.

Photographing an Execution

In the early 20th century, residents of Salem County, NJ generally gave birth, endured illnesses and even surgery at home. For the few requiring inpatient care, a trip to distant hospitals in Camden, Bridgeton or Wilmington, DE was required. But in the first two decades of the twentieth century medicine was advancing rapidly and changes in delivery methods were needed.

For an article in the spring issue of the quarterly newsletter of the Salem County Historical Society I examined the origins of the community hospital and the dynamics that stirred the community to establish the medical facility.

After the great influenza epidemic of 1918 swept across the nation, the need for around-the-clock institutional care was particularly acute in Salem County. The medical professionals of Salem County did what they could but the absence of a permanent place where the sick could be treated severely hampered care. As the epidemic subsided Salem County got to work, seeking to establish an institutions were professional care was available around-the-clock. Thus in 1919, the Salem County Memorial Hospital opened.

The deadly pandemic had brought a lasting improvement to this rural part of South Jersey. Following the devastation that shattered so many lives, Salem County established a permanent hospital to better prepare the community for future public health emergencies and provide efficient inpatient care in the growing region, while dedicating it to the community’s World War I heroes.

See the full article in the spring quarter of the Salem County Historical Society