This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 9 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Boston Post
Location
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Date
Jun 12, 1906
Page
3
At 12:12 the electric current was applied in three shocks totaling 50 seconds. Dr. Joseph I. McLaughlin reported Tucker’s pulse beating after the first tests, and the chamber witnesses noted heart action despite the lethal shocks. Tucker was pronounced dead at 12:14 with additional confirmatory checks at 12:19.
Witnesses describe the execution of Tucker as smooth and decisive. Doctors and officials portray a controlled process with Tucker calmly approaching and entering the chair, death reported instantaneous and the examination lengthy but routine.
The prison chaplain Rev. Mr. Barnes, Tucker’s spiritual adviser, accompanied him to the death chamber and stated that Tucker went to his Maker fully prepared and died a brave man.
A menacing note ordering delivery to Warden Bridges at the State Prison Charlestown was received at 11 20 pm by Postal Telegraph manager Achimore who described a 6 ft 9 in 35 year old suspect in a light suit and derby. Bridges said he paid no attention to the letter as he headed to the death chamber with seven witnesses.
A grim, detailed prelude to the Tucker execution unfolds in the death chamber. Warden B F Bridges oversees a rehearsal of the electric chair while Tucker receives final prayers and contemplates his fate. Strong guards place straps test the chair and readiness indicators glow as the condemned man nears the fatal moment.
James H. Vahey senior counsel for Tucker issues a lengthy statement claiming proof Tucker was innocent and condemning no one. The document praises the profession and honors the late defendant, noting the two years of exhaustive work and the counsel’s duty to aid a momentous inquiry.
J B Ferber of Vahey Mansfield Innes told the Post Tucker looked haggard and fearful during a late night visit to his cell at Youngs, with James H Vahey and Philip Mana Saree present, describing the scene as the most pathetic he ever witnessed.
A speaker bids farewell as Charley Tucker’s appearance reveals deep sorrow. Tucker’s mother and father are spoken about as the speaker vows to assist them, and Tucker is described as moist eyed, tear stained, and worn, a stark change from his former self.
The Tucker murder saga ends with the electrocution of Charles L. Tucker for the 1904 killing of Mabel Page in Weston. The lengthy legal battle included Supreme Court appeals and a mass petition to Governor Guild, reaching 116,000 signatures.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.