Dow Hover
Encyclopedia
Dow B. Hover was the last person to serve as a State Electrician
(executioner) of the New York State, who operated electric chair
and the last person to serve as an executioner in the now no-death penalty state. He was the last surviving executioner from New York.
Hover, a native and lifelong resident of Germantown
, worked as a deputy sheriff for Columbia County
.
When on August 5, 1953 a longtime state electrician Joseph Francel left his post after 14 years on service, Hover was hired to replace him, securing the job through his contacts at the Columbia County sheriff's office. He was 52-year old at that time and, like five of his predecessors, was a trained electrician. In addition to his work as a deputy sheriff, Hover would earn $150 every time he put on a suit, made the 160-mile round-trip to Sing Sing, and pulled the switch for the electric chair. (Adjusted for inflation, this $150 payment is equivalent to about $1,000 today.) Hover would also receive gas money, usually eight cents per mile.
Unlike his predecessor, whose name regularly appeared in the media, Hover kept his second job a secret. On the nights he drove to Sing Sing to carry out an execution, he changed the license plates on his car before he even left his garage. Hover was a well-known citizen of Germantown, because of his primary position.
In addition to many state executions, he performed under Governors
Thomas E. Dewey, W. Averell Harriman
and Nelson Rockefeller
, he executed gangster
Gerhard Puff
, a federal inmate.
He also performed fourteen executions in New Jersey
and was the executioner for six executions in Connecticut during the mid-1950s to early 1960s.
Hover was married since he was 20 and had two children. He was the founder of a laboratory animal supply company, Taconic Farms, that he later sold.
His later life was characterized by intense grief; he suffered frequent migraines due to stress and by the mid 1970s suffered from Huntington's disease
.
Hover died of an apparent suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning
on June 1, 1990.
Execution Nights, a song about the life of Dow B. Hover was written and recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter, Lorne Clarke. The song was included on Clarke's 2007 CD release, Moonlight & Cider.
State Electrician
"State Electrician" was the euphemistic title given to some American state executioners in states using the electric chair during the early twentieth century....
(executioner) of the New York State, who operated electric chair
Electric chair
Execution by electrocution, usually performed using an electric chair, is an execution method originating in the United States in which the condemned person is strapped to a specially built wooden chair and electrocuted through electrodes placed on the body...
and the last person to serve as an executioner in the now no-death penalty state. He was the last surviving executioner from New York.
Hover, a native and lifelong resident of Germantown
Germantown (town), New York
Germantown is a town in Columbia County, New York, United States. The population was 2,018 at the 2000 census.The Town of Germantown is located in the southwest part of the county.- History :...
, worked as a deputy sheriff for Columbia County
Columbia County, New York
Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 63,096. The county seat is Hudson. The name comes from the Latin feminine form of the name of Christopher Columbus, which was at the time of the formation of the county a popular proposal...
.
When on August 5, 1953 a longtime state electrician Joseph Francel left his post after 14 years on service, Hover was hired to replace him, securing the job through his contacts at the Columbia County sheriff's office. He was 52-year old at that time and, like five of his predecessors, was a trained electrician. In addition to his work as a deputy sheriff, Hover would earn $150 every time he put on a suit, made the 160-mile round-trip to Sing Sing, and pulled the switch for the electric chair. (Adjusted for inflation, this $150 payment is equivalent to about $1,000 today.) Hover would also receive gas money, usually eight cents per mile.
Unlike his predecessor, whose name regularly appeared in the media, Hover kept his second job a secret. On the nights he drove to Sing Sing to carry out an execution, he changed the license plates on his car before he even left his garage. Hover was a well-known citizen of Germantown, because of his primary position.
In addition to many state executions, he performed under Governors
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
Thomas E. Dewey, W. Averell Harriman
W. Averell Harriman
William Averell Harriman was an American Democratic Party politician, businessman, and diplomat. He was the son of railroad baron E. H. Harriman. He served as Secretary of Commerce under President Harry S. Truman and later as the 48th Governor of New York...
and Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller was the 41st Vice President of the United States , serving under President Gerald Ford, and the 49th Governor of New York , as well as serving the Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower administrations in a variety of positions...
, he executed gangster
Gangster
A gangster is a criminal who is a member of a gang. Some gangs are considered to be part of organized crime. Gangsters are also called mobsters, a term derived from mob and the suffix -ster....
Gerhard Puff
Gerhard Puff
Gerhard Arthur Puff was an American gangster, executed by the federal authorities in New York for killing a federal agent....
, a federal inmate.
He also performed fourteen executions in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
and was the executioner for six executions in Connecticut during the mid-1950s to early 1960s.
Hover was married since he was 20 and had two children. He was the founder of a laboratory animal supply company, Taconic Farms, that he later sold.
His later life was characterized by intense grief; he suffered frequent migraines due to stress and by the mid 1970s suffered from Huntington's disease
Huntington's disease
Huntington's disease, chorea, or disorder , is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder that affects muscle coordination and leads to cognitive decline and dementia. It typically becomes noticeable in middle age. HD is the most common genetic cause of abnormal involuntary writhing movements called chorea...
.
Hover died of an apparent suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs after enough inhalation of carbon monoxide . Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas, but, being colorless, odorless, tasteless, and initially non-irritating, it is very difficult for people to detect...
on June 1, 1990.
Execution Nights, a song about the life of Dow B. Hover was written and recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter, Lorne Clarke. The song was included on Clarke's 2007 CD release, Moonlight & Cider.