A botched execution lead to use of the electric chair

In the annals of New York State’s history, few tales are as chilling as the story of Roxalana “Roxana” Druse, the last woman hanged in the state. Her crime and the subsequent execution in 1887 not only horrified the public but also played a pivotal role in changing the state’s method of capital punishment.

Roxalana Druse lived with her husband, William Druse, in the town of Warren, Herkimer County. Their marriage was tumultuous, marred by domestic violence and financial difficulties. On December 18, 1884, Roxalana, with the assistance of her teenage children, Mary and George, and her nephew, Frank Gates, murdered William. The gruesome act involved shooting William, decapitating him with an axe, dismembering his body, and attempting to dispose of the remains by burning them in a stove and scattering the ashes in a pond.

Suspicion arose when William’s sudden disappearance couldn’t be convincingly explained by Roxalana. Neighbors noted his absence, and conflicting accounts from the family led authorities to investigate. Upon questioning, Frank Gates confessed to his involvement, implicating Roxalana and her children. Physical evidence, including bone fragments and bloodstains, corroborated the confessions. Roxalana was arrested and stood trial in October 1885. Despite her claims of enduring years of abuse, she was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death by hanging.

On February 28, 1887, Roxalana Druse was executed. The hanging was botched, causing her to suffer a prolonged death. This mishandled execution sparked public outrage and intensified debates about the humanity of hanging as a method of execution. The incident significantly influenced New York’s decision to adopt the electric chair as its preferred method of capital punishment in 1890, aiming for a more humane and efficient means of execution.

The case of Roxalana Druse remains one of the most macabre episodes in New York’s history. It highlights the extreme measures taken in domestic abuse situations during that era and underscores the evolution of societal and legal perspectives on capital punishment. Her story serves as a haunting reminder of the past and the continuous journey toward more humane justice systems.