James S. McCue explained

James S. McCue
Term Start:1902
Term End:September 1, 1904
Term Start2:1896
Term End2:1900
Successor2:Charles W. Allen
Birth Name:James Samuel McCue
Birth Date:15 January 1861
Birth Place:Albemarle County, Virginia, U.S.
Death Place:Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.
Children:4

James Samuel McCue (January 15, 1861 – February 10, 1905) was an American politician and lawyer from Virginia. He served as mayor of Charlottesville from 1896 to 1900 and from 1902 to 1904. He was executed by hanging for murdering his wife.

Early life

James Samuel McCue was born on January 15, 1861, in Albemarle County, Virginia, to Sallie Jane Moon and James Cyrus McCue. His father served in the Confederate Army.[1] [2] McCue was educated at private schools in Albemarle County and Pantops Academy in Charlottesville. He attended the University of Virginia School of Law.[1]

Career

In 1884, McCue moved to Charlottesville.[3] McCue opened a law office in Charlottesville after graduating. He was alderman in the city of Charlottesville for seven or eight years.[1]

McCue was a Democrat. He served as mayor of Charlottesville for three terms: two terms, from 1896 to 1900 and an additional term, from 1902 to September 1, 1904.[1] [3]

Personal life

McCue married Fannie McNutt Crawford on November 4, 1886. They had four children, James William, Samuel Overton, Ruby Grigsby and Harry Moon.[1] [3]

Murder of wife and execution

McCue's wife was murdered with a shotgun and had been struck on the head on September 4, 1904. McCue originally had raised suspicion that a stable boy was the culprit. McCue was arrested for the murder the following day.[3] [4]

McCue was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. His execution was scheduled for January 20, 1905, but was delayed by the governor to allow the case to pass to the Supreme Court of Appeals.[4] [5] The appeal was subsequently rejected. McCue was executed by hanging in Charlottesville on the morning of February 10, 1905.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Book: University of Virginia; its history, influence, equipment and characteristics, with biographical sketches and portraits of founders, benefactors, officers and alumni . Lewis Publishing Company . 2 . 1904 . 192 . . 2023-04-23.
  2. News: UDC Memorial Program to Include Service Award . 1963-05-29 . The Daily Progress . 6 . . 2024-08-06.
  3. Book: Chesterman. Evan R.. Geisinger. Joe F.. The Williams Printing Co.. [{{Google books|T3NIdLR8VF4C|page=3|plainurl=yes}} History of the McCue Case]. 1904. 3–9.
  4. News: Ex-Mayor Is Hanged . 1905-01-20 . . 4 . . 2023-04-24.
  5. News: Brief History of the Case . 1905-02-10 . Daily Press . 1 . . 2023-04-24.
  6. News: McCue Pays Penalty For His Awful Crime . The Portsmouth Star . 1 . . 2023-04-24.