The Big Apple's Not-So-Big Chokehold: How Many Swung in NYC in 1922?
Ah, New York City in the Roaring Twenties. Flappers danced the Charleston, jazz filled the air, and, well, folks got hanged every now and then. But just how many unfortunate souls met their end at the end of a rope in the year 1922? That, my friends, is a question that had us here at Totally Not Stalkers Headquarters (motto: "We unearth the obscure!") scratching our heads faster than a speakeasy bartender on a busy night.
Digging Through Dusty Newspapers (and Avoiding Cobwebs)
Now, you might think uncovering this bit of Big Apple history would be a breeze. Just waltz into the library, peruse some old newspapers, and voila! The answer appears in bold, right next to a flapper fashion spread (because, priorities). But trust us, it wasn't that simple. Turns out, those old newspapers are like historical whodunits – full of cryptic clues and flowery language that would make even F. Scott Fitzgerald raise an eyebrow.
We're talking headlines like "Greaser Gets Groggy Goodbye" (unhelpful, mate) and articles that danced around the details like a flapper trying to avoid a chaperone.
The Plot Thickens (Like Pea Soup During Prohibition)
Fear not, intrepid reader! We persevered. We waded through enough microfilm to wallpaper a speakeasy, and let me tell you, some of those microfilms looked like they'd seen more action than a bootlegger's getaway car. Finally, a glimmer of hope! We stumbled upon a seemingly innocuous article about a new warden at Sing Sing Correctional Facility (which, for those not in the know, was NYC's go-to swinging spot back then). Now, this warden, he was all about "efficiency" and "modernization."
Bingo! A modern warden in 1922 probably meant a move away from the Wild West-style hangings. This warden, bless his bureaucratic heart, was likely keeping detailed records – which, with any luck, would tell us exactly how many folks met their maker by rope that year.
The Big Reveal (Is it getting hot in here, or is that just suspense?)
Okay, okay, enough stalling. Buckle up, because here's the answer to your burning question (though hopefully not a literal burning question, because fire safety is important, folks):
Unfortunately, our intrepid microfilm mission hit a dead end. Those darn warden records, it seems, were kept tighter than a speakeasy door on inspection night. So, the exact number of 1922 NYC hangings remains a mystery, shrouded in the fog of time (and possibly a little bit of cigar smoke).
But Wait, There's More! (Because who doesn't love a plot twist?)
However, our investigation wasn't a total bust! We did learn a fascinating tidbit. Apparently, 1922 saw a growing public debate about capital punishment in New York. Fancy that! Seems folks were starting to question the whole "yeet you off a platform" approach to justice.
So, while we can't tell you definitively how many unfortunate souls swung in 1922, we can tell you that the tide was turning. Maybe next time, New York City would choose the Charleston over the chokehold.
Stay tuned, history sleuths! We're not giving up on this case just yet. And who knows, maybe one day we'll crack the code and reveal the exact number of 1922 NYC hangings. Until then, here's to the good ol' days (well, maybe not that good, but definitely interesting).
