James S. McCue

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.

James S. McCue
McCue in a 1904 publication
Mayor of Charlottesville
In office 1902 – September 1, 1904
Preceded by	Charles W. Allen
Succeeded by	George W. Olivier
In office 1896–1900
Preceded by	John Shelton Patton
Succeeded by	Charles W. Allen
Personal details
Born	James Samuel McCue (1861-01-15)January 15, 1861 Albemarle County, Virginia, U.S.
Died	February 10, 1905(1905-02-10) (aged 44) Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.
Cause of death	Execution by hanging
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Fannie McNutt Crawford ​ ​ (m. 1886; died 1904)​
Children	4
Education	University of Virginia School of Law
Occupation	Politician lawyer

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

Mrs. Fannie Crawford McCue in a 1904 publication

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]