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Where in North America was the guillotine first and last used?

Question #85260. Asked by 59don.

Related Trivia Topics: North America  
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Answer has 9 votes
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star_gazer star
23 year member
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Answer has 9 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
Saint Pierre

The only time the guillotine was ever used in North America was in Saint-Pierre in the late 1800s. Joseph Néel was convicted of killing Mr. Coupard on Île aux chiens on December 30, 1888, and executed by guillotine on August 24, 1889. The guillotine had to be shipped from Martinique and it did not arrive in working order. It was very difficult to get anyone to perform the execution; finally a recent immigrant was coaxed into doing the job. This event was the inspiration for the film The Widow of Saint-Pierre (La Veuve de Saint-Pierre) released in 2000. The guillotine is now in a museum in Saint-Pierre.

link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Pierre_and_Miquelon

Sep 02 2007, 11:48 PM
59don star
Answer has 0 votes
59don star

Answer has 0 votes.
Excellant response Star_Gazer..
St. Pierre & Miquelon are two very small French owned islands just 15 miles South of Newfoundland..Being a French controlled area the official method of execution is or was by guillotine..Apparently the guillotine that was used back then is now on display in a museum on St. Pierre.

Sep 03 2007, 12:16 AM
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