Two Potts, a Faucett, and a Double Hanging: The Only Married Americans Executed Simultaneously

Manchester, England natives Josiah and Elizabeth Potts have the dubious distinction of being the first-and only-married couple ever executed simultaneously in American history. Somehow their bizarre story has escaped the attention of historians and crime reporters for well over a century. The Pottses were convicted of murdering their Carlin, Nevada, neighbor, and fellow Manchester immigrant Miles Faucett, on New Year's Day 1888 for reasons unknown. Their case was shrouded in mystery, as was their past with the victim. The Pottses did not put up a strong defense at their trial, despite the fact that the evidence against them was circumstantial at best, and even their neighbors and arresting officers weren't assured of their guilt. But, Josiah and Elizabeth had secrets to hide and they chose to hang together rather than reveal them. Why? Some, but not all, of them are revealed in this book. The Pottses took their secrets to their graves-which were right next to Faucett's, as if the trio were destined to spend eternity together. Why were they so connected in death as they had been in life? The answers are amazing. It's no wonder the Potts case was the "Trial of the Century" in the late nineteenth century and worthy of extensive coverage in the finest tabloid newspapers-just as it is today. The question is why it took so long to reveal this bizarre story.