Stay Connected“Behind Gray Walls” is a podcast featuring stories from the men and women who lived and worked at the Old Idaho State Penitentiary. Each week, Anthony, Samuel, and Skye explore prisoners whose crimes led them to serve time at the “Old Pen.” Their history is explored in depth and compared to corrections topics faced in communities today.
To support this podcast, visit: https://history.idaho.gov/donate/donation-payment/
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This week, Samuel steps into Anthony’s spot and covers one of our earliest residents, a stagecoach driver from Deadwood, South Dakota, whose gun duel carried some big consequences #16 Samuel Ridgeway (Murder) and Skye examines a woman who was previously unknown in our records who got involved with the wrong guy #8323 Eddie Mae Gooch (Robbery).
In this Stool Pigeon Saturday recorded in 2022, Anthony interviews then Old Pen tour guide Camille Daw, who tells the exciting and tragic story of Ralph Poindexter #12596 (Grand Larceny). Camille now works as the Program and Outreach Manager at the Minidoka National Historic Site.
In this episode recorded live on March 23rd, 2023 on the Storyfort stage during Treefort Music Festival, Anthony covers Tom Rock #3786 and M J Star #3787 (Grand Larceny), the daring duo fresh out of the Ada County jail who stole a car while the owner was enjoying Boise Music Week, while Samuel uncovers the tragic tale of musician Len Douglas #903 (Manslaughter), who killed a man in a jealous rage over a woman.
In our first episode back of the new season, Anthony introduces us to Warden Raymond May, whose progressive ideas focused on humanity, not crime, while Skye opens the season with a woman who liked to stretch the truth, including when she signed checks, #9533 Dorothy Jean Tate (Forgery). Tickets are available for October events at the Old Idaho Penitentiary! Purchase them here: https://history.idaho.gov/events/ Have questions or comments? Email us at: behindgraywalls@gmail.com
We're back to work bringing you Idaho history and the stories of the men and women who worked and resided at the Old Idaho State Penitentiary. Stay tuned!
In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony sits down with Franziska Borders, Adjunct of German at Boise State University. Franziska translated a censored letter sent to German farmer turned hypnotist turned murderer Henry Wilmbusse #852 covered in Ep 30 of the podcast. Visit our Facebook group to see the letter and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/behindgraywalls. Special thanks to the artist Spooky Dinosaur (Nathan Veibell) for donating money to make this translation happen! https://www.thespookydinosaur.com/ Donations allow us to pursue special projects and improve the quality of the podcast. Listen to Wilmbusse's story here: https://soundcloud.com/behindgraywalls/ep-30-wilmbusse-and-proud
On the last episode of the season (and the first of the new year), Skye and Anthony talk about two pretty intense stories – first of a woman whose husband died by hamburger (sort of) #7610 Elizabeth Lottie Lacey (Murder in the First Degree) and one of the ten men executed on the grounds of the Idaho State Penitentiary on a cold winter night #3301 Noah Arnold (Murder in the First Degree). Be warned that both stories deal with murder and violence, as well as mentions of abuse – please listen with caution. Oral Histories: Matron Lulu Rowan; 3/6/1987; Idaho State Archives John Jr. and Fred Snook (Son and Grandson of Warden John Snook); 2/12/1991; Idaho State Archives.
In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony sits down with return guest Suzanne Squires to discuss the many crimes and escapes of Mike Donnelly #3302 (Murder in the 1st Degree).
On today’s episode, the last of the year, Anthony and Skye examine the stories of a father and son whose main meeting was inside the prison walls #4536 Roy Little (Forgery) and #4619 James Little (Grand Larceny) and a woman who definitely had a thing for men in the Navy #9050 Elda Lee Lennon (Forgery). Oral History: Charles Sharp; 12/20/2022; Idaho State Archives.
On today’s episode, Skye and Anthony converse about a young woman whose fingers are light and her crime details unknown #1148 Eveline Clark (Burglary in the 2nd Degree) and a man whose life had two paths he could have taken – and he chose the one of crime not once but twice #5514/#6137 John Raff (Burglary in the 2nd Degree/Grand Larceny). Looking for last minute gifts? Look no further! Check out the Old Pen Store Souvenir Confinement: https://store.history.idaho.gov/giftshop.aspx (Most items are only available for in-store purchase at this time) Oral History: Guard Jim Howland; 7/28/1992. Idaho State Archives.
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