In this episode, Anthony, Samuel, and Skye are joined by the voices of the men and women who lived and worked at the prison to guide visitors through the site. Drawing from oral histories of wardens, chaplains, matrons, guards, and prisoners, this immersive tour brings the past to life as we lead you through the Old Idaho Penitentiary’s four-acre grounds.

In this rock-solid Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony and Samuel chip away at history with Old Pen staff member Eric Overzet, who quarries the fascinating story of the Old Pen's iconic building material - Table Rock’s sandstone.

On today’s Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony interviews Steve North, Old Idaho Penitentiary Volunteer and Commander of the Boise Chapter of the Forty and Eight. Steve dives into the captivating history of the Merci Train Boxcar, a symbol of gratitude from France to the United States after World War II. He shares insights about the enduring friendship between the two nations and the incredible stories of generosity and connection that emerged in the aftermath of war.

For more information, pick up Boxcar Diplomacy by Jane Sweetland:

https://store.history.idaho.gov/GiftShopItem.aspx?I=1526

Steve North's Captivating Conversation:

https://youtu.be/kXa2hL_w9fw

Jane Sweetland's Captivating Conversation:

https://youtu.be/DhJmBsOO7y8

http://mercitrain.org/

https://www.fortyandeight.org

Oral History:

Truman, Harry S. "President Truman's Radio and Television Address Concluding a Program by the Citizens Food Committee." Delivered from the White House, Washington, D.C., October 5, 1947. National Archives Identifier (NAID) 325599790.

News coverage clip provided by Jane Sweetland.

In our 99th episode (can you believe it?), Skye has an extra short story because Samuel has an extra long story! Starting with the shorter, Skye discusses a young woman whose early hard-knock life made it difficult to adjust to life as an adult #8451 Claire Reasoner (Forgery) and an Old West Yellowstone stagecoach robber whose exploits, he believed, made him the inspiration for the hero of the classic 1902 Western book, The Virginian #814 Edwin Trafton (Grand Larceny).

On today’s Stool Pigeon Saturday, Samuel interviews Kirsten Corbett, Exhibits & Communications Director at the Jackson Hole History Museum. Kirsten discusses the rich history of Jackson Hole and shares insights about the opening of the brand-new Jackson Hole Museum. She also provides fresh perspectives on subjects previously featured on the show, including Teton Jackson (#111) and Edwin Trafton (#814), and shares fascinating stories about some of the trailblazing women of Jackson Hole.

To check out the Jackson Hole Museum:

https://jacksonholehistory.org/

To learn more about the some of the Native American nations of the Tetons.

https://www.sbtribes.com/about/

http://windriveredu.com

https://easternshoshone.org/about/#:~:text=The%20Eastern%20Shoshone%20Tribe%20has,at%20over%2012%2C000%20years%20ago.

In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Samuel and Skye interview author Jan Cerney about her 2016 book Calamity Jane and Her Siblings: The Saga of Lena and Elijah Canary, in which she uncovers the tumultuous Canary family relationships often overlooked in the Calamity canon.

Pick up a copy in the Souvenir Confinement store at the Old Pen, or order online: https://store.history.idaho.gov/GiftShopItem.aspx?I=103

In this episode, Anthony shares the story of James Pickett (Murder), an Irishman whose possibly accidental killing led to his imprisonment in Idaho's oldest standing Territorial jail and ignited a debate over jurisdiction for crimes committed on tribal land, while Skye tells the story of Billy Garland #5127, a woman whose prison experience truly reflected the phrase "do your own time, do your own number" (Passing a Fictitious Check).

Watch a presentation with John Bradbury about the history of Pierce:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_Yp9uLTRXA

On this episode, Samuel regales Anthony and Skye with the life story of a sheriff in Owyhee County whose refusal to use a gun in the old west town of Silver City ended with a stint in the prison - as the warden, that is.

In this special spooky-season episode, Anthony and Samuel sit down with Marie, Madison, Sidney, and Tina from Big River Paranormal. They discuss their investigative philosophy, the tools they use, and share some of the chilling experiences they’ve encountered at the Old Idaho Penitentiary.

EVPs captured during investigations are featured throughout the episode. Keep an ear out for a growl and a whisper saying, "You should let me out." For more, visit: www.bigriverparanormal.com.

Have you grabbed your tickets for our Halloween event, Squawky & Spirits, on October 25 and 26th? Enjoy a night of spooky fun with two Haunted Houses, presentations by our very own Samuel, and SO MUCH MORE!

Get your tickets here: history.idaho.gov/event/squawky-spirits-2024/

Don't miss out!

On this our last episode before a small break, Anthony regales Skye and Samuel with the complicated story of possibly-blind and heavily tattooed (like 2/3 of the podcasts' hosts) #11401 (Forgery) #12493 (Murder in the First Degree and Escape) Frank "Tony" Grooms, while Skye (recently laid up with a freak-accident ankle-break) tells the story of the only resident of the Women's Ward to hail from the Duck Valley Reservation #6857 Woffie Bitt (Forgery).

Oral History:

Melvin Aldous #11458, August 24, 1985, Idaho State Archives.

You can pick up your tickets to our Halloween Event - Squawky & Spirits - here:

https://history.idaho.gov/event/squawky-spirits-2024/