Behind Gray Walls

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/

In this episode, Samuel guides Anthony and Skye through the intertwined stories of Willis Brundridge (#716, Grand Larceny) and Ira Harder (#679, Second-Degree Murder) as they explore the events that led to Brundridge being incarcerated alongside the man who killed his son. With invaluable help from Harder's family, this episode will also unravel a 116-year-old mystery that's been waiting to be uncovered.

Have you grabbed your tickets for our Halloween events at the Old Pen?

October 12 – Behind the Scenes Tours

Discover hidden stories and access secret areas!

Get your tickets here: https://history.idaho.gov/event/bts24/

October 25-26 – Squawky & Spirits

Enjoy a night of spooky fun with two Haunted Houses, presentations by our very own Samuel, and SO MUCH MORE!

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

Don't miss out!

In this episode, Skye covers Mrs. H. E. Brooks #4238 (Involuntary Manslaughter) who found support behind the walls of the Idaho State Penitentiary despite her record behind the wheel, and Anthony covers John Sayer #1912 (Abortion) who nearly avoided serving his sentence simply by failing to report to the prison.

Have you grabbed your tickets for our Halloween events at the Old Pen?

October 12 – Behind the Scenes Tours

Discover hidden stories and access secret areas!

Get your tickets here: history.idaho.gov/event/bts24/

October 25-26 – Squawky & Spirits

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!

In this live episode, recorded on March 21, 2024, at the Podfort stage during the Treefort Music Festival, Samuel discusses moonshiner Frank Rosso #3003 (Manufacture of Intoxicating Liquor), Skye shares poetry and art published in the prison magazine by the women of the Women's Ward, and Anthony talks about an unnamed rock star who failed as a marijuana dealer but found success as a musician.

Oral History:

Guard Donald Dye, 5/21/1992 (Idaho State Archives)

Like the pod? Grab your own Behind Gray Walls t-shirts here:

https://store.history.idaho.gov/GiftShop.aspx?C=11&S=59

On today’s Stool Pigeon Saturday, our guest might be familiar to some of you - it’s Dr. Skye! On a highly nepotistic episode, Dr. Skye joins us not just as an Idaho historian but as an American cultural historian too! She tells us a little bit about her dissertation, which she wrote alongside the podcast, about the history of the Sun Valley Ski Resort in Ketchum, Idaho, and why it matters that famous Hollywood actresses visited and skied there.

On the first episode of our TENTH season (we can’t believe it, either), Anthony, Skye, and Samuel open the season a little wild…William Wild, that is! Hear about Penitentiary barber #2368 Wild (Grand Larceny) whose skill in cutting men’s hair proved to be both helpful and deadly, and the less-Wild story of #10233 Ina Jane Valle Paul (Forgery), whose life gives us an opportunity to discuss some very important and often untold Native American history in the state of Idaho.

In this off-season episode, the team celebrates the release of 32 Cells: Artistic Reflections on the Old Idaho Penitentiary, a new book featuring over 70 local and regional artists that chronicles the first five years of the iconic 32 Cells Art Show. Anthony, Samuel, and Skye are joined by Old Pen staff member Jacey Brain, along with Idaho artists Sue Latta and Chopsy (aka Ryan Harrison). They discuss the creation and publication of the book, the artistic methods used to incorporate Old Pen history into their work, and the role of art in humanizing the prison experience.

Purchase a copy of the book here:

https://store.history.idaho.gov/GiftShopItem.aspx?I=9120

Visit Sue Latta's website here:

https://suelatta.com/

Visit Chopsy's website here:

https://www.itsmechopsy.com/

In this very heavy episode, Skye and Anthony close the season with two stories of people whose states of mental health lead to some emotional moments and incredibly tragic stories, #7035 Ethelyn Irene Peterson (Murder in the 2nd Degree) and #788 Ed Rice (Murder in the 1st Degree).

WARNING: This episode includes discussions of crime against a child, suicide, and execution. Please take care while listening. Listener discretion is advised.

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