Behind Gray Walls

By Behind Gray Walls

What's Behind Gray Walls about?

“Behind Gray Walls” is a podcast featuring stories from inmates housed at the Old Idaho State Penitentiary. Each week, Skye and Anthony explore inmates 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://store.history.idaho.gov/Donation.aspx?C=BGWOP

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LAST EPISODE

Stool Pigeon Saturday - Fra...

03.18.2023

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 ...

Behind Gray Walls episodes:

03.18.2023 Stool Pigeon Saturday - Franziska Borders On Wilmbusse's Letter 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 ...
01.04.2023 EP 79 - Lacey And Arnold 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 ...
12.31.2022 Stool Pigeon Saturday - Suzanne Squires On Mike Donnelly 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).
12.27.2022 EP 78 - Littles And Lennon 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 ...
12.20.2022 EP 77 - Clark And Raff 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 ...
12.13.2022 EP 76 - Sparling And Goddard As we continue into the second half of the season, Anthony and Skye profile a man whose trade in creamery stock ended up in a not so sweet jail sentence #2363 A.L. Sparling (Obtaining Money Under False Pretenses) and a ...
12.06.2022 EP 75 - Moncisco And Norwood Our second episode with guest co-host Samuel features the stories of a young woman whose live was plagued with tragedy, including her husband’s death at the hands of her brother #11828 Philnoma Moncisco (Robbery) and a young man whose search ...
11.22.2022 EP 74 - King And Hansom Halfway through season 8, we’re mixing things up, including a guest co-host, Samuel Anderson! In this episode, Samuel and Skye chat about a K.O. King and his storied boxing career in prison #5474 Chester Arthur King (Burglary) and a woman ...
11.19.2022 Stool Pigeon Saturday - Showdown in Idaho: A History of Idaho Gunfights In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony and Skye hang up their spurs and sit down with Old Pen Staff Member Samuel Anderson who shares three stories of wild west gunfights in territorial Idaho. Listener discretion is advised. Want to support ...
11.15.2022 EP 73 - Hudson And Sampley In today’s episode, Anthony and Skye have a good chat about an LGBTQ+ inmate whose piano playing talent provided some prison levity #7047 Wesley Hudson (Burglary) and a woman whose crime is surprisingly relevant even a century later #3231 Cora ...
11.03.2022 EP 72 - LIVE! Bowman And McGee In this LIVE episode from the Storyfort stage on March 24, 2022, Anthony and Skye regale the audience with the stories of a woman whose charge was only one time she had a run-in with authorities during Prohibition #3534 Eva ...
10.29.2022 Halloween Special - IDAHO CRYPTIDS In this Halloween Special of Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony and Skye sit down with Old Pen Staff members Samuel Anderson, Jacey Brain, and Darin Young to dig into the spooky history of Idaho cryptids. They discuss the Payette Lake monster ...
10.25.2022 EP 71 - Wilson And Hoagland In the second episode of the new season, Skye and Anthony discuss a member of the Nez Perce tribe who got caught having some trouble with checks, and dive DEEP into the history of the Idaho State Tuberculosis Hospital #11233 ...
10.22.2022 Stool Pigeon Saturday - Tristin Hafer On William Dewey In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony sits down with Old Pen Staff Member Tristin Hafer, who shares the fascinating and lesser-known story of #79 "Colonel" William H. Dewey (Manslaughter), one of Idaho's leading pioneers and entrepreneurs. Want to support the ...
10.18.2022 EP 70 - Johnston And Reems In the premiere of season 8, Anthony and Skye again take on some of the prison’s heaviest hitters, including a former mayor who may or may not have been falsely accused #5826 Duncan Johnston (Murder in the 1st Degree), and ...
10.07.2022 Season 8 Trailer We're back at it, bringing you Idaho history and the stories of the men and women who worked and resided at the Old Idaho State Penitentiary. Stay tuned!
06.01.2022 EP 69 - Mining in Idaho After 1869 In this episode, Skye and Anthony wrap up the Mining season with a look at the industry from the 1860s to today, and reflect on the ghost towns scattered throughout the state. If you like the podcast, you can support ...
05.24.2022 EP 68 - Dan Everhart On The Assay Building In this episode, Anthony interviews Dan Everhart, Outreach Historian for the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Dan discusses his career in historic preservation, the history and development of the historic Assay office in downtown Boise, and his own unique connection ...
05.17.2022 EP 67 - Ada County - Al Priest - John Black - Charles LaDuke - Jacob Drake - Michael Donahue In this episode, Skye and Anthony discuss the first five men to serve time in the Territorial Prison from Ada County - Al Priest and John Stuart Black (Highway Robbery), Charles LaDuke (Grand Larceny), Jacob Drake (Assault with Intent to ...
05.03.2022 EP 66 - Boise County - Ah Hood - On Gow - Dennis Crowley In this episode, Skye and Anthony discuss the first three men to serve time in the Territorial Prison from Boise County - Ah Hood (Robbery and Assault with Intent to Commit Murder), On Gow (Manslaughter), and Dennis Crowley (Murder in ...
04.26.2022 EP 65 - Dr. Heather Branstetter In this episode, Anthony and Skye interview Dr. Heather Branstetter, author of Selling Sex in the Silver Valley: A Business Doing Pleasure. Heather shares the history and role of sex work that flourished around Idaho mining and timber towns as ...
04.19.2022 EP 64 - Nez Perce County - William Scott In this episode, Skye and Anthony discuss the first man to serve time in the Territorial Prison from Nez Perce County - William Scott(Grand Larceny), and dig into the county's rich mining and union history. Clips: Senator Robert Wagner speech ...
04.12.2022 EP 63 - Owyhee County - John Thomas - Ah Shock In this episode, Skye and Anthony discuss the first men to serve time in the Territorial Prison from Owyhee County - John Thomas (Grand Larceny) and Ah Shock (Manslaughter), and dig into the county's rich mining history.
04.06.2022 EP 62 - Mining in the Idaho Territory In this episode, Skye and Anthony dig deep into Idaho's early mining history, and cover a brutal murder and the first executions in the territory.
03.29.2022 EP 61 - Terry Maley On The 1872 General Mining Law In this episode, Anthony sits down with geologist and author Terry Maley to discuss the impact the General Mining Act of 1872 had on the west, and his career and insights into mining in Idaho.
03.21.2022 EP 60 - The Territorial Prison In this season premiere, released on the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Territorial Prison, Skye and Anthony discuss the discovery of gold that brought miners into the Idaho Territory, and the establishment of law and order that developed ...
03.09.2022 Season 7 Trailer We're working hard to bring you a brand new season! March 21st (6-8pm) - Old Idaho Penitentiary 150th Anniversary Commemoration Tickets: https://history.idaho.gov/event/op150/ March 19th-26th - Cemetery Tour Tickets: https://history.idaho.gov/event/cemetery/ March 24th (6pm) - Treefort Live Performance: https://www.treefortmusicfest.com/schedule/
12.07.2021 EP 59 - Phelan And Lowe In the finale of this extended season, Anthony and Skye profile a couple of people with money problems—first, a man whose crimes send him to the very place he had worked #5693 Tony Phelan (Embezzlement); second, a young woman whose ...
11.30.2021 EP 58 - Mildred And Frank Wilcox In this season’s couple’s episode, Skye and Anthony piece together the complicated stories of the Wheelers/Wilcoxes who were allegedly running a “Certified Check Racket,” and whose post-ISP exploits are far more interesting than their time inside #3234 Mildred Wilcox (Forgery) ...
11.23.2021 EP 57 - Ainesworth And Surratt In this episode, Skye and Anthony are back from their break and discuss a woman whose AWOL husband causes quite a few problems #9008 Doris Mae Ainesworth (Forgery) and a man whose fall from a building in the middle of ...
11.20.2021 Stool Pigeon Saturday - Samuel Anderson On Boxing In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony and Skye sit down with Old Pen staff member and resident boxer Samuel Anderson, who shares the history of boxing at the Old Idaho State Penitentiary and opens up about his own boxing career.
10.30.2021 Stool Pigeon Saturday - Suzanne Squires On Samuel Hatton In this Halloween Special Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony brings back Old Pen Education Specialist Suzanne Squires to discuss the brutal life and death of #128 Samuel Hatton (Grand Larceny).
10.26.2021 EP 56 - Capps And Keller In this episode, to help us all get in the Halloween spirit, Anthony and Skye recount the spooky story of a man whose victim’s head ended up in court #487 Henry H. Capps (Manslaughter) and a young woman whose nickname ...
10.12.2021 EP 55 - Underwood And Kidd In today’s episode, Skye and Anthony detail the lives and (many) crimes of a woman whose previous experience with guns made her a little bit “gun-shy” #2326 Dollie Underwood (Robbery) and a four-timer who may have been innocent of his ...
10.09.2021 Stool Pigeon Saturday - Warden Jay Christensen In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony interviews recently retired Warden Jay Christensen who reflects on his career and discusses the transformations he has witnessed over the last three decades within the Idaho Department of Corrections.
10.02.2021 Stool Pigeon Saturday - Ian Pickens On Frank Lobear In this episode, Old Pen technical records specialist Ian Pickens shares the story of Frank Lobear #5319 (Manslaughter) who attempted to defend his own honor and after his incarceration became a local legend of the Frank Church Wilderness.
09.28.2021 EP 54 - LIVE! Ensley And Reynolds And Hopper In this LIVE! episode from the Storyfort Stage at the Treefort 2021 music festival, Anthony and Skye regale the audience (both live and digital) with the stories of two musical men who shared their skills while incarcerated at the prison, ...
09.21.2021 EP 53 - Hazeltine And Feely And Moore In this episode, Skye and Anthony tell the stories of a woman whose feminine wiles got her in trouble more than once #5952 Alta Hazeltine (Attempted Robbery) and the devastatingly dastardly duo who embark on committing life insurance fraud #9931 ...
09.14.2021 EP 52 - LIVE Swatsenbarg And Deaton In our first LIVE! episode Skye was able to participate in, Anthony and Skye regale the audience (both live and digital) with the stories of a man whose life and crime has everything—including divorce and donuts #7241/#7690/#8376 Delmar Theodore Swatsenbarg ...
09.07.2021 EP 51 - Lopez And St. Cyr In this episode, Skye and Anthony chat about a woman who was one of three Native American women who entered the Idaho State Penitentiary for Forgery on the same day #11235 Claire Johnson Lopez and a nineteenth-century Forrest Gump (allegedly!) ...
08.31.2021 EP 50 - Clark And Ross In the first episode of the sixth season, Anthony and Skye discuss a man whose experience in Siberia with a spoon is only scratching the surface of his troubled life, #11226/#12337 Dennis Guy Clark (First Degree Burglary/Second Degree Kidnapping) and ...
07.02.2021 Season 6 Teaser We're working hard to bring you a brand new season! Check out our new logo and pick up some merch at the Old Pen! We have t-shirts and stickers available! We recorded a live episode at the Old Pen on ...
05.15.2021 Stool Pigeon Saturday - The Warden's Son With Bette Joe And Roch Clapp In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony sits down with Bette Joe and Roch, the wife and son of the late Jerry Clapp. Jerry was a boy when his father, Lou Clapp, became Warden of the Idaho State Penitentiary in 1945, ...
05.08.2021 Stool Pigeon Saturday - John Dinger In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Skye and Anthony discuss the eventful 1887 term of court in territorial Idaho with returning guest John Dinger, Ada County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. The term included everything from citizenship and guardianship to murder.
05.04.2021 EP 49 - Seward And Shreve In the last episode of the season, things get a little dark as Anthony and Skye review the stories of a young man whose desperate attempts for love led to multiple deaths #1511 Fred Seward (Murder in the 1st Degree) ...
05.01.2021 Stool Pigeon Saturday - Steven Branting On Margaret Hardy In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Skye and Anthony interview acclaimed historian Steven Branting, who shares his research on Margaret Hardy and his process uncovering stories following the many threads that make up our history. Pick up a copy of Wicked ...
04.27.2021 EP 48 - Anna And Richard Woodfine In this season’s couple’s episode, Skye and Anthony discuss a pair of immigrants (one Swedish, one Canadian) who may have set fire to their house in a town only recently traumatized by one of the worst fires in the nation’s ...
04.20.2021 EP 47 - Eliason And Gillespie In this episode, Skye and Anthony have some conversations about a woman who gets a bit caught up with a husband (and maybe a wife) #6483 Leora Eliason (Adultery) and a man whose sexuality landed him in jail #2911 E.E. ...
04.17.2021 Stool Pigeon Saturday - Don Mummert In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Skye and Anthony celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Month and sit down with the longest serving volunteer at the Old Idaho Penitentiary, Don Mummert. Don has spent over 20 years giving tours and working as a ...
04.13.2021 EP 46 - Maxwell And Brezicky In this episode, Anthony takes a bit of a divergence from normal, covering Mark Maxwell and his prolific administrative career at the Idaho State Penitentiary and Skye sticks to the script, profiling a woman who didn’t quite know how to ...

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