Behind Gray Walls

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!

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 us by becoming a member of the Idaho State Historical Society (https://history.idaho.gov/membership/). A membership gives you free admission to the Old Pen and State Museum, early access to exhibits, early registration to select events, 15% discount in the gift shop, and much more! Join today!

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 to the Old Idaho State Penitentiary. Oral History: Josef Munch - Summer 2001.

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 Murder), and Michael Donahue (Assault with Intent to Murder) - and dig into the county's role as a center for lumber and commerce.

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 the 2nd Degree), and dig into the county's rich mining history. Donate today! Idaho Gives - Foundation for Idaho History: https://www.idahogives.org/organizations/foundation-for-idaho-history State Historic Preservation Office Poster Unveiling with Ward Hooper: https://history.idaho.gov/event/idaho-archaeology-and-historic-preservation-month-poster-unveiling-with-ward-hooper/

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 late as 1991. Check out this short documentary about Wallace, Idaho and the history of sex work by Dr. Branstetter and director Delaney Buffett. Viewer discretion advised: https://filmshortage.com/dailyshortpicks/wallace/

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 on the National Labor Relations Act (1935) Frank "Andy" Starr - "Tragedy in the Sunshine Mine" - In Concert at the Idaho State Penitentiary (1973)

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.

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.

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.

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 soon after.

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/

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 trial is one of the best covered of any of our lady forgers, #4345 Viola Lowe (Forgery).

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) and #3235 Frank L. Wilcox (Possession of Forged Checks).

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 the night proved his (pun intended) downfall #1793 William P. Surratt (Burglary in the 1st Degree).

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.

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).

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 “Tarzan” is a lot more fun than her gruesome crime #7282 Verna “Tarzan” Keller (Murder in the Second Degree). Trigger warning: explicit details of graphic murder. Listener discretion advised.

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 second crime (out of four!) #581/#830/#4923/#5334 David Kidd (Burglary in the 2nd Degree/Attempt to Kill By Administering Poison/Grand Larceny(x2).

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.

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.

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, Lewis Ensley #5720 (Burglary in the 2nd degree) and Garth Reynolds #7428/#8091 (Grand Larceny and Burglary in the 1st Degree) and a prominent Boise woman who embezzled thousands as clerk for the City of Boise #4860 Angela Hopper(Embezzlement). Special thanks to Storyfort for having us at the event, and Saxophone player Mike Ward for performing an improvised rendition of "Ace in the Hole" by Cole Porter.

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 Charles Feely and #9932 Monty Moore (Bombing a Building & Assault with Intent to Commit Murder).

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 (Forgery/Robbery) and a woman whose alleged blackout proved fatal #12081 Bonnie Jean Deaton (Voluntary Manslaughter).

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!) #958 H. M. St. Cyr (Manslaughter).

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 a woman whose six-week old baby gained her a lot of sympathy and a very short prison sentence #2404 Mamie Ross (Receiving Stolen Goods).

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'll be recording a live episode at the Old Pen on July 16. Doors open at 6:00pm, recording begins at 6:30! Purchase tickets on our website: https://store.history.idaho.gov/Tickets.aspx Oral Histories: Josef Munch, 7/15/1987 (Idaho State Archives) Mark Maxwell, 10/2/1981 (Idaho State Archives)

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, a position he would hold for 21 years. Jerry, ever the story teller, documented his experiences as The Warden's Son in a memoir that will be released on May 21st of this year. Oral Histories include: Jerry Clapp, Guard Frank Richardson, Guard Chet Stinnett, Guard C. W. Vanderford, and Inmate Dean Thompson. Pick up a ticket to the release party today: https://store.history.idaho.gov/performance.aspx?pid=8269 Can't come to the event? No problem, order a copy of The Warden's Son here: https://store.history.idaho.gov/GiftShopItem.aspx?I=3394

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.

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) and a wife and mother whose interaction with the Idaho Department of Public Assistance ended in absolute tragedy #11732 Lula Ann Shreve (Manslaughter). Adult content/Trigger warning: discussions of suicide, gun violence, child abuse.

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 Lewiston from our gift shop: https://store.history.idaho.gov/GiftShopItem.aspx?I=116

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 history #2679 and #2680 Richard and Anna Woodfine (Arson).

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. Gillespie (Infamous Crime Against Nature). Adult content: explicit discussions of sexual acts.

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 host at the J. C. Earl Weapon's exhibit, but his connections to the prison go all the way back to the 1940s! Interested in volunteering? Sign up today! https://history.idaho.gov/volunteer/ Join the Idaho State Historical Society monthly newsletter to hear about everything ISHS has to offer: https://idaho.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8a59045b76ba76cd6b2ad4f97&id=fadd891d5b

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 resist a man in uniform #11297 Janet Brezicky (Robbery).

In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony talks to retired Deputy United States Marshal and Investigator Randy Martinez who shares stories about his career and compares it to the subject of this week's episode, Charles Phelps.

On this episode, Skye and Anthony examine national alcohol bans with Prohibition violator #4693 Helen Hall (Giving Intoxicating Liquor to a Minor) and a Deputy U.S. Marshall who defied laws he was supposed to enforce not once, but two times #266/#392 Charles M. Phelps (Manslaughter and Assault with a Deadly Weapon).

On this episode, Anthony and Skye dish the details of a police officer gone rogue whose crime is a real-life murder mystery #7070 Ralph Golden (Murder in the First Degree) and a woman who was charged with assault with nearly every weapon possible #9202/#9718 Edna Mae Hester (Assault with a Chemical and Voluntary Manslaughter).

In this week's Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony and Skye sit down with Hayley Noble to discuss #6153 Henry Wasielewski (Robbery) who enlisted in the Polish forces in Canada during WWII after a brief incarceration in Idaho.

Skye and Anthony have an interesting conversation about a woman who may have had an unfortunate sip of Coca-Cola #7769 Frances Webb (Forgery), and a serial offender who decided to take his fate into his own hands in a tragic way #4357 Vern McBride (Grand Larceny). Trigger Warning: Suicide.

In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony and Skye interview Idaho State Historian HannaLore Hein who discusses Idaho's Response to the 1918 Influenza Pandemic and shares a message of hope and the importance of having historians at the table during trying times.

Anthony and Skye discuss a man who had title of “Whip Maker to Her Majesty” (Queen Victoria of England), but who was lucky to get away from his crime with his life #6 Frank Barnes (Murder in the Second Degree) and a young girl with hipster glasses whose train ride through Idaho ended in tragedy #3834 Margaret Brooks (Manslaughter).

In this first LIVE episode in collaboration with Storyfort, Anthony teams up with Historic Sites Administrator Amber Beierle to chat about a woman with skills writing bad checks and heartfelt lines #10595 Nancy Frances Christopher (Forgery and Escape) and master escape artist, brewer and yodeler #8204 Harley Carringer (Burglary in the Nighttime, Escape and Persistent Violator of the Law).

In this episode, Skye and Anthony chat about a young woman with an unfortunate man and health problem #5788 Helen Grace Andrews (Forgery) and a man who led an uprising that we didn’t get to talk about in the last season #8714 Paul Andrew Mahaffey (Robbery and Escape).

On this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Skye and Anthony interview Judy Louise Buck, the granddaughter of #1537 Hattie McCormick, who sheds some light on Hattie's life outside of prison.

On the first episode of Season 5, Anthony and Skye are sure glad to be back, and talk about a man whose escape nearly resulted in someone else’s death #11628 Peter Martin (Robbery and Escape), and a woman whose desire got her in a bit of trouble—and whose family helped us fill out her story #1537 Hattie McCormick (Adultery).

We're working hard to bring a brand new season of prisoner stories to you in 2021! If you have a story, share it with us at behindgraywalls@gmail.com. Looking for a great holiday gift? Come visit the Old Pen Gift Shop Souvenir Confinement or visit our online store: https://store.history.idaho.gov/giftshop.aspx Why not give the gift of membership at the Idaho State Historical Society: https://store.history.idaho.gov/membership.aspx

In this episode of Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony sits down with retired Correctional Officer Calvin May who started working for the Idaho Department of Corrections months before he was held hostage during a riot at the new prison in July 1980. Calvin discusses the causes of the uprising and how his faith helped guide him.

In this episode of Disturbing Justice, Anthony and Skye discuss the chaotic 1970s and the final uprising at the Idaho State Penitentiary that resulted in damage still seen at the site to this day. Oral histories from Guards Charlie Griggs, Dan Mahoney, Milton Edgerton, Ralph Elston and Inmate Melvin Aldous help tell the story. Like what you hear? Consider supporting us by donating today or becoming a member of the Idaho State Historical Society! (https://store.history.idaho.gov/Donation.aspx?CR=BGWOP) (https://history.idaho.gov/membership/)

In this episode of Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony sits down with retired Correctional Officer and Idaho State Patrolman Curt Williams who worked at the Idaho State Penitentiary during the 1971 riot. Curt talks about being in the yard at the height of the riot, and guarding prisoners at the new institution.

In this episode of Disturbing Justice, things heat up as Anthony and Skye discuss how the weather helped spark one of the most violent prison riots at the Old Pen. Hear oral histories from prisoner Ron Macik who served a pivotal role in the uprising, and guard Bill Sanders who describes how the events unfolded and his desensitized reaction to a surprise rolled up in a gym mat.