Behind Gray Walls

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 wh...

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 th...

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 unc...

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 – Be...

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...

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 fam...

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 ver...

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 dis...

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 li...

In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, the team interviews Matthew Connelly, lead park ranger at Alcatraz Island. Matthew provides an overview of the renowned prison's history, delves into the daily experiences of both the residents and staff on the island, and concludes the story surrounding William Dainard's (#3821) associate, Harmon Waley (#4188). To learn more about Alcatraz or to book your next trip,...

In a completely coincidental yet oddly-Rathdrum-history-heavy penultimate episode, the original duo are back in with Sam in the commenter's chair. Anthony starts, covering a man of many names whose felony in Idaho was one of the least interesting things about his story #3821 William Dainard (Robbery), while Skye follows with a story of a Rathdrum pioneer whose gambling habits may have gotten a lit...

On today’s episode, Skye tells the story of a young woman whose husband, in the 1950s, was a real door-to-door vacuum salesman(!) #10351 Donna Mae Peterson (Burglary). Meanwhile, first-time host, Charlee, tells the story of one of the most influential doctors in the city of Boise (who also served as prison physician), Dr. George Collister.

In this week's special episode, Skye comes to the episode empty-handed (school is hard) and Anthony-less (work is hard) and instead comments on Samuel's masterful telling of #111 William "Teton" Jackson (Grand Larceny) whose story intersects with a crucial event in Wyoming history and the controversial Sheriff Frank Canton. Photo: Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum Collection: 1958.0003.00...

Join all three hosts around the campfire for a whole host of spooky Idaho stories from the 1880s through the 1940s - some of these stories may not be related to the Penitentiary directly, but they’ll still send some chills up your spine - and even make you laugh. And, if while you’re listening, you hear a stick crack behind you…it may not be your imagination. Happy Halloween!!

On today’s episode, Skye relates the story of a young woman whose training in beauty school got her a few extra perks #11513 LaLonda Lee King (Robbery) and Anthony tells the story of a young man who had a real knack for escaping until the very end #2062 Ulysses Bearup (Murder in the First Degree). Oral Histories: Emile Ehle (McLaws), 1/19/1994 (Idaho State Archives)

In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony and Skye hang up their spurs again to hear Samuel share the fascinating story of six-shooter-Jack and the Gunfight at Grave Creek. Listener discretion is advised.

Today, all three hosts are together, with Anthony working as our star commentator. Samuel shares the story of a young man who was, at worst, a murderer, and at his most intriguing, an assassin #286 Oscar “Tex” Selene Herbert (Murder in the Second Degree), while Skye recounts the story of an alleged cattle thief who really had more problem with Prohibition Laws than her actual crime #2529 Cora Atki...

In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony interviews Jennifer Hills, President of the Friends of Stricker, and discusses the fascinating history of Rock Creek Station and the Stricker Homesite which served as a stopping point along the Oregon Trail. It is a must see for anyone interested in Idaho and Oregon Trail History. To learn more: facebook.com/friendsofstricker/ friendsofstricker.org/ https://h...

In this week’s episode, Anthony is back and ready to regale us with the tale of an old Mormon pioneer whose desire for revenge ended up being his downfall William Dowdle (Grand Larceny) and a young woman who was accused of being a “Moll” (slang for a gangster’s girlfriend) #5183 Delia Smith (Robbery). Visit the Rock Creek Station/Stricker Homesite on Friday, October 13th, to hear stories of death...

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...

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.idah...

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 Spo...