Behind Gray Walls

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 in the First Degree) and one of the ten men executed on the grounds of the Idaho State Penitentiary on a cold winter night #3301 Noah Arnold (Murder in the First Degree). Be warned...

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).

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 who definitely had a thing for men in the Navy #9050 Elda Lee Lennon (Forgery). Oral History: Charles Sharp; 12/20/2022; Idaho State Archives.

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 – and he chose the one of crime not once but twice #5514/#6137 John Raff (Burglary in the 2nd Degree/Grand Larceny). Looking for last minute gifts? Look no further! Check out t...

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 woman whose cross-country road trip got her in an awful lot of trouble #8337 Kay Goddard (Burglary in the First Degree). Sign up for the monthly Idaho State Historical Society Histo...

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 for wealth and success in a large polygamous family ended in a prison sentence #587 David Norwood (Murder in the 2nd Degree). This episode includes graphic de...

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 whose alleged fiancée was spending her money on someone else #5304 Mary Turner Hansom (Voluntary Manslaughter). This episode includes descriptions of gun violenc...

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 the podcast? Consider becoming a member of the Idaho State Historical Society today! history.idaho.gov/membership/

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 Sampley (Involuntary Manslaughter). This episode includes discussions of sexual crimes against minors and deals with the subject of abortion. Listener discr...

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 Bowman (Inducing a Girl to Enter a House of Prostitution) and a man who portrayed ol' Knothead Gilbert Talley in a monthly comic #8974 Albert McGee (Burglary in the 2nd Degree)...

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 Sharlie, Camas's Wild Man, Ghost Miners, and the Guyascutus. Special thanks to our Historical Society maintenance craftsman Charlie Burry for playing fiddle for...

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 Estella Wilson (Issuing a Check Without Funds) and a man whose head injury may have had a major role to play in his crime #3241 David Hoagland (Murder in the 1st Degree). To l...

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 podcast? Consider becoming a member of the Idaho State Historical Society today! https://history.idaho.gov/membership/

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 the prison’s youngest female inmate who had an affinity for dolls #8170 Alwilda Reems (Murder in the 2nd Degree). Both stories feature intense gun violence. Listener discretion...

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 acc...

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/fo...

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 disc...

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.