inmates of the idaho penitentiary 1864-1947

S E N T E N C I N G E S C A P E PA R D O N S P OV E RT Y FA M I LY C O U RT S C I V I L R I G H T S R AC E C U LT U R E R E L I G I O N O R G A N I Z E D L A B O R WA R I M M I G R AT I O N M I G R AT I O N S U F F R AG E H O M E S T E A D I N G P RO H I B I T I O N O R G A N I Z E D C R I M E T R A F F I C K I N G H A B E A S C O R P U S T H E D E P R E S S I O N M I N E R S C OW B OY S FA R M E R S L A N D WAT E R

IDAHOPENITENTIARY 1864-1947

INMATES OF THE

A COMPREHENSIVE CATALOG

INM

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$24.00 USDISBN 978-0-931406-18-8LCCN 2008934210

Idaho State Historical Society

Public Archives and R

esearch Library2205 O

ld Penitentiary Road

Boise, Idaho 83712 USA

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w.idahohistory.net

Preserving the pastEnriching the future

S E N T E N C I N G E S C A P E PA R D O N S P OV E RT Y FA M I LY C O U RT S C I V I L R I G H T S RACE CULTURE REL IG ION ORGANIZED LABOR WAR IMMIGRATION M IGRATION S U F F R AG E H O M E S T E A D I N G P RO H I B I T I O N O R G A N I Z E D C R I M E T R A F F I C K I N G HABEAS CORPUS THE DEPRESSION MINERS COWBOYS FARMERS LAND WATER

IDAHOPENITENTIARY 1864-1947

INMATES OF THE

A COMPREHENSIVE CATALOG

Inmates of the Idaho Penitentiary 1864-1947: a comprehensive catalog

Compiled and arranged byRachel S Johnstone, DPhil (Oxon)

With introductions byRachelle N LittauPamala S Parker

2008 Idaho State Historical Society

ISBN 978-0-931406-18-8

Library of Congress Control Number 2008934210

Idaho State Historical SocietyPublic Archives and Research Library2205 Old Penitentiary RoadBoise, Idaho 83712USAwww.idahohistory.net/inmates.html

Published by the Idaho State Historical Society, with support from a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission. Printed in Caldwell, Idaho, by the Caxton Printers, Ltd.

The Idaho State Historical Society is an extraordinary system of cultural and historic resources comprised of the Idaho State Historical Museum, Public Archives and Research Library, State Historic Preservation Office, and Historic Sites Program. We seek to inspire, enrich, and engage all Idahoans by leading the state in preserving and sharing our diverse and dynamic cultural heritage.

National Historical Publications and Records CommissionNational Archives and Records Administration700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Room 106Washington, DC 20408-0001USAwww.archives.gov/nhprc/

Copies of this publication may be downloaded free of charge on our website. Costs associated with this publication are available from the Idaho State Historical Society in accordance with Section 60-202, Idaho Code. HB366:10/2008/250/0349

Cover: Photos (left to right): Frank Shea (no 1121, dated 1905) ISHS AR42/20072407/1005.3-3/1121 - William Land (no 883, dated 1902) ISHS AR42/20072408/1006.2-4/883 - George Hamilton (no 764, dated 1900) ISHS AR42/20072405/1004.3-3/764. Cover and content design and layout by Rachel Johnstone.

Preserving the past Enriching the future

Acknowledgements ivContributors ivPreface v

A brief legislative history vHow to use the catalog ixA note about numbers and names xAsk a librarian or archivist x

Introduction: A historic mystery, solved, by Rachelle N. Littau xiIntroduction: A tale of two inmates, by Pamala S. Parker xiiiHidden Histories: A chronological outline xvGlossary to cross-referenced collections xxiiiCatalog: Inmates of the Idaho penitentiary 1864-1947 1Index: Names, alphabetical 319Index: Inmate designations by county or jurisdiction 375Index: Women 393Index: Juveniles 395

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1-a: Idaho penitentiary incarcerations 1864-1905, compared to census (population) data viFigure 1-b: Idaho penitentiary incarcerations 1906-1947, compared to census (population) data viFigure 2: Idaho penitentiary incarcerations, 1864-1947, by crime group viiFigure 3: Idaho penitentiary incarcerations, 1864-1947, by county viiFigure 4: Idaho penitentiary incarcerations, by age at incarceration, 1864-1947 viiiFigure 5: Description of convict forms, 1884 and 1909 viiiFigure 6: Detail of Bertillon charts, 1897 and 1900 ix

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

In 2001, Bonnie Fuller, Dovie Darchuk, Suzanne Shemwell, Linda VanZant, Barbara Wright, and Carolann Zagrafosmembers of the Boise Dead Relative Collectors volunteered over 500 hours to create the first electronic, alphabetical index to Idaho State Penitentiary inmate files in the custody of the Idaho State Historical Society. Julie Yandell volunteered to expand public access even further in 2003, by using census records, prison reports, and registers to compile a list of territorial inmates. Steve Barrett, PhD, of the Societys Public Archives and Research Library, leveraged this generous contribution in 2007 to write a grant to preserve the most fragile files and photographs (those originating between 1864 and 1947). A year-long project to preserve originally tri-folded records, reunite documents with mug shots, develop and implement procedures for handling material restricted by law, and catalog the collection was funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Rachel Johnstone took on management of the project in September 2007; this catalog represents the ongoing efforts of Society volunteers and staff to expand and enhance access to Idahos historical public record.

Karri AldersonMargit Amundsen

Steve BarrettCarolyn Bowler

Heidi BoydTeresa Dewey

Kate FredericksenGary Frederickson

Bonnie FullerTobie GarrickSandy Hicks

Linda HofenbeckRod House

Don JeanroyRachelle Littau Phyllis Lyons

CONTRIBUTORS

With special thanks to Carole Anderson, for contributing more than 390 volunteer hours in 2007 and 2008

Emily MannyElizabeth Margolis

Lori McKinleyDon McNarie

Linda Morton-KeithleyBob Olson

Pamala ParkerJim Riley

Bruce SchaeferJim Schneider

Michael Mags ShawGail Ulrey

Amy VecchioneSteve WalkerKalynn WardGail Wilson

and John Yandell

PREFACE

During the 83 years encompassed by this catalog (1864-1947), the Idaho Penitentiary was not merely a series of buildings, nor did the penitentiary occupy a single location. Reflecting the migration and evolution of the institution a history which echoed the changing nature of the territory and the state this catalog endeavors to present a comprehensive list of all territorial and state prisoners from 1864-1947, as well as a key to inmate files within the Department of Correction archival collection (AR42).

A BRIEF LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

In 1864, the territorial legislative assembly designated the jails in Lewiston (Nez Perce county) and Idaho City (Boise county) as temporary territorial prisons and the Nez Perce and Boise county sheriffs as keepers under a prison commissioner (the territorial treasurer, ex officio).1 In 1866, the assembly consolidated the prison and transferred all territorial prisoners to the Boise county jail.2 At least 89 men and 2 women were held as territorial prisoners in these jails between 1864 and 1872.

In 1867, the United States Congress provided for the construction of a central and permanent General Penitentiary and Prison, an act which the Idaho assembly codified into territorial law in 1869.3 Construction began outside Boise City in April 1870.4 In September a local newspaper reported:

The penitentiary looms up like the frowning walls of some impregnable fortress. Distance lends enchantment. This building will be ready for the reception of guests in a very little while. The man who would commit a felony within sight of its gloomy walls ought to spend the remainder of his days within them.5

1 An act to create a Territorial Prison Commissioner and to provide for the care and safe keeping of Territorial Convicts, H. 14, Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Idaho, 2d Sess. (1864), printed in Laws of the Territory of Idaho, Second Session (Boise : Frank Kenyon Territorial Printer, 1866), chapter 13; cf Idaho World (18 March 1865)

2 To create a Territorial Prison Commissioner and to provide for the care and safe keeping of Territorial Convicts, Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Idaho, 3d Sess. (1866), printed in Laws of the Territory of Idaho, Third Session (Boise : Frank Kenyon Territorial Printer, 1866), chapter 25

3 An Act Regulating the Conduct, Discipline and Management of the Territorial Prison, Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Idaho, 5th Sess. (1869), printed in Laws of the Territory of Idaho, Fifth Session (Boise : James Reynolds Territorial Printer, 1869), chapter 4

4 Idaho Statesman (2 April 1870) p3, c15 Idaho Statesman (27 September 1870) p5, c2

The following year, 1871, the assembly recognized,

That the Penitentiary Building erected by the United States, in the County of Ada, in the Territory of Idaho, be and the same is hereby declared to be the General Penitentiary and Territorial Prison of the Territory of Idaho, wherein shall be confined for reformation and punishment, and employed at hard labor, all offenders who have been, or shall hereafter be convicted and sentenced according to law, to imprisonment at hard labor in the Territorial Prison.6

Prisoners, however, were not transferred to the new penitentiary until March 1872, while the territory and federal government negotiated the onerous particulars of financial responsibility, including a contract with the United States Marshal for the territory to act as keeper of the prison.7 Governance of the penitentiary shifted again in 1885, when the legislature appointed a three-person prison commission with oversight authority.8 In 1889, the commissions powers included the authority to investigate allegations of mistreatment of prisoners, and to transfer inmates to the Idaho Insane Asylum.9

Through an act of first state legislature in 1891, the penitentiary became the Idaho State Penitentiary:

There shall be continually maintained, for the care and custody of convicts in Idaho, a penitentiary at Boise City, in Ada County, on the lands connected therewith and set apart and reserved therefor and granted and donated to the State of Idaho by the general government upon its admission into the Union.10

While the Idaho constitution (adopted July 1890) made provision for inmates to apply for reprieve by creating a board of pardons (distinct from the prison commission),

6 To Provide for the Keeping and Accommodation of Territorial Prisoners, Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Idaho, 6th Sess. (1871), printed in Laws of the Territory of Idaho, Sixth Session (Boise : James Reynolds Territorial Printer, 1871), 49

7 Idaho World (28 March 1872); Idaho Statesman (2 March 1872)8 To Create a Prison Commission for the Territory of Idaho, and to Define

Their Powers and Duties, Legislature of the Territory of Idaho, 13th Sess. (1885), printed in General Laws of the Territory of Idaho, Thirteenth Session (Boise : James Pinney Territorial Printer, 1885), 16

9 To Create a Prison Commission and to Prescribe Its Powers and Duties, Legislature of the Territory of Idaho, 15th Sess. (1889), printed in General Laws of the Territory of Idaho, Fifteenth Session (Boise : James Pinney Territorial Printer, 1889), 16

10 To Provide for the Government and Maintenance of the Penitentiary, and for the Care and Custody of State Prisoners, Legislature of the State of Idaho, 1st Sess. (1891), printed in General Laws of the State of Idaho, First Session (Boise : James Pinney Territorial Printer, 1891), 21

IDAHO STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

vi

524,873445,032431,866

325,594

0

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1906 1910 1914 1918 1922 1926 1930 1934 1938 1942 1946

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US enters fi rst world war (April 1917) US enters second world war (December 1941)

161,772

88,54832,61014,999

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1864 1868 1872 1876 1880 1884 1888 1892 1896 1900 1904

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nPenitentiary outside Boise Cityopens (March 1872)

Idaho territorial prisons established (December 1864) Idaho becomes a state (July 1890)

the board did not function until the legislature set a schedule for the boards meetings in January 1891.11 This resulted in practical delays for inmates petitioning for release, including Thomas McClary (no. 8), who remarked to a friend on the unfortunate circumstances which obliged a retreat into winter quarters on this campaign of mine.12

The states 1891 legislation initiated a number of changes which would define the operations and history of the penitentiary for many years to come. It created the post of warden and expanded the powers and duties of the prison commission (distinct from the board of pardons), designated a prison physician, provided a mechanism for the continued housing of federal prisoners, and set an admission charge for visitors (not to exceed twenty-five cents), the funds from which were to supply a prison library. The legislation also limited punishment: No punishment shall ever be inflicted except solitary

11 Constitution of the State of Idaho (Boise : Statesman Printing Co, 1891), article IV, section 7; To Prescribe Sessions of the Board of Pardons, the Manner in which Applications for Pardon Shall Be Made, and to Regulate the Proceedings Thereon, Legislature of the State of Idaho, 1st Sess. (1891), printed in General Laws of the State of Idaho, First Session (Boise : James Pinney Territorial Printer, 1891), 17

12 Thomas McClary to Major George Manning (19 November 1890), AR42/20063153/1002.1-2/8

confinement on bread and water, or by wearing ball and chain attached to one leg.13

During the period covered by this catalog (1864-1947), Idaho incarcerated at least 7,570 men, women, and children in Lewiston, Idaho City, and Boise (figures 1-2).14 These prisoners came from 46 counties (including the non-extant Alturas and Logan counties), as well as federal jurisdictions, and at the time of their incarceration, ranged in ages from 10 to 82 (figures 3-4). Indices for women prisoners and juvenile inmates are provided at the back of this catalog.

Beyond irregular reports submitted by the territorial prison authorities from 1865, no systematic or central record of

13 To Provide for the Government and Maintenance of the Penitentiary, and for the Care and Custody of State Prisoners, Legislature of the State of Idaho, 1st Sess. (1891), printed in General Laws of the State of Idaho, First Session (Boise : James Pinney Territorial Printer, 1891), 21

14 1877 legislation further complicates reconstruction of the historical record in respect to territorial prisoners. It provided that, in cases where a territorial prison sentence was less than one year, the jail of the county or adjoining county wherein the prisoner was tried should retain the prisoner and the jail shall be deemed the territorial prison. To provide for the imprisonment of Territorial Prisoners in county jails in certain cases, Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Idaho, 9th Sess. (1877), printed in Laws of the Territory of Idaho, Ninth Session (Boise : Milton Kelly Territorial Printer, 1877)

Figure 1-a: Idaho penitentiary incarcerations 1864-1905, compared to census (population) data

Figure 1-b: Idaho penitentiary incarcerations 1906-1947, compared to census (population) data

Sources: Idaho State Historical Society analysis of information from its collections, and 1870, 1880, 1890, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 population (total) data from US Census Bureau, 1990 Census of Population and Housing, 1990 Population and Housing Unit Counts: United States. CPH-2 (Washington, DC : US Census Bureau, 1993), table 16

vii

INMATES OF THE IDAHO PENITENTIARY 1864-1947

57

561

19

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12

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255

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Adultery

Arson

Assault

Bigamy

Bribery

Burglary

Cohabitation

Counterfeiting

Embezzlement

Forgery

Fraud

Grand larceny

Incest

Jail Break

Kidnapping

Liquor

Manslaughter

Miscellaneous

Murder

Perjury

Polygamy

Prostitution

Rape

Robbery

Sodomy

Syndicalism

1466

1300

1987

2143

673106

84457

12777

132293

3821

4546

13232

14102

72146

29158

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47643

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AdaAdamsAlturas

BannockBear LakeBenewahBingham

BlaineBoise

BonnerBonnevilleBoundary

ButteCamas

CanyonCaribou

CassiaClark

ClearwaterCusterElmore

FranklinFremont

GemGooding

IdahoJefferson

JeromeKootenai

LatahLemhiLewis

LincolnLogan

MadisonMinidoka

Nez PerceOneida

OwyheePayettePower

ShoshoneTeton

Twin FallsValley

Washington

NB Excludes federal jurisdictions, 1st and 2nd district cases, and inmates for whom jurisdiction is not known.

Figure 3: Idaho penitentiary incarcerations, 1864-1947 by county

Sources: Idaho State Historical Society analysis of information from its collections.

NB Data include persons held on charges for each respective crime group. For example, persons held for trial (robbery) are counted under robbery. Assault includes a number of convictions that might today be considered attempted felonies, for example, assault with intent to rob. Liquor includes all such related offenses, including trafficking alcohol in the Indian territories (1871-1908), prohibition violations (1916-1932), and driving under the influence. Prostitution includes convictions for those engaged in, purchasing, or promoting prostitution. Sodomy includes those convictions termed the infamous crime against nature. Miscellaneous includes crimes with fewer than six incarcerations each, such as depositing in US Mail for mailing and delivery obscene, lewd and lascivious matter, malicious injury to buildings by explosion of dynamite, or exposing another person to infection of a dangerous disease.

prisoners was kept until 1878.15 Idahos 1891 penitentiary legislation specifically addressed this deficiency, and obligated the warden to keep and make available books, accounts, documents, registers and reports concerning the operations of the penitentiary.16 While penitentiary staff began to use log books and registers in 1878, from

15 See the glossary of cross-referenced collections on page 25.16 See footnote number 13.

about 1884 they began to systematically record inmates through the use of registers, forms, and photographs. Although many early inmate files contain photographs, only in the latter half of the 1890s did penitentiary staff began to systematically collect mug shots as part of the intake process.

Figure 2: Idaho penitentiary incarcerations, 1864-1947 by crime group


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In addition to court records, family correspondence, petitions, and employment, education, and punishment records, the files kept on individual inmates contain two significant standardized forms. These intake records the Description of Convict form (circa 1884) and anthropometric Bertillon chart (circa 1893) reflect data gathered through interviews with prisoners. These

Figure 5: Description of convict forms, 1884 and 1909

Source: James Bird (no. 50), AR42/20063165/1014.1-1/50; and Edward Fitzgibbons (no. 1591), AR42/20072417/1009.4-4/1591

Figure 4: Idaho penitentiary incarcerations, by age at incarceration, 1864-1947

files contain a wealth of social, environmental, and health and occupational information about each individual (see figures 5-6).17

17 Bertillon charts are named for Alphonse Bertillon (1853- 1914), who is credited with developing the system of physical measurements (anthropometry) which preceded the use of fingerprints for criminal identification in law enforcement.

Source: Idaho State Historical Society analysis of information from its collections.

ix


File: AR42 / 20072408 / 1006.2-4 / 883

This catalog has endeavored to comprehensively cover inmates from 1864 to 1947, including those for whom individual case files do not survive and who can only be identified through reference to a broad range of archives holdings. Inmates identified in this way are indicated in the catalog as collection references, with citations included in the notes field (see diagram on page 1). However, due to the scarcity of documentation for the earliest years of the penitentiary, lost inmates may yet be identified. In the same way, cross-references provided in this catalog are by no means comprehensive, but rather

HOW TO USE THE CATALOG

Standardized inmate records make up the bulk (185 cubic feet) of the Societys correctional collection (AR42). These inmate files were transferred to the Societys Public Archives and Research Library by the Idaho Department of Correction in 1995. While the majority of these documents remain in excellent condition, extensive water and handling damage dating from the 1970s is evident in some parts of the collection. During general archival preservation of the inmate files, we also aimed to restore the original order to the collection, while providing cross-references to other archival holdings wherever possible. Inmates for whom the archives holds distinct case files are assigned individual file reference numbers, as follows:

Collection number

Accession number

Box number

File number

Figure 6: Detail of Bertillon charts, 1897 and 1900

Source: Clockwise from top left, John Hines (no. 544), George Brown (no. 549), and James Fitzgerald (no. 599), AR42/20063155/1004.1-3/544, 549, and 599; Bartley Rigley (no. 789), AR42/20063157/1006.1-4/789

HO

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O


x

represent a starting point for researchers wishing to dig deeper. For example, we have provided a limited number of individual references to county criminal cases. If you are interested in access to the criminal (or in some cases, probate) court file for any inmate, please contact a librarian or archivist. The Society holds a wide array of original and microfilm resources for public access. A glossary to cross-references is provided.

A NOTE ABOUT NUMBERS AND NAMES

The arrangement of this catalog in chronological and register order attempts to mirror the methods penitentiary staff used to catalog and manage prisoners. Penitentiary staff began to assign sequential register numbers to both new and existing inmates from about 1884. This numbering system was neither uniform, nor consistently applied, however. As late as 1902, some inmates were processed without numbers or without a formal record. Frank Barrett and George Ferguson both held on federal charges in 1902 were the last known unregistered prisoners.

In addition, from 1886 to 1893 some 60 inmates were assigned numbers which followed by the letter B paralleled the numbering system for the main prison population. Of these B-numbered inmates, 15 were incarcerated for crimes related to trafficking alcohol in tribal territories, and 25 for unlawful cohabitation or on a charge of polygamy. In 1904, penitentiary staff reintegrated the remaining B inmates into the general population, assigning each a new number from the main register. In these cases, inmates are listed in this catalog under both their standard and B numbers.

For inmates who recidivated (were incarcerated more than once), the penitentiary assigned unique numbers for each new incarceration.18 This is an important philosophical distinction, one which delineates the difference between numbering a human being and numbering an incarceration event. For example, when Bugs Miller completed his sentence as inmate no. 748 in 1901, that number, along with Millers sentence, was terminated. When incarcerated again in 1911, Miller became inmate no. 1768, with distinct sentence and a distinct opportunity to bring that particular event to a close.

18 Harry McKay was the sole exception to this rule. McKay was incarcerated twice at the penitentiary, as no. 213 in 1889, and as no. 52B (reassigned later as no. 213.5) in 1892.

In addition, each inmate is listed by the name under which they were incarcerated regardless of whether this name was proven to be a true name or an alias followed by secondary names gleaned from the inmates record. This arrangement is also designed to preserve the original order of the collection. Joe Miller almost certainly not his true name (no. 4322) had at least 21 names on record, any one of which may have been the name he was given at birth. When asked for his aliases during his intake interview, Frank Wilcox (no. 3235) claimed to have had hundreds of them.19 To help researchers identify multiple incarcerations and inmates who were imprisoned under aliases, we have provided an alphabetical index to the 13,190 names, nicknames, alternate spellings, and aliases used by the 7,570 inmates in this catalog.

ASK A LIBRARIAN OR ARCHIVIST

Certain information contained in inmate files may be restricted under Idaho Public Records Law. As laws are subject to change over time, if you have any questions about access to inmate files, please contact a librarian or archivist:

Idaho State Historical SocietyPublic Archives and Research Library

2205 Old Penitentiary RoadBoise, Idaho 83712

USA

www.idahohistory.net/inmates.html

[email protected]

telephone (208) 334 2620

19 Wilcox (no. 3235), State Penitentiary, Boise, Idaho, Description of Convict (10 February 1923), AR42/20072433/1024.2-2/3235

INTRODUCTION

Researching history is like detective work. You scour the scene, look under every rock, talk to every possible witness, review security tapes (okay, historic photos) and from your findings try to present the most accurate picture of an event as you can. Of course, the findings are subject to the detectives interpretation. The Old Idaho Penitentiary can be a particularly difficult and sometimes frustrating case to crack.

The Old Idaho Penitentiary at Boise served as Idahos prison for 101 years. Following the Idaho Department of Corrections move to a new institution south of Boise in 1973, the Idaho State Historical Society took over administration of the site. The acquisition of the prison site and its subsequent opening to visitors gave people from around the world the opportunity to enter the cellblocks and walk the yards where prisoners worked and lived for more than a century. While simply wandering through the site is a powerful experience, that experience becomes more meaningful through sharing stories of these prisoners. This is where the detective work comes into play.

Beyond the physical prison site, the Idaho State Historical Society administers a vast amount of resources that contribute to the interpretation of this historic institution. The Idaho State Historical Museum holds personal artifacts used by guards and inmates, while the Societys Public Archives and Research Library holds a vast collection of research materials including photographs, oral histories, wardens reports, and inmate files. Yet even with all these resources the Old Idaho Penitentiary still contains mysteries that require detective work to try to solve.

The case of Douglas Van Vlack (no. 5264) is an excellent example of just one of those mysteries. Van Vlack received the death penalty for the kidnapping and murder of his estranged wife. He was sentenced to hang at the prison on 10 December 1937. He never made it to the gallows. After visiting with his mother on 9 December, Van Vlack slipped past guards at the prison and climbed into the rafters of his cellhouse. After a short time in the rafters, Van Vlack proclaimed, My mother told me it was all right for me to choose the way I wanted to die. Ill never

by Rachelle N Littau

hang on that rope.1 He then dove head first into the cellhouses concrete floor. He died from his injuries a few hours later.

The story sounds straightforward but one small bit of the tale is difficult to determine. Which Old Idaho Penitentiary cellhouse was the location of Van Vlacks suicide? There are two possibilities. Today, these two buildings are called the New Cellhouse and Two House.2 Inconsistencies in the existing evidence add to the confusion. However, an educated guess can be made by examining and interpreting all the available evidence.

The Idaho Statesman, a Boise newspaper, provided a great deal of evidence for this story in articles published in the days leading up to Van Vlacks impending execution and following his subsequent suicide.3 These events were front page news in the 8, 9, and 10 December 1937 editions. Most of the evidence from the Statesman indicates that Two House was the site of the suicide. Photographs in both the 8 and 9 December editions show the exterior of Two House and identify it as the building where Van Vlack awaited his fate. The 10 December edition printed an interior photograph of Two House as well as an X drawn where Van Vlack purportedly climbed onto a table to gain access to the second floor to begin his upward ascent. No table is shown in the photograph.

Three articles about Van Vlack and the event appeared in the 10 December edition of the Statesman. One of these articles stated that Van Vlack hurtled from a steel rafter 28 feet above the concrete floor in the death house. Again the evidence points directly to Two House. It has steel rafters as opposed to the wooden rafters in the New Cellhouse.

There are, however, a few instances in the 10 December Statesman that throw doubt on the assumption that Two House is the location of the suicide. The 10 December

1 Condemned Prisoner Suicides In Wild Leap To Corridor Floor After Eluding Prison Guards, Idaho Statesman (10 December 1937), p2, c4

2 The New Cellhouse, the first cellhouse built after the original structure in 1870, was constructed in 1889. Construction on Two House, also known as the North Wing, began in 1899 and was completed in 1911.

3 Idaho Statesman (8 December 1937); Idaho Statesman (9 December 1937); Idaho Statesman (10 December 1937)

A HISTORIC MYSTERY, SOLVED


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article noting the steel rafters added confusion to the story mentioning twice that the cellblock had three tiers. Two House has four tiers. The New Cellhouse has three. The 10 December Statesman also details that a net was being brought into the cellhouse but that the net could not be deployed because the corridor was only seven feet wide (the net required a width of ten feet). Again, the New Cellhouses corridors are less than ten feet wide; the corridors in Two House are wider than ten feet.

If a researcher were to rely solely on newspaper accounts, Two House would appear to be the most logical location for the suicide even with minor inconsistencies in the evidence. However, other resources exist that call this assumption into question.

Two possible witnesses to the event identified themselves to Society staff. Both of these men were former guards and both were adamant, more than a half century after the event, that the suicide occurred in the New Cellhouse.

The Society also possesses other resources about Douglas Van Vlack. His inmate file unfortunately does not shed any light on which building he died in. Another clue to the mystery was recently discovered in the E L Shorty Fuller collection. Fuller was a freelance Associated Press photographer who photographed for the Statesman from 1937 to 1942. This collection contains negatives, photographic prints, and scrapbooks that document various news stories. Two photographs in the collection, presumably taken shortly after the suicide, show the interior of a cellhouse the New Cellhouse. The first photograph shows a mattress on the ground next to the wall. The back of the photograph reads, Where Van Vlack died. A foot or two from where he did his dive from the rafter.4 One of the 10 December Statesman articles mentions this mattress. The article says, Van

4 Idaho State Historical Society MS 511.863

Vlack was moved a few feet and was placed on a mattress. The second Fuller photograph shows a table in the corridor of the New Cellhouse that could be the one Van Vlack used to gain access to the second tier of the cellhouse.

After reviewing all available evidence in the Van Vlack mystery, most staff and volunteers at the Old Idaho Penitentiary believe the suicide of Douglas Van Vlack occurred in the New Cellhouse. The discovery of new evidence could always change that belief.

Those who share Old Penitentiary history with the public try to be as accurate as possible, though determining what really happened can often be challenging. The staff strives to be respectful to the experiences of those men and women who spent time at the penitentiary as those experiences bring value and relevance to the old prison buildings. Sharing the sites stories with visitors as well as the difficulty in finding the truth behind those stories makes the visitors experience at the site interesting, meaningful and can sometimes inspire them to investigate the prisons history on their own.

The inmate files contain a wealth of information about the men and women who served time at the prison. The Societys catalog of inmate files will make accessing those files easier. This catalog will provide one more resource for investigating Old Penitentiary history and contribute greatly to uncovering stories of the Old Idaho Penitentiarys former residents, staff and historic buildings. The inmate files project has identified more than 1,250 missing inmates. Previously, there was no evidence that these inmates whose records were lost or sometimes folded into other inmates files had served time here. Who knows what stories those missing inmates have to tell?

I finished the book and put it down.1 It was one I choose to take to the mountains to read on my familys hunting trip. It attracted my attention because it was a novel based on a true story of a murder that happened in Valley County, Idaho, in the early 1900s.

I finished reading the book, but I knew the story had not ended. I wondered how much of this story was true. I couldnt wait to get home to find out more.

My search started with the internet. I Googled. Nothing. I came to the Idaho State Historical Societys website and found they had an inmate catalog they were working on. I still had a huge hurdle. I didnt know the real names of the victim or of the husband and wife who were involved in the murder. I knew I would need to make a trip to the Public Archives and Research Library. There I found helpful staff who were able to determine the names of the husband and wife. Both had served time in the Idaho Penitentiary.

I now knew the husbands name was Charles Ernst and the wifes name was Frances Ernst. This was exciting, but that didnt compare to the excitement I felt when this helpful staff member asked, Would you like to see these inmate files?2 Of course I wanted to see them. I had no idea that was even possible. My mind was spinning with anticipation of what might be gleaned from an inmate file. I opened up the first file and staring me in the face was a photo of Charles. Wow!

That day at the Public Archives and Research Library, I was handed a couple photos, some files about Charles and Frances, and an invitation to step back in time into the lives of total strangers, nearly 100 years in the past.

That one moment of curiosity that I couldnt shake has turned into many months of fun and exciting research. A further search at the Public Archives and Research Library

1 Smith, Don Ian and Naida West, Murder on the Middle Fork (Rancho Murieta : Bridge House Books, 2005)

2 Charles Ernst (no. 2755), AR42/20063170/1019.1-2/2755; Frances Ernst (no. 2755), AR42/20063170/1019.1-2/2756

uncovered the actual transcripts from Charles trial.3 This was amazing and sometimes comical reading.

Just before the trial, Charles talked Sheriff E A Smith into letting him go to the Mitchell Hotel were Frances was staying, so they could talk.4 Sheriff Smith agreed with Charles scheme, even though he knew this was not exactly appropriate. Charles was hoping to talk Frances into taking the rap on the murder. Sheriff Smith was hoping to hear a confession from Charles. Everyone had their own agenda.

One of the new fangled Dictaphone machines was brought in. The cone style voice transmitter end was placed in Frances room and the telephone style receiving portion was placed in the adjacent room. This failed miserably. The technology was not advanced enough for the conversation to be heard. More meetings were arranged and on the last attempt a 12 inch square hole was made in the wall connecting the two rooms. On Frances side of the wall, a cover was hung to hide the hole. In the adjoining room, a man was assigned to stand with his head poking through into Frances room to listen for a confession. This also failed.

Charles was found guilty of second degree murder and Frances pled guilty to manslaughter. Both were sentenced to serve time in the Idaho State Penitentiary, while their five year old son was placed in the Idaho Childrens Home.

I am still turning the pages in documents located at the Public Archives and Research Library, looking at microfilm, reading old newspapers, and searching websites. Months ago I finished reading a book, but today I am still looking for the rest of the story.

I know when I exhaust this search, there is yet another interesting inmate story waiting for me to discover. Maybe there is one waiting for you as well.

3 State of Idaho v Ernst AR9/19970692/179/3541; State of Idaho v Ernst AR220/19972589/61-109/90

4 See Hopfenbeck, Linda, comp. Lawmen: the history of Idaho sheriffs 1863-2000 (Boise : Idaho Sheriffs Association, 2002)

INTRODUCTION

by Pamala S Parker

A TALE OF TWO INMATES


xiv

HIDDEN HISTORIESA CHRONOLOGICAL OUTLINE

James Oscar Baker (no. 88) becomes the penitentiarys youngest inmate at age 10. Baker pled guilty to manslaughter for shooting a man in the Soda Springs saloon where his father tended bar. A petition for his pardon claimed the inquest jurors were unable to agree that a boy of Bakers tender years could be held responsible for his acts or not.

Frank Ferron (no. 154) dug through the wall of his cell, into the cell of Nate Young (no. 161) and Thomas Lovett (no. 162) in preparation for his first escape attempt. Ferron was later disciplined for assaulting Edward Harrington (no. 180) with a heavy tin cup while at dinner, for escaping by removing the bricks from the ceiling of his cell, for destroying food, and for insolence, laziness, and disobedience.

The district attorney of Kootenai county railed in a letter against First District judge Norman Bucks recommendation to pardon Charles Ross (no. 177): I do not believe it will have any effect on the Governor. First, because Governor Stevenson will not pardon Ross if every man in the Territory recommended it unless he is convinced that it was justifiable homicide, and secondly, that Judge Buck has never convinced Gov. Stevenson of his ability, honesty, or fairness any more than he has the people of Kootenai or Shoshone Counties, and I can just fancy Gov. Stevenson throwing down his recommendation with a look of disgust and the forcible remark of Judge Buck be damned.

A letter to the governor regarding William Hordemann (no. 172) noted that co-defendant Rodney Wright (no. 113) had come to Idaho from Oregon ambitious, as many of our western boys are to become a cow-boy. He was thrown into wreckless company, young full of vivacity, got mixed up with a drunken carousal and shot one of his companions... but most of the people, like myself, have little sympathy with this cow-boy element.

John Wilson (no. 251) organized a prison Thanksgiving Programme with music contributed from both inmates and the outside community. Wilson, Monroe Palmer (no. 332) and Orlando Barker (no. 232) were to play the harp, while Joseph Ross (no. 293) and James Marble (no. 240) sang.

A petition for the pardon of Richard Peeke (no. 98), signed by over 250 citizens, addressed the Board of Pardons as Our Servants. While condemning the license of the past by our ex servants in pardoning cold blooded murders, the petitioners called on the board to now let Richard Peeke out from our prison.

A letter of recommendation from the War Department called attention to Dr E J OCallaghans (no. 135) service record in the Indian Campaigns in Wyoming away back in the seventies, and a recommendation from Admiral Benjamin Sands referring in the highest terms to his conduct at the storming of Fort Fisher which assault you know was no pic-nic.

1893

1892

1891

1890

1889

1888

1887

1886

1885

1894

Dennis McCarthy (no. 73), convicted of murder, received letters of recommendation from five former wardens and superintendents of the penitentiary. Among them, US Marshall John Hailey noted that he entrusted McCarthy with the care of his two children, but professed ignorance as to his guilt or innocence of the crime for which he was sent here.

NB Sources for this timeline are available from the files and cross-reference for each respective inmate. Check the catalog by inmate number to find the reference numbers for each individual.


xvi

During a spree at the John Banks saloon in Payette, John Burns (no. 498) cut a hole in the pocket of a sleeping friends overalls, extracting two dollars, and spending a half-dollar on a round of drinks at the bar. Burns spent less than seven months inside for this grand larceny.

Levi Dixon (no. 731) was convicted of assault after a two-year dispute with a man who tried to jump, and thereby secure a preference right to land Dixon occupied under the Homestead laws of the United States, and for which Dixon had sought, and obtained recognition in the probate court of Nez Perce county.

Naomi Mc.D. Phelps, Evangelist and Alice Phelps, Evangelist petitioned the governor for the pardon and release from that place of Robert Gray (no. 513), convicted of stealing a cayuse pony, worth about five dollars.

A former deputy sheriff from Colorado, Elmer Halford (no. 715) was convicted of grand larceny after failing to cut another mans horse from his own herds of horses and cattle herds that, according to his petition for pardon, had taken years of his early life to accumulate, and... have since been neglected and scattered until only a small number remain. Halford requested a release in order to gather and save the few remaining bands before the winter sets in.

Petitioners claimed that William McGraw (no. 737) had not received a fair trial or just sentence in 1897 due to the political climate, namely, the judges aspirations to the Supreme Court, the recent passage of a womens suffrage measure and influence of the female vote, and the impact of 1895 legislation which raised the age of consent (to eighteen).

Fifteen-year old Ida Laherty (no. 901) stole a team of horses from a Moscow livery stable, at the request of a young gentleman. Laherty and her accomplice drove the team to Oakesdale, Washington, where they parted company. Laherty drove the team on her own 60 miles to Sprauge, where she was arrested. Laherty spent three months in the penitentiary.

Physicians visiting the penitentiary at the request of the Board of Pardons to attend to Major Darnold (no. 319) and Frank Reed (no. 320), reported: As to the Sanitary condition of the rooms occupied by these two convicts, It is none of the best as they are, but may be improved in some measures and made as aseptic as possible. The most essential thing for the benefit of sick convicts at your prison is a good light airy Hospital. Considering the number of men now in the institution.

1903

1902

1901

1900

1899

1898

1897

1896

1895

1904 Spanish-American war veteran James Crea (no. 1045) killed a man who threatened to strike him with a Tom & Jerry mug during a fight in the Maze saloon (detail shown) in Grangeville.

In March, Arthur Arey (no. 538) requested the flower job from the warden, in a bid for leniency from the pardon board. In July, he was put at pounding rock after he was caught in a dope smuggling conspiracy with Frank King (no. 870), Joseph ODonnell (no. 743), and Michael Baker (no. 840). In December, his letter to the Board of Pardons stated: I am no paragon. Between 1897 and 1905, Arey received disciplinary action on no less than ten occasions; in 1905 he was confined to his cell indefinitely.

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1913

1912

1911

1910

1909

1908

1907

1906

1905

1914

Petitions for pardon discussed how language and culture may have affected the fair (or otherwise) trial of Yee Wee (no. 704), who reportedly had abandoned some Chinese customs, and was out of harmony with the Chinese residents of Hailey on race questions.

Frank Gardner (no. 871) was given charge of the penitentiary photographic department, in addition to oversight of the prison hospital.

Trusty David Richards (no. 850) request for parole was supported by letters from six penitentiary staff, including the warden, a judge, and some 300 citizens and merchants of Malad City, including DL Evans, then of the Malad Cooperative. Within six months of his release, residents reported that Richards was disturbing the peace and is drunk and has been drunk the greatest part of the time for the last two months.

Ernest Lindquist (no. 1431), recently immigrated from Sweden, began his Idaho term (less than a year) for burglary. Within a year of his release, Lindquist had killed another man and begun a 42-year term in Iowa, where he became known as the Forgotten Man of the Iowa State Pen. Lindquist married shortly after his release in 1952; the US Department of Justice instituted deportation proceedings against him in 1953.

Fred Harris (no. 1622), Harry Reel (no. 1648), James Cook (no. 1672), and John Burke (no. 1688) used nitroglycerin to burglarize the Boise Ice Cream Company on Bannock Street.

Edward Streeter (no. 1393) complained to the warden that, while on parole, his employer would only furnish me meat when he had it himself. Sometimes I cant get any for 10 days at a time.

John Whittle (no. 1574), Harry ONeal (no. 1575), James Cameron (no. 1576), Robert Page (no. 1577), Frank Martin (no. 1578), and Bert Russell (no. 1579) all incarcerated in June 1909 were deemed to be illegally imprisoned under indeterminate sentence law and released on writs of habeas corpus.

While a trusty at the penitentiary power house, A E Miller (no. 1545) sabotaged the machinery by dosing the oil used with emery dust.

Thomas Jennings (no. 1809) was born in Buffalo, New York, of Irish-born parents, and had two daughters living in Santa Cruz, California. He told the prison authorities he had worked in California, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho as a railroad man, miner and mining promoter, superintendent of streets, tax collector, store owner, postmaster, optician, writer, Sewing Machine agent... & etc.

Jack Clayton (no. 3062) was 16 when the first world war began. He enlisted in the Signal Corps shortly after his eighteenth birthday, and served in the Marne. At the time of his incarceration, Clayton was making a living as a boxer and prize fighter.


xviii

1923

1922

1921

1920

1919

1918

1917

1916

1915

1924

Oscar Neilsen (no. 2309) was convicted of burglary after being discovered in a dry goods store on a Sunday morning standing near the shirt counter where working mens shirts were kept, picking out a shirt for himself. According to the prosecutor, There was no evidence of any intention to get anything but things which he needed for himself.

Lee Roy Rices (no. 2738) mother sent him a lock of her hair with a letter: Abner got up & beat it three weeks ago last night at about 11 oclock and left me with just 20 and not a speck of feed for the stock and I have sure had some time to get things straightened out. George Philips and Jack Murphy has been helping me to put in some garden and water the stock for me and George went after a load of hay for me so the stock wouldent starve. I wouldent mind it so much if my lease on the place was all paid so they could not set me out of a home.

Gust Haraldson (no. 2828) began a two-year term in the penitentiary for being a member of the International Workers of the World while employed on the construction of the North & South State Highway. Haraldson was indifferent as to the purposes of the organization as long as he secured employment, according to the prosecuting attorney and Second District judge who, along with the sheriff of Idaho county, offered character references.

After two years in prison for murder, Dong Sing (no. 3171) and Lo Ming (no. 3172) were pardoned. Petitioners successfully argued that the trial and subsequent appeal to the Supreme Court had been prejudiced, as is usual in all Chinese murder trials.

Frank Coleman (no. 3244) was incarcerated for stealing 28 sacks of grain, after a series of misfortunes: Drought in 1918 forced his family to leave a farm in Iona. In 1920 the Reclamation Project denied water to the parcel of land he filed under the Cary Act in King Hill. In 1922, a series of miscommunications with a Fairfield real estate man left his family homeless. The prosecuting attorney wrote: Upon being accused he immediately confessed, saying that he was up against it, and made no plea for mercy whatever. I cannot understand him he seemed willing and ready to go to the pen.

Otto Weibel (no. 3106) was transferred to the Idaho State Sanitarium in Nampa on the recommendation of the prison physician. Thirty-six years later in 1959, the institutions superintendent attempted to return Weibel to the penitentiary stating: Ottos hearing difficulty has, no doubt, handicapped his learning to a great extent... There is nothing in this which would make him eligible for continued care at a school for a mentally deficient person. In response, the Board of Correction granted Weibel a discharge, post-dated to 1936, on the expiration of his maximum sentence.

During negotiations to deport Rebecca Chacon (no. 3044) at her own expense, federal immigration officials offered to reduce costs by not hiring a female guard, if Chacon would guarantee to make no complaint of her treatment by Immigration officers.

Seventeen-year old Lester Thompson (no. 3288, later no. 4372) set fire to the floor of the Idaho Industrial School administration building. While the Fremont county prosecutor argued that Thompson has frankly confessed his faults and there is, of course, a chance for reformation, prison intake records classed him as a criminal type because of the shape of his ears (being small and close to head).

While at home in Emmett on parole, Sam Galdus (no. 2928) received a curt letter admitting that the penitentiary had failed to inform him that he had been released under expiration of sentence seven months earlier: The Attorney General called us up and requested that we write you. So you are Free. Very truly yours, WARDEN.

Lee Ross (no. 2402) was convicted of burglary, and his father (Daniel Ross no. 2401), brother (J D Ross no. 2403), and stepmother (Mamie Ross no. 2404) of receiving stolen property, thus, reportedly, bringing an end to a string of burglaries in Albion, Marshfield, and surrounding areas of Cassia county. Mamie Ross was pardoned 10 months later, so that she could care for her infant child.

xix


1932

1931

1930

1929

1928

1927

1926

1925

1924

1933

Petitioners for the release of John Starr (no. 3357) reportedly included the Biggest business man in Emmett, an Old timer, the Secretary of the Last Chance Ditch Company, the First white child born in Boise and early settler in Payette Valley, and the Editor of the Emmett Index, who says that he never heretofore signed a petition for pardon, though he has many times been asked to do so.

Anthony Zepina (no. 3358) entrusted his watch fob to the warden for safekeeping, along with instructions that he should be buried with it were he to die here. Zepina asked that his watch and money be sent to an orphan in Jugo Slavia and his clothing and shoes given to some american poor man. Zepina was paroled a few months later without his watch fob having been returned to him.

On his intake form, Spanish immigrant Paul Arruti (no. 3589) listed his nearest relative as the Merino Pool Hall in Boise. The prosecuting attorney noted that Arrutis associates seem to be of good average character, except as Arruti became Americanized he was occasionally thrown in contact with the jazz class.

Forger John Doucas (no. 3206) violated his parole and was arrested in Chicago after being sought by the California Bankers Association, American Bankers Association, and the William J Burns International Detective Agency. Doucas was killed at the State Prison at Folsom while attempting to escape in 1927.Thomas OHaras (no. 3039) letter to warden William Cuddy

addressed as Old Chap from a Chicago jail, protested that he was unable to obtain employment, the Young Mens Christian Association (YMCA) had taken his card away, the I.W.W. I fought for dont know me now, and that he was being harassed by the Brutal Cops. The new warden, Joseph Wheeler, replied that despite OHaras yeoman service... in trying to establish the rule of the proletariat, OHara would not be allowed to return to Idaho because while here you acted very much like an ingrate, finding fault and carping criticism with the cuisine service and other appointments.

To a letter from Albert Workmans (no. 3814) wife, warden Wheeler replied: ...tone down your letters... Your husband will be embarrassed and it is natural that such letters belittles him and makes it appear to us that he comes from a very tough, immoral environment and it lessens his chances. So be fair to your husband and if you find it impossible to write decently, just omit writing.

The Lewis County sheriff reported that John Ross (no. 4131) went through the walls of our jail building on Mon. night while awaiting trial. The prosecuting attorney claimed Ross had said he would give up the criminal life only because it does not pay. He was later (1941) killed as a prowler in Tulsa. Ross unidentified body was reported to the FBI as an Unknown Dead Man.

Burel McCall (no. 4211) was convicted of possession of liquor after crashing his car into a gasoline pump and later on a side road, and entering a strangers home in Garden Gulch, near Culdesac, where he demolished all of the furniture in the house, broke out all thirteen windows, and set fire to an out building.

Commodore Perry Sam (no. 3344) wrote letters of petition to the governor, a prosecuting attorney, a district judge, a Bannock county commissioner, and Chief Satan aka that unsuspected Spirit of the living, care of the secretary of state.

During the trial of James ONeil (no. 4448), a witness provided the court with a recipe and proportions for making a little home brew of lemon, sugar, water, yeast, and potatoes called Snake River Special: Q. What kind of drink would that be after you got it made. A. Real nice drink. Q. Real nice drink, was it. A. Yes, sir. Q. Have you got any Snake River Special on hands at the present time. A. I have not, but I wish I had. Prohibition ended two years later, in 1933.

After his prison sentence was commuted to time in the Bannock county jail, Leo Lucero (no. 4399) attempted an escape with Charley Cornish (no. 4403) and Leroy Meyers (no. 4405), with the aid of Rulon Wilson (no. 4610). The four men used hack saw blades and a bottle of acid to cut a hole in the floor and through the window bars. All three were sent to the penitentiary for the attempt.

Victor Chacons (no. 4379) pardon application reflected on 1,000 years of Mayo (Yoreme) history in the Americas, where my People number about 14,000 Soules, my Father is one the Chiefs of his People, we are an Independent Tribe enjoying full Tribal Rule...

Lester Thompsons (no. 4372) second incarceration ended four years with a Pocatello baseball team, the colored Giants. According to the prosecutor, Thompsons father was a rodeo rider and was killed in Montana a year or two ago; his mother maintained a reputation as a fine woman with a quite respected family.


xx

1940

1939

1938

1937

1936

1935

1934

1933

1932

1941

Paul Rushtons (no. 4260) mother wrote to the governor and warden requesting that if they received any inquiries about Rushton (released a few months earlier) will you please pretend he hadnt been there. As Mr Rushton my husband is running for Sheriff, best for folks not know things. Paul Rushton was killed while robbing a bank in Bozeman the same year.

David Minton (no. 4669 and 3988) accused nine prison staff (including two wardens) of misappropriating prison supplies for personal gain and complained about lax security at the womens ward. On this occasion, his eighth incarceration, Minton was doing time for assisting Lyda Southard (no. 3052) to escape in 1931.

Within two months, William Shaffer (no. 5123) robbed the Linder Service Station, Ustick Mercantile Store, and, on the same day, the Twin Bridges Grocery and Lords Brothers Grocery, while driving three different borrowed cars. During his last two robberies, Shaffer was foiled by the stores armed proprietors and was arrested a few hours later. The prosecuting attorney called him one of the toughest men sentenced to the penitentiary for some time, in Idaho.

On providing him with a recommendation to the Board of Pardons, the 11th District judge wrote to Harry Martens (no. 5162): You have too much good stuff in you to be a damned crook. Get that girl out here with you and, in this new land, go to batting straight to first. I have taken a good many chances with men like you, and have had seldom to look like a sheep for so doing. Now By God! See to it that you dont throw me down.

Joy Louise De Cheverieux (no. 5341) was convicted of highway robbery outside McCammon while hitchhiking from Rock Springs. Described as transient, De Cheverieuxs record indicated she had been shot once in the leg and had been held by police in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, as incorrigible. De Cheverieux climbed over the prison wall with Marjorie Bess (no. 5463) in a 1937 escape attempt.

Luella Yates (no. 5444) shot a neighbor who, Yates claimed, had threatened her on three occasions: He fell 14 feet inside of our yard, and 231 feet inside our property. Ten jurors later signed a petition on her behalf, one stating, I never did think you guilty, when I was on the jury, but expected you to be paroled with the verdict we turned in. Thought that it would be better than waiting for another trial.

The Gooding County prosecutor advised the warden to use his authority under the 1925 Eugenics law (HB 203) and as a member of the Eugenics Board to sterilize Harvey Pettingill (no. 5455), whose father and brother-in-law were also incarcerated for serious crimes. In a report to his Oregon parole officer in 1944, Pettingill said, I dont think people want to know me.

Timple Allen (no. 5740) broke into Brattons Department store in Lewiston through a ventilating opening too small to get back out of. Allen fell asleep behind a counter. When the employees of the store opened up they found him asleep, called an officer, who placed handcuffs on him and then woke him up.

Melvin Yeager (no. 6240) forged a check for $10.00 in order to purchase a washing machine for his wife, and spent 18 months inside for the offense.

Former inmates Edgar Pruett (no. 5658), William Rector (no. 5028 and 5723), and Lonnie Walling (no. 4592 and 5049) broke out of the Pocatello jail and launched a crime wave in two states. The three were brought in from Las Vegas by a penitentiary guard, the Gooding County sheriff, and a Las Vegas deputy.

Inquiring about his parole in Washington state, forger John Abel (no. 6108) found himself termed like Hitler... a lousy paper hanger... Possibly by cementing a pair of boxing gloves on you backwards, you could be kept out of prison for a day or two. You would beat this arrangement however, by learning to handle a fountain pen with your teeth or your toes... Respectfully, W. B. Coffey, Chief State Parole and Probation Officer.

xxi


1947

1946

1945

1944

1943

1942

1941

W J Lamme (no. 6064) was arrested in Minnesota a few months after his release from Idaho. A Minnesota attorney wrote to the penitentiary, reporting on Lammes recent suicide attempt and asking whether Lamme showed any tendency toward moroseness while he was in custody in your State. I think it is due to the fact that he had not been able to escape from our jail, when captured he had saws in the souls of his shoes. The attorney went on to acknowledge cheerily the stresses of wartime shortages: Fishing in Minnesota has been good but because of tires, I have not been fishing every Sunday this year.

James Erard (no. 7018) began accepting commissions for oil paintings from the general public. Erard, who was incarcerated for burglary for stealing bottle of perfume and a pair of driving glasses from a hotel room, was responsible for painting a mural in the penitentiary chapel.

John Allies (no. 6998) mother in Ohio sent him approximately $323 dollars, most in two- and five-dollar increments, between 1946 and 1950. Two months before his release in 1951, Allies mother sent one check for $82.

On his prison intake forms, Gerald Cline (no. 7113) listed his occupation as tattoo artist and the clerk recorded 22 tattoos on Clines Bertillon chart; one is clearly visible in Clines mug shot.

Clarence Kristiansen (no. 6870) was convicted of manslaughter after he drank an undisclosed quantity of beer and hard liquor and, en route to his duty station at the Marsing Prisoner of War Camp in an army one half (1/2) ton reconstructed truck, struck a group of children on horseback. Kristiansen, a Silver- and Bronze-Star decorated veteran of Monte Casino and Anzio, was pardoned after nine months in prison.

The Board of Correction ceased to grants pardon without proof of innocence. In the case of David Gemmell (no. 3517), who in 1963 requested a pardon for his 1925 incarceration so that he might pursue citizenship, the board could not be persuaded otherwise by the considerations of humanitarianism put forward by the governor.

Tom Takahaski (no. 2847), who had been resident in the United States since 1918 and spent time in the penitentiary in 1920-1922, was subject to investigation as an enemy alien one month after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Three days after Pearl Harbor, James Hawkins (no. 6210) organized a letter signed by 99 inmates and sent to local newspapers. Hawkins and company offered their services for National defense, arguing Tho in prison, we consider ourselves Americans first and after that, as you may. As such, we count ourselves chips from the same old block: Our county, Right or Wrong, Our Country! ... May America give its wayward men a chance to redeem themselves in this present war.


xxii

GLOSSARYTO CROSS-REFERENCED COLLECTIONS

AR1 / 20042718 / 93 Report of the Territorial Prison Commissioner 1865

AR1 / 20042718 / 95 First Biennial Report of the Territorial Prison Commissioner (Boise : James Reynolds, 1868)

AR1 / 20042718 / 97 Report of the Territorial Prison Commissioner for the Years 1871 and 1872 (Boise : Milton Kelly, 1873)

AR1 / 20042721 Requests for Pardon

AR1 / 20072453 List of Prisoners in Idaho Penitentiary 1878-1884

AR1 /1/ 20042790 / 3 Pardons and Requisitions Book A 1870-1876 (series 1, folio 3)

AR1 /1/ 20042791 / 9 Register of Applications for Pardons A 1887-1890 (series 1, folio 9)

AR1 /1/ 20042792 / 6 Pardons and Requisitions Book B 1876-1881 (series 1, folio 6)

AR3 / 20031010 Requests for Extradition 1863-1892

AR3 / 20072458 11th Census of the United States (1890) Statistics of Crime, Special Prison and Reformatory Schedule

AR5 / 20033351 /2/ 1915-1937

Report of Audit and Examination of the State Asylum and Sanitarium Fund, 16 March 1915 to 5 May 1937 (box 2, folio 1915-1937)

AR5 / 20033351 /2/ 1937-1938

Report of Audit and Examination of the State Asylum and Sanitarium Fund, 6 May 1937 to 30 June 1938 (box 2, folio 1937-1938)

AR42 / 20072454 Register of Prisoners 1880-1893

AR42 / 20072455 US Penitentiary Boise City Convict Record 1878-1893

AR42 / 20072470 Convict Register 1 Idaho State Penitentiary Boise Idaho 1884-1917


AR42 / 20072486 Microfilm: Idaho Penitentiary Inmate Records (incomplete) c1880-1897, Box 1

AR42 / 20072505 Microfilm: Idaho Penitentiary Inmate Records (incomplete), nos 550 to 1057, Box 2


AR42 / 20072517 Alphabetical Index of names in Idaho State Penitentiary Registers 1 through 6, 1884-1984

AR42 / 20072518 Punishment Record Idaho State Penitentiary 1886-1936

AR42 /2/ 20072461 /6/ 2 Reports of Territorial Prisoners Confined 1876-1879 (series 2, box 6, file 2)

AR42 /2/ 20072497 / 23 Out of State Identification Wanted Circulars and Mug Shots 1870s-1940s (series 2, box 23)

AR42 /3/ 20072462 /18/ 1 General penitentiary correspondence (series 3, box 18, file 1)

AR42 /3/ 20072496 /1/ 1 Reports of the Territorial Prison Commissioner 1865, 1866, 1868 (series 3, box 1, file 1)

AR42 /6/ 20072459 / 4 US Penitentiary Punishment Record 1878-1893 (series 6, folio 4)

AR200 / 19973478 Prison Record Alturas County Idaho 1882-1899

AR201 / 20017337 / 1 Register of Prisoners Confined in the County Jail of Kootenai County 1890-1904

AR202 / 20051007 Ada County Criminal Register No 1, 1865-1885

AR202 / 20072481 Ada County Criminal Record, pages 333 to 450, August 1924 to April 1925

AR205 / 20040807 / 5 List of Territorial and County Prisoners 1865

AR243 / 20019403 Register of Prisoners Confined in the County Jail of Oneida 1885-1913

SpcCol KFI18.A3 1866-1867

Report of the Territorial Prison Commissioner 1866 in Journal of the Fourth Session of the Council of the Idaho Territory (Boise : Idaho Statesman Publishing Company Printers, 1867) pp451-4. Also published in the Owyhee Avalanche (29 December 1866)

SpcCol KFI18.A3 1870-1871

Report of the Territorial Prison Commissioner 1869-1870 (Boise : James S Reynolds, 1870) in Journal of the Sixth Session of the Council of Idaho Territory (Boise : James S Reynolds, 1871) appendix 7

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xxiv

CATALOGINMATES of the IDAHO PENITENTIARY 1864-1947

Collection number

Accession number

Box number

File number

File: AR42 / 20072408 / 1006.2-4 / 883

883 Land, William MFile: AR42 / 20072408 / 1006.2-4 / 883Year: 1902 Approx. age: 22 Born: circa 1880Jurisdiction: Ada CountyCrime: ForgeryNotes: Includes photographic material.

AR42/20072470/p176

Inmates register number

Surname, given name(s) and aliases (if any)

Collection number, used to cite or request files

Year of birth (often estimated by age)

Age at incarceration (often estimated by year of birth)

Year of incarcerationCounty or judicial district (eg, United States) where

inmate was convictedReason for incarceration

Cross-references to other Society collections, along with file notes

The following pages are arranged in chronological order, by register number, and for inmates who were not assigned register numbers, by surname within the year of their incarceration.

UN indicates an inmate without a register number

[...] indicates a surname or given name is not known

Asian names are listed without reference to surname, for example: [...], On Gow

Unnumbered inmates are cited as:UN 1876 Henderson

Designation Year Name

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UN [...], [...]File: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1864 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Nez Perce CountyCrime: Held for trial (murder)Notes: Golden Age (Lewiston) (19 November

1864)

UN Goodwin, GeorgeFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1864 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Idaho CountyCrime: Grand larceny or robberyNotes: Convicted with H Wilson and George

Brown; AR1/20042721; San Francisco Bulletin (11 August 1864); North-Idaho Radiator (4 March 1865); Golden Age (Lewiston) (19 November 1864)

UN Owens, George aka Owen, GeorgeFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1864 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Murder in the 2nd degreeNotes: Idaho Weekly (4 June 1864); Boise News

(5 March 1864); Idaho World supplement (29 April 1865); AR1/20042721; AR205/20040807/5 (2nd Judicial District); AR42//20072496/1/1; AR1/20042718/9; SpcCol KFI18.A 1866-1867

UN Rich, JosephFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1864 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: AR205/20040807/5; AR1/20042718/9;

Idaho Statesman (21 September 1865); Idaho World supplement (29 April 1865)

UN Richardson, E HFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1864 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Assault with intent to murderNotes: AR42//20072496/1/1;

AR1/20042718/9; Boise News (28 May 1864); Idaho World supplement (29 April 1865)

UN Roberts, JosiahFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1864 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: AR205/20040807/5;

AR42//20072496/1/1; AR1/20042718/9; Idaho World supplement (29 April 1865)

UN Willey, Elijah aka Willey, ElijaFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1864 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Murder in the 2nd degreeNotes: AR205/20040807/5; AR1/20042721;

AR42//20072496/1/1; AR1/20042718/9; SpcCol KFI18.A 1866-1867; Idaho Statesman (20 May 1865); Boise News (5 March 1864); Idaho World supplement (29 April 1865)

UN Wilson, Charles WFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1864 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: Died in prison 8 August 1866; Boise News

(5 March 1864); AR205/20040807/5; AR1/20042721; AR42//20072496/1/1; AR1/20042718/9; SpcCol KFI18.A 1866-1867

UN Wilson, JackFile: AR42 / 2006165 / 1014.1-1 / UNYear: 1864 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Idaho CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: Possibly aka H Wilson, convicted with

George Goodwin and George Brown; San Francisco Bulletin (11 August 1864); North-Idaho Radiator (4 March 1865); Golden Age (Lewiston) (19 November 1864)

UN Clavero, Manuel aka Claraveno, ManuelFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1865 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: [...]Crime: Highway robbery or grand larcenyNotes: Escaped after conviction but

before sentencing in August 1865; AR42//20072496/1/1; AR1/20042718/9; Idaho Statesman (9 April 1867); San Francisco Bulletin (2 August 1865)

UN Gilmore, John aka GillmoreFile: AR42 / 2006165 / 1014.1-1 / UNYear: 1865 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Murder in the 2nd degreeNotes: Idaho Statesman (10 August 1865);

Owyhee Avalanche (19 August 1865); Idaho World supplement (29 April 1865); AR1/20042718/95; AR205/20040807/5; AR1/20042721; AR42//20072496/1/1; AR1/20042718/9; SpcCol KFI18.A 1866-1867

UN Leonard, Delevan aka Leonard, DelavanFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1865 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Owyhee CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: AR205/20040807/5;

AR42//20072496/1/1; AR1/20042718/9

UN Omesdale, Gus aka Olensdale, Gustave; Armsdale, GusFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1865 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Murder in the 2nd degreeNotes: Committed for life; escaped September

1866; Idaho Statesman (9 September 1865; 9 April 1867); Idaho World (6 April 1865); AR42//20072496/1/1; AR1/20042718/9; SpcCol KFI18.A 1866-1867; AR205/20040807/5

UN Severson, Andrew aka Severton, AndrewFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1865 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: AR1/20042721; AR42//20072496/1/1;

SpcCol KFI18.A 1866-1867

UN Spencer, WilliamFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1865 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: Escaped November 1865;

AR42//20072496/1/1; AR1/20042718/9; AR205/20040807/5

UN Stanton, John aka Stannton, JohnFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1865 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: AR1/20042721; AR42//20072496/1/1;

AR1/20042718/9; SpcCol KFI18.A 1866-1867; Idaho Statesman (10 August 1865); AR205/20040807/5

UN Steinbach, DanielFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1865 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Assault with a deadly weaponNotes: Confined in lieu of monetary fine;

AR1/20042721

UN Wilson, ThomasFile: AR42 / 2006165 / 1014.1-1 / UNYear: 1865 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: Idaho Statesman (10 August

1865; 5 March; 9 April 1867); AR205/20040807/5; AR42//20072496/1/1; AR1/20042718/9

UN [...], Nine PipesFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1866 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Nez Perce CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: Idaho Statesman (8 December 1866)

UN [...], Wish-ta-kus-minFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1866 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Nez Perce CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: Idaho Statesman (8 December 1866)

UN Boley, Victor aka Bowley, VictorFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1866 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Ada CountyCrime: MurderNotes: Idaho Statesman (1 May 1866; 9

April 1867); Owyhee Avalanche (1 April; 27 April 1867); People v Bowly AR202/2002244/4/0; Crutchen v Cram AR1/20042724/2/29; AR1/20042718/95; AR1/20042721; AR202/20051007/p4; AR42//20072496/1/1; SpcCol KFI18.A 1866-1867

UN Deal, Michael aka Dial, MichaelFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1866 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Ada CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: Escaped April 1867; Owyhee

Avalanche (1 April; 27 April 1867); AR42//20072496/1/1; AR1/20042718/95; AR202/20051007/p8; SpcCol KFI18.A 1866-1867

UN Kurtz, Hiram aka Kurtz, Hyram; Curts, HiramFile: AR42 / 2006165 / 1014.1-1 / UNYear: 1866 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Murder in the 1st degreeNotes: Idaho Statesman (9 April 1867; 18

June 1868); Owyhee Avalanche (2 December 1865; 1 April; 27 April 1867); Crutchen v Cram AR1/20042724/2/29; AR1/20042718/95; AR42//20072496/1/1; SpcCol KFI18.A 1866-1867

UN House, James MFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1865 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Owyhee CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: AR205/20040807/5; AR1/20042721;

AR42//20072496/1/1; AR1/20042718/9; SpcCol KFI18.A 1866-1867


4

UN Slocum, AlfredFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1866 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Held for trial (embezzlement)Notes: Idaho Statesman (18 January; 7 July; 24

July 1866; 9 April 1867)

UN [...], Ah Lee aka [...], Ah SeeFile: AR42 / 2006165 / 1014.1-1 / UNYear: 1867 Approx. age: 46 Born: circa 1821Jurisdiction: Ada CountyCrime: RobberyNotes: Idaho Statesman (18 June 1868);

AR1/20042718/95; AR1/20042721; AR1/1/20042790//p9; 1870 Census (Idaho City, Boise County, Schedule 1:21); AR202/20051007/pp66-7; AR42//20072496/1/1; SpcCol KFI18.A 1870-1871; People v Ah You AR202/2002241/1/9,40

UN [...], Ah SinFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1867 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Owyhee CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: AR1/20042718/95;

AR42//20072496/1/1; Idaho Statesman (22 October 1867)

UN [...], Ah Yon aka [...], Ah YouFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1867 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Owyhee CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: AR1/20042718/95;

AR42//20072496/1/1; Idaho Statesman (22 October 1867; 18 June 1868)

UN [...], Ah Yon aka [...], Ah YouFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1867 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Ada CountyCrime: RobberyNotes: Escaped June 1868; People v Ah

You AR202/2002241/1/9,40; AR1/20042718/95; AR1/20042721; AR202/20051007/pp66-7; AR42//20072496/1/1; Idaho Statesman (18 June 1868)

UN Bradley, JohnFile: AR42 / 2006165 / 1014.1-1 / UNYear: 1867 Approx. age: 21 Born: circa 1846Jurisdiction: Owyhee CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: Wounded following escape attempt 1870;

Owyhee Avalanche (0 July 1870; 4 March 1871); Idaho Statesman (22 October 1867; 18 June 1868; 2 July 1870); AR1/20042718/95; AR1/20042721; AR1/1/20042790//p29; 1870 Census (Idaho City, Boise County, Schedule 1:21); AR42//20072496/1/1; SpcCol KFI18.A 1870-1871

UN Cozad, J DFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1867 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: AssaultNotes: Related case (no. UN 1867

Nash); AR1/20042718/95; AR42//20072496/1/1; Owyhee Avalanche (20 July 1867); Idaho Statesman (25 July 1867)

UN Crossen, BernardFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1867 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: ManslaughterNotes: AR1/20042718/95;

AR42//20072496/1/1

UN Dunn, Michael aka Dunne, MichaelFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1867 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: MurderNotes: Escaped April 1867, killed during

recapture; Idaho Statesman (17 May; 10 July 1866; 2; 2 March; 5 March; 9 April 1867); Owyhee Avalanche (1 April; 27 April 1867); AR42//20072496/1/1; AR1/20042718/95; AR1/20042721; Crutchen v Cram AR1/20042724/2/29

UN Finnegan, John aka Finnigan, JohnFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1867 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Counterfeiting (bugus gold dust)Notes: AR1/20042718/95; AR1/20042721;

AR42//20072496/1/1; SpcCol KFI18.A 1870-1871; Idaho Statesman (25 July 1867; 18 June 1868); Owyhee Avalanche (20 July 1867)

UN McCormac, Daniel aka McCormack, DanFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1867 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Ada CountyCrime: AssaultNotes: Idaho Statesman ( December

1867; 18 June 1868); People v McCormick AR202/2002261/21/4; AR1/20042718/95; AR202/20051007/p76; AR42//20072496/1/1

UN Meyer, FrankFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1867 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: AR1/20042718/95;

AR42//20072496/1/1

UN Nash, A J aka Duncan, [...]; Mrs A J Nash; Mrs N J NashFile: AR42 / 2006165 / 1014.1-1 / UNYear: 1867 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Assault (resisting an executive officer)Notes: Related case (no. UN 1867 Cozad);

AR1/20042718/95; People v Nash (Supreme Court) AR1/2004272/1; AR42//20072496/1/1; Owyhee Avalanche (20 July 1867)

UN Page, John C aka Paige, Jonathan CFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1867 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Ada CountyCrime: Counterfeiting (bugus gold dust) (first term)Notes: Idaho Statesman (20 November; 17

December; 20 December 1866; 7 February 1867) ; Owyhee Avalanche (20 July 1867); People v Page AR202/2002265/25/2; AR1/20042718/95; AR1/20042721; AR1/1/20042790//p9; AR42//20072496/1/1; SpcCol KFI18.A 1870-1871

UN Page, John C aka Paige, Jonathan CFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1867 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Counterfeiting (bugus gold dust) (second

term)Notes: Owyhee Avalanche (5 March 1870; 19

August 1871) 2; Idaho Statesman (18 June 1868; 1 January 1867; 26 February 1870); AR1/20042718/95; AR1/20042721; AR42//20072496/1/1

UN Sing, Jim aka [...], Jun SingFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1867 Approx. age: 22 Born: circa 1845Jurisdiction: Ada CountyCrime: RobberyNotes: Idaho Statesman (18 June 1868);

AR1/20042718/95; AR1/20042721; AR1/1/20042790//p27; 1870 Census (Idaho City, Boise County, Schedule 1:21); AR202/20051007/pp66-7; AR42//20072496/1/1; SpcCol KFI18.A 1870-1871; People v Ah You AR202/2002241/1/9,40

UN Smith, M L aka Smith, M SFile: AR42 / 2006165 / 1014.1-1 / UNYear: 1867 Approx. age: 0 Born: circa 187Jurisdiction: Owyhee CountyCrime: ArsonNotes: Owyhee Avalanche (5 June 1869; 6 May

1871); Idaho Statesman (22 October; 26 October 1867; 18 June 1868); AR1/20042718/95; AR1/20042721; AR1/1/20042790//p1; 1870 Census (Idaho City, Boise County, Schedule 1:21); AR42//20072496/1/1; SpcCol KFI18.A 1870-1871

UN [...], Ah LienFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1868 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: [...]Crime:Notes: AR1/20042718/95

UN Butler, JohnFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1868 Approx. age: 22 Born: circa 1846Jurisdiction: Ada CountyCrime: RobberyNotes: Escaped with no. UN 1868 Stock, in 1870;

People v Butler AR202/2002246/6/11; AR/2001010/Stock; Owyhee Avalanche (19 November 1870) 2; 1870 Census (Idaho City, Boise County, Schedule 1:21); AR202/20051007/pp112-; SpcCol KFI18.A 1870-1871

UN Gillespie, A AFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1868 Approx. age: 0 Born: circa 188Jurisdiction: Ada CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: People v Gillespie

AR202/200225/1/21; AR1/20042721; AR1/1/20042790//p19; 1870 Census (Idaho City, Boise County, Schedule 1:21); AR202/20051007/p120; SpcCol KFI18.A 1870-1871

UN Hepworth, John HFile: AR42 / 2006165 / 1014.1-1 / UNYear: 1868 Approx. age: 28 Born: circa 1840Jurisdiction: Owyhee CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: Owyhee Avalanche ( December 1870)

2; AR1/20042718/95; AR1/20042721; AR1/1/20042790//p24-5; 1870 Census (Idaho City, Boise County, Schedule 1:21); AR42//20072496/1/1; SpcCol KFI18.A 1870-1871

UN OBrian, James aka OBrien, JamesFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1868 Approx. age: 28 Born: circa 1840Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: Escaped with no. UN 1868 Stock, in 1870;

AR/2001010/Stock; Owyhee Avalanche (19 November 1870) 2; AR1/20042718/95; 1870 Census (Idaho City, Boise County, Schedule 1:21); AR42//20072496/1/1; SpcCol KFI18.A 1870-1871; AR/2001010

5


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UN Williams, John aka Burke, JohnFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1868 Approx. age: 24 Born: circa 1844Jurisdiction: Owyhee CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: Owyhee Avalanche (0 July 1870)

4; AR1/20042718/95; possibly held for trial (murder) at Idaho City 1865, AR205/20040807/5; 1870 Census (Idaho City, Boise County, Schedule 1:21); AR42//20072496/1/1; SpcCol KFI18.A 1870-1871

UN [...], Ah Foon aka [...], Ah HoonFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1869 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Assault with intent to murderNotes: Escaped with no. UN 1868 Stock, in 1870;

AR/2001010/Stock; Owyhee Avalanche (19 November 1870) 2; AR1/20042718/97; SpcCol KFI18.A 1870-1871

UN [...], Ah HanFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1869 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Boise CountyCrime: Assault with intent to murderNotes: AR1/20042721

UN Freeman, JamesFile: AR42 / 2006165 / 1014.1-1 / UNYear: 1869 Approx. age: 4 Born: circa 185Jurisdiction: Owyhee CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: Owyhee Avalanche (10 July; 24 July

1869; 11 March; 10 June 1871); AR1/1/20042790//p7; 1870 Census (Idaho City, Boise County, Schedule 1:21); AR5/20051/2/1915-197/p2; SpcCol KFI18.A 1870-1871

UN Ginder, AlexanderFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1869 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Ada CountyCrime: RobberyNotes: People v Ginder AR202/200225/1/8;

related material in no. UN 1869 Reed; Owyhee Avalanche (26 March 1870) ; Idaho Statesman (24 March 1870) ; AR1/20042721; AR1/1/20042790//p1; AR202/20051007/p1; SpcCol KFI18.A 1870-1871

UN Lands, John aka Landes, John; Sands, JohnFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1869 Approx. age: 41 Born: circa 1828Jurisdiction: Ada CountyCrime: Grand larcenyNotes: People v Sands AR202/2002260/28/20;

escaped with no. UN 1868 Stock, in 1870; AR/2001010/Stock; Owyhee Avalanche (19 November 1870) 2; SpcCol KFI18.A 1870-1871; 1870 Census (Idaho City, Boise County, Schedule 1:21); AR202/20051007/p10

UN Maize, Henry B aka Maize, BartFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1869 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Owyhee CountyCrime: ManslaughterNotes: Pardoned 1870; Owyhee Avalanche (27

November 1869; 26 March; 2 April 1870); Idaho Statesman (24; 1 March 1870); AR1/1/20042790//p11; SpcCol KFI18.A 1870-1871; Weekly Arizona Miner (14 May 1875)

UN Reed, Andrew Jackson aka Reese, Andrew JFile: Collection reference / See notes / UNYear: 1869 Approx. age: Born: circa Jurisdiction: Ada CountyCrime: Robbery or grand larcenyNotes: People v Reed AR202/2002266/26/8;

consolidated material in no. UN 1869 Ginder; Owyhee Avalanche (26 March; 2 April 1870); Idaho Statesman (24 March; 1 March 1870); AR1/20042721; AR1

inmates of the idaho penitentiary 1864-1947

Documents