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In this episode, Samuel takes us into the courtroom where Andrew Gilbert #811 (Murder in the 2nd Degree), is tried and found guilty of stabbing another man to death. Then, Skye leads us to Montpelier, where we explore the story of the daughter of prominent pioneers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints whose reputation is challenged when a man makes promises he refuses to keep #1146 Caddie Shupe (Voluntary Manslaughter).

In this episode, Anthony shares the story of lover’s lane prowler and escape artist Ed Miles #5128 (Robbery), whose repeated run-ins with the law are matched only by his talent for slipping away, and Skye tells the story of Leola Norris #4486 (Adultery), a young mother whose husband’s imprisonment leads her to take in a boarder, a decision that changes both of their lives forever. Oral Histories: Depression Era Gangsters, The Motion Picture Division of the U.S. National Archives. Idaho State Penitentiary Guard Frank Rigby, 7/13/1992, Idaho State Archives. Herbert Hoover, Address to the Puerto Rican Legislature, March 24, 1931.

In this first-ever holiday special, Skye enchants us with the Yuletide Yeggs exploits and heists of 1947, during which Margaret #7327 (Robbery) and James Barney #7322 were arrested for a string of burglaries, including stealing presents from underneath Christmas trees. Afterward, Samuel takes us on a journey through several holidays: Thanksgiving with Butch Cassidy; Christmas Eve with Bob Meeks #574; and finally, Samuel Bruner’s #723 (Grand Larceny) New Year’s Eve escape on the legendary horse Selam.

For this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Samuel hits the trail and heads to the Selam Endurance Ride at Centerville, a 100-mile horse race held annually in tribute to the Idaho Penitentiary’s most famous horse. On August 30th, 2025, Samuel interviewed riders, veterinarians, and organizers of the event to get an in-depth look at the challenges and accomplishments behind one of the most demanding forms of horse riding—and how it all connects back to Selam, the horse used in not one but two escapes from the penitentiary. Saddle up and join us for this truly one-of-a-kind episode.

In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Samuel and Anthony sit down with Kathy Deinhardt Hill, author of THE authoritative book on Idaho’s early capital punishment, Hanged: A History of Idaho’s Executions. Kathy discusses how she researched and wrote the definitive account of Idaho’s 26 legal hangings and offers valuable advice for aspiring writers.

In this episode, Anthony shares the story of John Jurko #3416 (Murder in the 1st Degree), whose mysterious business partner spreads a rumor that leads to murder, and Skye takes us on a road trip with three women who may or may not have been part of a car-theft gang, Matilda Hatfield #2539, Ellen Pappas #2540, and Martha Chrisman #2541 (Grand Larceny).

On this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Samuel interviews Jessica Lira, Superintendent of the Ames Monument and the Wyoming Territorial Penitentiary. Jessica recounts some of the most fascinating stories from the prison’s history — including Fannie Marsh, who became warden at just nineteen years old; Butch Cassidy, who served his only prison sentence within these very walls; and the heartwarming story of Chaplain Dr. May Preston Slosson, whom the prisoners lovingly called “Little Mother.”

In this Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony and Samuel chat with writer, director, and documentarian Nik Tizekker, creator of the film Butch Cassidy’s Forgotten Outlaw. The documentary explores the life of Nik’s ancestor, Henry “Bub” Meeks (#574), a lesser-known member of the Wild Bunch but well-known resident of the Old Idaho Penitentiary. Nik discusses how he uncovered Meeks’ story and the process of interviewing family members and historians to bring it to life. To learn more or support the future feature film, visit tizasterproductions.com Watch the documentary here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v2JLTj7rHw Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0DQ9143ZR/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Butch-Cassidy-s-Forgotten-Outlaw-DVD-X4-Pictures-Documentary/15664668415?classType=REGULAR&from=%2Fsearch&sid=bf35163d-7ec2-4392-be80-669ff312355a Fandango: https://athome.fandango.com/content/browse/details/Butch-Cassidy-s-Forgotten-Outlaw/3948794 Tubi: https://tubitv.com/movies/100041556/butch-cassidy-s-forgotten-outlaw?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHskdBZvhsbohMdQ0mpPG6qm7nMScyWG_c_CVETvWBUq9Ohn9TWrsL-GvvvBE_aem_VsOjR72NBUaA-Rh3ARHMtg

In this Stool Pigeon Saturday Halloween Special, Samuel tells the dark story of the terrible chain of events in Idaho in 1928, following Ben Hamilton’s escape from an insane asylum just before Halloween.

In this live episode, recorded on March 27, 2025, at the Podfort stage at Boise Contemporary Theater during Treefort Music Festival, Anthony shares the story of Walter Lei (#7062 & #8174), a scrappy barroom brawler with a tragic connection to the Women’s Ward. Samuel breaks new ground for the podcast by telling the story from the victims’ perspective for the first time, that of Sterling Tucker and his mother, Laura Conway Tucker, a pioneering Idaho newspaper editor. Video of the episode is available on Spotify and YouTube. https://youtu.be/in4i3oTLvic

In our first episode back after a rather extended break, we’re ready to hit the ground running! First, Skye tells Anthony and Samuel about a woman whose tumultuous relationship leads to some unfortunate outcomes #8568 Zona McCollum (Assault with a Deadly Weapon), and then Samuel takes over to tell another classic Old West tale of a cowboy, stage robber, and escape artist #483 Charles Chambers (Robbery).

In this episode, Anthony, Samuel, and Skye are joined by the voices of the men and women who lived and worked at the prison to guide visitors through the site. Drawing from oral histories of wardens, chaplains, matrons, guards, and prisoners, this immersive tour brings the past to life as we lead you through the Old Idaho Penitentiary’s four-acre grounds.

In this rock-solid Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony and Samuel chip away at history with Old Pen staff member Eric Overzet, who quarries the fascinating story of the Old Pen's iconic building material - Table Rock’s sandstone.

On today’s Stool Pigeon Saturday, Anthony interviews Steve North, Old Idaho Penitentiary Volunteer and Commander of the Boise Chapter of the Forty and Eight. Steve dives into the captivating history of the Merci Train Boxcar, a symbol of gratitude from France to the United States after World War II. He shares insights about the enduring friendship between the two nations and the incredible stories of generosity and connection that emerged in the aftermath of war. For more information, pick up Boxcar Diplomacy by Jane Sweetland: https://store.history.idaho.gov/GiftShopItem.aspx?I=1526 Steve North's Captivating Conversation: https://youtu.be/kXa2hL_w9fw Jane Sweetland's Captivating Conversation: https://youtu.be/DhJmBsOO7y8 http://mercitrain.org/ https://www.fortyandeight.org Oral History: Truman, Harry S. "President Truman's Radio and Television Address Concluding a Program by the Citizens Food Committee." Delivered from the White House, Washington, D.C., October 5, 1947. National Archives Identifier (NAID) 325599790. News coverage clip provided by Jane Sweetland.

In our 99th episode (can you believe it?), Skye has an extra short story because Samuel has an extra long story! Starting with the shorter, Skye discusses a young woman whose early hard-knock life made it difficult to adjust to life as an adult #8451 Claire Reasoner (Forgery) and an Old West Yellowstone stagecoach robber whose exploits, he believed, made him the inspiration for the hero of the classic 1902 Western book, The Virginian #814 Edwin Trafton (Grand Larceny).