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There was a relative that was involved in an altercation in Deadwood and there also was a court hearing which at this time I do not know the results. I was wondering if Frank McGovern was an inmate and if South Dakota sent prisoners to This Territorial Prison. I understand there may have been a Terrance McGovern incarcerated there. The dates would be late 1878 or later.
Dennis
Hi Dennis,
We do not have record of a Frank McGovern ever being at the Territorial Prison. It may have been possible that Frank was sent to Nebraska. I would check with their historical society. We did have a Terrance McGovern who was incarcerated at our prison from February 17, 1892 to February 16, 1893. His crime was petty thievery in second offense out of Laramie county and he was 29. If you need further information do not hesitate to contact us.
Thank you,
Renee Slider
Dear Sir/Madam
I am trying to find out information about a prisoner named Frank Zaloudek who was said to have been sent to the prison in December 1885 for horse theft. Can you please advise how I could obtain his prison record and all available details please? Were their prison mug shots at that time?
Thank you
Peter Brand
Australia
I was wondering if your records show “Dutch Charlie” (Charley) Burris or Bates housed in the Territorial Prison between Dec. 31, 1878 and Jan. 8, 1879.
“Arrested in Green River and sent to the Territorial Prison in Laramie.”
Hello Bob,
According to the “Atlas of Wyoming Outlaws at the Territorial Penitentiary”, it cannot be proved that “Dutch Charley” was definitely held at the Prison here. Since he was a Territorial prisoner, he may have been held for safekeeping at the Albany County Jail. Sadly, the monthly reports for this time period (December 1878 – Jan. 1879) are not available.
I’m writing a story that involves the Wyoming Territorial Prison to some degree. I took a lot of photographs last time I was there, but failed to take note of the actual lay out of the main building and cell blocks. Are there any floor plans available for use or sale?
Thank you for any help you can give to me for my family genealogy researching.
Patricia (Patty) Onek
I am researching the name of May Preston Slossum, In 1900 World Wide Magazine there was a photo of her with a caption.. It said, ” A Lady Prison Chaplain”, by Rudolph De Cordova.
Can you guide me to some sites with more informaion?
Thank you for your time and effort!!
Patty Onek
Hello Patty,
There isn’t a lot of information on other sites related to Dr. May Preston Slosson, who was the first female prison chaplain in the United States Prison System. She was also the first woman to graduate with a Ph.D. from Cornell University. She held the Chaplaincy here at the prison from 1899 to the prison’s closing in 1903. She was instrumental in bringing reform to the prison; she held counciling sessions with the prisoners, wrote letters home on their behalf, and invited every pardoned man to her house for a home-cooked meal once they were released. The Wyoming Territorial Prison has several documents and photographs in our archives related to the life and work of Dr. Slosson and we will open a new exhibit on her time at the Wyoming Territorial Prison in May of 2014. If you have any further questions, please contact our curator, Katie Keckeisen, at katie.keckeisen@wyo.gov. Thank you for your interest in the Wyoming Territorial Prison.
Thank you so much for the information and help!!
Patty onek
I am researching a prisoner named William Wilcox. He served two terms at the prison from 1893 to 1897. During his time there he learned portrait painting and allegedly painted a portrait of the Warden’s daughter. I am wondering if this portrait is still in existence and if it would be possible to obtain a photo of the painting. Also I understand that he also built a model sailing ship.
Thank you for any information you may have.
Bob,
William Wilcox was a prisoner here twice: once from 1893 to 1896 for burglary and again from 1897 to 1898 for forgery. During one of these stays, he did paint the portraits of Lessee James Marsh’s family members. The portraits of his son and daughter are currently on display in the Warden’s House. He also constructed a model clipper ship that we also have on exhibit in our Broom Factory. If you would like photos of any of these objects, please contact our curator, Katie Keckeisen, at katie.keckeisen@wyo.gov for more information. Thank you for your interest in the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site.
I’m looking for information in regard to William Sherrill. The October 13, 1893 issue of the Cheyenne Daily Suns says that he was was sent to the penitentiary for five years for stealing horses. Many thanks for checking your records.
Peggy-
It appears we never housed a convict by that name here at the Wyoming Territorial Prison, or at least no one who gave his name as William Sherrill. If we find anything in the future, we will certainly let you know. Thank you for your interest in the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site.
I took a gun in trade with an authentic looking brass placard on the butt stock that says: Property No. 190, Wyoming Territory Prison Authority. It is a double barreled 12 gauge made in Belgium. I was wondering if there are records that would support the claim.
Matthew-
We would love to see pictures of this item. This will help us to identify whether there is any credibility to the claim that it is from the Wyoming Territory Prison Authority. Please e-mail any information and pictures to gary.puls@wyo.gov. Thanks!
Thank you Mary for your inquiry of Wyoming Territorial Prisoners. We do indeed have records of all
1,063 convicts that were incarcerated here at WTP from 1872 (when the prison was built) until 1903 (when the last convicts were transferred to new prison in Rawlins, WY). Unfortunately when I researched the name you gave, Alfred Jackson Conover, there was no match. However that does not mean the family stories may not be true, some of the convicts used alias names. If you find another name Alfred may have used I can research that name. Good luck in your search. – Deborah WTPSHS
Can I bother you to search for James Hickman? According to the April 8, 1881 edition of the Cheyenne Daily Sun, he was sentenced to 1 year in prison by the District Court in Rawlins. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Happy to help. Our records do not show any prison records for a James Hickman. However we do have a Harris Hickman that matches your inquiry. Harris Hickman was admitted to Wyoming Territorial Prison on April 8, 1881 – held for safekeeping for Carbon County, Wyoming until Nebraska authorities arrived to receive him. Hickman was sentenced to Nebraska State Prison and taken to Nebraska on April 12, 1881. Wyoming convict #103 – Sentenced for 1 year for Cattle Stealing in Carbon County, Wyoming. Hickman was 21 years old when sentenced. His occupation was button maker. Father listed as living in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Convict served 10 months, released on February 5, 1882 from Nebraska. Comments by processing officer: “Convict says he lived and worked for two years at Sage Creek, Wyoming.”
I’m researching ancestory for my brother-in-law. He was told a grandfather or great-grandfather (family is unsure) was in prison in Wyoming. Name Alfred Jackson Conover. Date unsure, but since he was also to be at Fort Wise, Colorado in about 1860-62. If WTP was opened in 1872, then I’m guessing his incarceration was after 1872.
Do you have any records which would go back far enough to see if Alfred Jackson Conover was in this prison?
Thank you for any information you may have.
Mary Miller