Episode 5: Folsom Prison Executions, #4 Through #8

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: These executions all took place within 14 months, from June of 1896 to August of 1897. Three claimed self-defense, one blamed booze, and the last one, well . . . he couldn’t wait to take his turn on the gallows. Their stories intertwine a bit—even with the first three executed men—and it simply made sense to combine them. Find out why one was called a “handsome specimen of physical manhood,” and how the oldest of the ninety-three men, at age 70, ended up on the gallows.

#4 Paulo Kamaunu; #5 John E. Howard; #6 George Washington Roberts; #7 Benito Lopez; #8 James Berry

#4 Paulo Kamaunu, June 19, 1896; Sources: Center for Sacramento History and The San Francisco Examiner, June 20, 1896 (Newspapers.com)

#5 John E. Howard, July 17, 1896; Sources: Center for Sacramento History; Personal collection

The Oregon Boot; Source: Sos.Oregon.gov

The Sunday Oregonian, December 3, 1922 (Newspapers.com)

#6 George Washington Roberts, September 4, 1896; Sources: Personal collection; Center for Sacramento History, digital collection

Miller’s Hotel, circa 1860s; James Harrison Miller, founder of Latrobe, CA. Source: Biography of James Harrison Miller, by Leslie Freeman, May 1954

#7 Benito Lopez, May 21, 1897; Sources: Folsom Prison Mug Shot Books (Ancestry.com); Personal collection

#8 James Berry, August 13, 1897; Sources: Folsom Prison Mug Shot Books (Ancestry.com) and Personal collection

Others mentioned in this episode:

Salter D. Worden; Source: Folsom Prison Mug Shot Books (Ancestry.com)

#10 John Barthelman; source: personal collection

#9 C.H. Raymond and #12 Harry Winters; source: personal collection

YOUTUBE (more photos)
INSTAGRAM
PATREON

ABOUT THIS PODCAST: Step behind the walls of Folsom Prison where author and criminal justice professional, April Moore, delves into the haunting, yet profoundly human stories of the 93 men executed between 1895 and 1937. Join us as we explore the paradoxes of justice, taking a deeper look at the death penalty, and re-humanizing those that history might have left behind. New episode every 3rd Friday of the month.

Music:

Intro: “Lamentation,” by Wastelander
“Aisling’s Rise,” by Cody Martin
“Death Root,” by Cody Martin
“Letter to You,” by Awyr
“Fleet Street,” by Stephen Keech
“The Search,” by CJ-O
“A Future With No Names,” by Stephen Keech
“Explorations,” by Gold Coast
“The Enemy Within,” by Moments
“A Love Story,” by Wicked Cinema
“It Never Ends,” by CJ-O
“Let the Games Begin,” by CJ-O
“Out West,” by Alsever Lake
“The Recovery,” by CJ-O
“L’amour Au Café,” by Reves Francais
“Retreat,” by Chelsea McGough
“The Frontier,” by Alsever Lake
“Humid Blues,” by Desert Dive
“The Wanderer,” by Third Age
“The Part Where They Got Into a Fight,” by Stephen Keech
“Veil of Secrets,” by Wicked Cinema
“The Last Straw,” by CJ Oliver
“Reverence,” by Marie
Outro: “Left for Dead,” by Wastelander

Additional sources:
Biography of James Harrison Miller
Historical Vagabond