Читать книгу Colorado Ghost Stories - Antonio Boone's Garcez - Страница 22

“I don’t believe that people should mess with the spirits that I know definitely dwell in the prison museum. I’ve read the stories that describe what people have actually experienced here, and I don’t want to mess with any of them. I believe that this building belongs to “them” and I’m just an intruder on their property. I have heard sounds in the museum, but do you think I’ll take a walk inside to investigate— no way!

I find interesting the old house that is located at the corner of the prison property. The tall, old, stone house that you pass when arriving up to the prison itself. That house was named “C” house. Years ago, the assistant to warden Roy Best, lived there. Warden Roy Best was indicted for his mistreatment of prisoners and also for financial impropriety. During the court procedures, trial and negative media coverage, the warden’s assistant assumed that he was going to be likewise implicated as was the warden, so he committed suicide and was found dead in that house. There must be paranormal activities in that house. Because of the tragic things that have taken place there, there must be.

“C” House.

John Arrata, escaped in 1878 and was never seen again.

By the way, did you happen to see, right at this museum’s entrance the gas chamber? That chamber was actually in use until just a few years ago. It’s an unusual artifact that strongly attracts our visitor’s curiosity. Kind of spooky, wouldn’t you say?

George Witherall sentenced from Douglas County for killing a sheep-herder. He escaped in 1874. His escape likely caused warden Anson Rudd his job, though the warden was likely not to blame. The tools used in the escape were apparently hidden during the time of the previous warden’s time in office. Witherall was caught and returned to prison, though in for murder, his sentence was commuted by the governor and released. Witherall was traveling from Pueblo to Canyon City with a man and wagon, Witherall killed and robbed the man and took the man’s wagon to Denver. He was then caught and returned to a city jail. That evening a small group of men took him from the jail at First and Greenwood streets, and hung him from a telephone pole at First and Main Street. Notice that in his haste to dress, he placed his own shoes on the wrong feet!

From 1933 until 1992, gas was the method of execution. During this 59-year time span,

32 inmates were executed in the gas chamber. The last execution by gas in Colorado was in 1967; the prisoner was Luis Monge. The execution took place on June 2, 1967. In 1992, lethal injection became the method of execution in Colorado.

Antonne Woode was the youngest inmate. At the age of 11, he was charged with murdering his neighbor in a dispute over a gold watch.

Today, the actual state prison is still in operation, housing over 800 inmates. It’s located right beside this museum. Just take a look, you can see over in that direction, behind that high stone wall that separates the museum property, that wall, behind it is the working prison. At this very moment, you’ll spot at the top of that guard tower an armed man. Don’t think for one second he won’t shoot to kill if anyone tries to escape!”