It’s fun looking at old pictures. You get to daydream about what the lives of the people in the photos would have been like. You could look at this one from 1907, courtesy of the Idaho State Historical Society digital collection, and wonder what these nattily dressed men were doing standing around in front of a formal carriage. Politicians, maybe? Landowners on an inspection tour?
What about that guy in the center with the number 3 written across his shoulder? Is he looking relaxed with his hands folded behind his back?
We don’t have to wonder what was up because the Historical Society has provided us with a handy key to who was in the picture. Man number one is Warden E.L. Whitney of the Idaho State Penitentiary. The number two man is Deputy Bartell, a trial witness for the State of Colorado. Man number four is an Idaho prison guard, last name Ackley. Number five is Edgar Hawley, and number six is Detective Charles Siringo of the Pinkerton Detective Agency.
Oh, and number three? Harry Orchard. He wasn’t just standing at ease with his hands behind his back. They were likely in handcuffs. Orchard was convicted of setting the bomb trap that killed ex-Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg. The picture was likely taken during the famous Haywood trial, where Orchard was a key witness.
What about that guy in the center with the number 3 written across his shoulder? Is he looking relaxed with his hands folded behind his back?
We don’t have to wonder what was up because the Historical Society has provided us with a handy key to who was in the picture. Man number one is Warden E.L. Whitney of the Idaho State Penitentiary. The number two man is Deputy Bartell, a trial witness for the State of Colorado. Man number four is an Idaho prison guard, last name Ackley. Number five is Edgar Hawley, and number six is Detective Charles Siringo of the Pinkerton Detective Agency.
Oh, and number three? Harry Orchard. He wasn’t just standing at ease with his hands behind his back. They were likely in handcuffs. Orchard was convicted of setting the bomb trap that killed ex-Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg. The picture was likely taken during the famous Haywood trial, where Orchard was a key witness.