In 1857, convicts began breaking rock to build the walls of the Illinois State penitentiary at Joliet, the prison that would later confine them. For a century and a half, thousands of men and women were sentenced to do time in this historic, castle-like fortress on Collins Street. Its bakery fed victims of the Great Chicago Fire, and its locks frustrated pickpockets from the world's fair. Even newspaper-selling sensations like the Lambeth Poisoner, the Haymarket Anarchists, the Marcus Train Robbers and Fainting Bertha became numbers once they passed through the gates. Author Amy Steidinger recovers stories of lunatics and lawmen, counterfeiters and call girls, grave robbers and politicians.
1137283840
Old Joliet Prison: When Convicts Wore Stripes
In 1857, convicts began breaking rock to build the walls of the Illinois State penitentiary at Joliet, the prison that would later confine them. For a century and a half, thousands of men and women were sentenced to do time in this historic, castle-like fortress on Collins Street. Its bakery fed victims of the Great Chicago Fire, and its locks frustrated pickpockets from the world's fair. Even newspaper-selling sensations like the Lambeth Poisoner, the Haymarket Anarchists, the Marcus Train Robbers and Fainting Bertha became numbers once they passed through the gates. Author Amy Steidinger recovers stories of lunatics and lawmen, counterfeiters and call girls, grave robbers and politicians.
12.99
In Stock
5
1
Old Joliet Prison: When Convicts Wore Stripes
128
Old Joliet Prison: When Convicts Wore Stripes
128Related collections and offers
12.99
In Stock
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781439671726 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | The History Press |
| Publication date: | 11/09/2020 |
| Series: | Landmarks |
| Sold by: | Bookwire |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 128 |
| File size: | 4 MB |
About the Author
From the B&N Reads Blog