There are plans afoot to eventually expand the museum by including the two buildings that are situated in front of the museum. The museum frequently adds to its prison collections, thus, the more we collect, the more space is needed to house them.
John Docherty was the first man to be imprisoned in Colorado for practicing abortion.
As for my own experiences with ghosts at the museum, there have been times when I’ve been alone at the museum and I have clearly heard women’s voices. These voices sound like they are coming directly from down the halls and from within the cells. During those times, I’ve gotten off my seat and walked down the corridor to investigate. I’ve never found anyone else but myself in the building. Now, given everything that others have reported to me, and all that I’ve personally experienced at the prison, I still don’t believe that the ghosts will appear to me. I know that others have seen them, and that they’re in the building, but I don’t think they’ll appear to me. Any way, I hope they don’t.”
Melissa Darwin’s Story
“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!”
CARBONDALE
Located in the Roaring Fork Valley, and halfway between Glenwood Springs and Aspen, Carbondale is a community that rests below the immense 12,953-foot Mount Sopris. The town is a year- round recreation area with a pleasant offering of fine restaurants, art galleries and unique shops.
In the year 1868, the treaty between the Utes and U.S. government forced the Utes to abandon their sacredly held, prime hunting area. Although they greatly defended their right to stay, their fate ultimately became what was to be the general, approaching sorrowful dictate of the government towards all Native Americans.
Because of its close association with water sports, such as kayaking to world-class fly-fishing, Carbondale is definitely worthy of what National Geographic’s Adventure magazine calls “The Ultimate Rocky Mountain Hideout.”
Exploring the town’s central district is historically fascinating. Explore the Mount Sopris Historical Museum that is housed in a century-old, two-story log cabin. There you’ll find numerous brochures and information on the town’s annual Potato Day Parade and Festival that is held each October. A visit to Carbondale should include a summer tour of the Tudor style, turn of the 20th century mansion, The Redstone Inn Castle. The construction cost for this 42-room inn cost $2.5 million. And don’t forget to ask about the spirits that have been seen from time to time on the property.
Frank Carter’s Story
When I entered Frank’s home to conduct the following interview, he was exercising on his treadmill. His wife, Anita, provided me with a chair and from it, I asked my questions, as he continued exercising. Twice he stopped his walking to make clear to me how much he was emotionally affected by his ghost encounter. Eventually he found it difficult to continue exercising while recounting such a disturbing and personal experience. He turned off the machine, and pulled up a chair next to mine. What follows is Frank’s very brave account of what occurred at his place of work, five years ago.
— Antonio
“I was raised in Albany, Georgia, by my father’s sister, Jimette. My mother and father divorced when I was only 10 months old. After I graduated from high school, I attended a trade school in Georgia, and soon after I graduated, I joined the navy. After leaving the navy, I returned home in October of 1979, I met my future wife, Anita, in Georgia and we married. Roughly within two years, we moved to Colorado, where after completing the company’s own training program, I was hired as a licensed Toyota mechanic. I was working at a Toyota dealership in Denver for four years, until my wife