I went to prison today; I ended up in the gas chamber
In Jefferson City, Missouri, there is an old prison you can tour. It closed in 2004; it's a piece of history that I've wanted to see for a long time. Today was the day.
Don't try escaping by way of the Missouri River; the guards will shine lights down there and catch you.
Ah, the cold, gray face of the prison. I can almost hear Johnny Cash singing "Folsom Prison Blues".
The crowded cells.
Knives made in secret by conniving inmates, some of which were actually used to kill people.
You can imagine my trepidation as we approached the (shudder) GAS CHAMBER!
Suddenly, there I was; and I hadn't even been offered a final meal. Yes, it seats two, and a few times there were some double gassings. The two people who kidnapped Bobby Greenlease in 1953 got to die together. My Russian Friend, Meesha, did an informative entry some time back about the Greenlease kidnapping; click HERE to read it.
When you gotta go, you gotta go (get gassed, that is). I jest, but the guy said it was a particularly cruel way to die.
I recommend this tour to everybody! You will not be sorry. Our guide worked in the prison from the early seventies until it closed in 2004; he is passionate about the history of the place, and he has fascinating stories to tell. I took a very short video of him, just so you can see how enthusiastic he is; that enthusiasm never flagged during the whole two-and-a-half hour tour.
The oldest of the buildings on the place was constructed eight years before Custer's last stand.
You HAVE to go, I tell you! Click HERE for information.
We took that same tour (although I never thought to get a shot of me sitting in the gas chamber).
ReplyDeleteNow that's a moment I'll never get back. =)
You looked just too comfortable in that chair, Donna. QUICK. Jump to your feet. Think of all those who have GONE before you. SPOOKY. All those knives too. The horror. Prison Tours. What a great way to make use of property that had no more purpose. Sounds like a fun day. The tour guide seemed to have a good personality. Glad you shared. Great pics.
ReplyDeletevery cool. I only made it to Jeff.City once for a few hours. May need to go back.
ReplyDeleteYou're braver than I am. With my luck, somebody would slam the door shut and forget about me.
ReplyDeleteActually,the gas chamber looks like a romantic place to have dinner with a loved one on Halloween night......
I've toured Alcatraz a couple times. I'm always surprised how pretty and peaceful it is. Well, the actual prison building isn't all that pretty but the gardens and the grounds are lovely. It's a self guided tour with headphones and the speakers are people - prisoners and guards - who lived there.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting entry! Thanks for sharing with us!!
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