Title: Pots 'O Gold
Author: Matt R. Penrose
Description: Boards in black cloth with gilt lettering (now mostly rubbed off) on spine and front cover. Light wear to head of spine; minor blemish on front cover. Interior is clean and unmarked. 22 photographs on plates. 233 pages.
A history of the origins and development of Nevada state prison, by Matt Penrose, who served as its warden from 1927 to 1934. He begins with some background on the Comstock load and the unpunished oulawry in the early years of the state. He continues with the issues around constitutional mandate and origin of the prison and gives several accounts of early Nevada robbers, describes events like prison-breaks, the discovery of the mastodon fossil in the prison yard, and the introduction of the world's first lethal gas chamber. He gives account of many of the convicts and, additionally, shares his views on crime and punishment.
Matthew Rowe Penrose (1881-1952), a rancher from Lyon County, Nevada, was a Nevada state senator 1917-1924, the Mayor of Yerington 1924-1926, and most notably was the warden of the Nevada State Penitentiary 1927-1934. Following the publication of Pots 'O Gold, he served as the sheriff of Lyon County 1939-1947.
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good
Jacket Condition: None
Publisher: A. Carlisle & Co. of Nevada
Place: Reno, Nevada
Year: 1935
Keywords: Matthew Rowe Penrose , Nevada, Nevada State Penitentiary, Nevada State Prison, warden, Virginia City, Carson City, crime, outlaws, criminology, prisoners, gas chamber,