The digital archive is a collection of newspaper articles, letters, intake records and photographs from archives in Denver and Cañon City, Colorado. The database focuses on prison conditions and reform practices in Cañon City, Colorado in the early 20th century. Given racial discrimination is a defining characteristic of the United States incarceration system, the materials are related to the political rise of the Ku Klux Klan in Colorado and the chapter’s relationship with Colorado’s first State Penitentiary. The database is not yet public-facing, but continues to evolve with my research.
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Letter from Arnold to Sweet May 29, 1924
Frederick Arnold informed Governor William Sweet that he would have to file charges against Warden Tynan through the Civil Service Commision. Arnold…
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Sweet Confessed His Plot Against Tynan
The Denver Post published two articles in 1925 that explained the political alliances Governor William Sweet made to help him in his fight against…
Sheriff Glasson Found the Penitentiary Guarded with Weaponry
Sheriff Glasson arrived at the Penitentiary and Warden Tynan set up a fortress to protect the Colorado State Penitentiary from seizure. Glasson…
Sheriff Glasson Appointed New Warden
After conferring with William Sweet, Clarence J, Morley, the governor of Colorado in 1925 and a member of the Ku Klux Klan, appointed Sheriff Glasson…
Tynan Would Not Resign
Warden Thomas Tynan refused to resign from the head of the Colorado State Penitentiary. Governor William Sweet was accused of plotting to make Thomas…
Tynan Claimed Charges Against Him were Falsehoods
Warden Thomas Tynan claimed he would not resign until a proper court order forced him to leave the Colorado State Penitentiary. The following article…
Tynan Discussed Benefits of Roadbuilding at the Penitentiary
In 1912, Tynan described the benefits of the road-building program he created for inmates at the Colorado State Penitentiary. He argued that the…
Tynan Rebuilder of Men Political Advertisement
In 1912, Thomas Tynan ran for Governor in Colorado, but he was never elected. The political advertisement emphasized his accomplishments at the…
A Klansman's Creed
The Klansman Creed, published in the Fremont Daily, outlined principles that a Klansman followed in Cañon City.
Klansmen Sheriff Glasson Praised in the Fremont Daily
Sheriff Glasson was prasied for crime control in Cañon City because he was not leinent about any laws. In 1924, Glasson was Frederick Arnold and…
Ku Klux Klan's Symbol for Law Enforcement
The Ku Klux Klan associated seven symbols to their organization. The sword represented strict and harsh law enforcement.
Klansmen Col. Mckeever Lecture on the Miracles of the Ku Klux Klan
A portion of Klansmen Col. Mckeever's lecture at the State Armory in Canon City in 1924 was published in the Fremont Daily News. It is a passionate…
A Daily American Column on the Nation's Inefficient Judicial System
An anonymous Klan member discussed their frustrations with the "weak," "inefficient," and "uncontrolled" court and police system in the United States.…
Ku Klux Klan's Political Advertisement
The Ku Klux Klan endorsed members of the Republican and Democrat Party in Freemont County because they wanted to consolidate power. The Klan preached…
Anonymous Account of the Ku Klux Klan's Attempt to Remove Tynan
An anonymous author wrote this description about the Klan's failed attempt to force Warden Tynan out of the Colorado State Penitentiary. The author…
Ku Klux Klan ticket
This Ku Klux Klan ticket was given to a Klansmen who was promoted to a higher position in the Klan.
How to be a better Klansmen?
Frederick Arnold outlined the local angle of the Ku Klux Klan to Klan members in Cañon City. The national KKK movement was dwindling in 1926, but…
Ku Klux Klan Newspaper Registration and List of Stockholders
The Daily American was a publishing company established by Ku Klux Klan members in Fremont County. Contributors’ identities were intentionally omitted…
Twenty-Fourth Biennial Report by Arnold and Tynan
Warden Thomas Tynan and Chaplain Frederick Arnold of the Colorado State Penitentiary wrote a Biennial report for the Board of Corrections. This report…
Letter from Shurtliff (inmate relation) to Sweet January 9, 1925
J.S Shurtliff had a son at the Colorado State Penitentiary and he believed Warden Tynan was a wicked man. He trusted Governor William Sweet's motives…
Letter from Lutler (former inmate) to Sweet
Norene Lutler wrote to Governor William Sweet when she was still on parole from the Colorado State Penitentiary. Lutler was granted trustee status…
Letter from Unknown (former inmate) to Sweet
An anonymous ex-inmate sent Governor William Sweet a letter that pertained gruesome details about punishment used frequently in the Colorado State…
Letter from Ashcroft (former inmate family member) to Sweet May 31, 1925
Mrs. Ashcroft thanked Governor William Sweet for granting her son clemency.
Transcription:
Dear Gov; I want to thank you for your kindness in…
Letter from Durand (former inmate) to Sweet January 6, 1925
D.A Durand, a former inmate at the Colorado State Penitentiary, excused Warden Tynan of “moonshining” and he claimed Tynan stole things from the…
Letter from Lee (former inmate) to Sweet January 5, 1925
Robert Lee and his brother served time at the Colorado State Penitentiary. Lee wrote to Governor William Sweet because he was “willing to crawl on his…
Cañon City Ku Klux Klan Photograph
The Cañon City Ku Klux Klan #21 gathered on January 26, 1924 at the Natatorium Pool on Dozier Avenue in Cãnon City, Colorado.
Sweet Inaugural Address January 9, 1923
Governor William Sweet spoke about law enforcement in a section of his gubernatorial inaugural address in 1923. In the this section, Sweet also…
Letter from Arnold to Sweet September 12, 1923
Frederick Arnold created a list of suggested programs of education and social activities for inmates at the Colorado State Penitentiary. Arnold hoped…
Letter from Arnold to Sweet October 5, 1923
Frederick Arnold sent Governor William Sweet a holiday card in 1923 and told Sweet that he was pleased with the christmas celebration at the Colorado…
Sweet Political Advertisement 1922
In the first few pages of Governor William Sweet’s political pamphlet, Sweet emphasized his dedication to order and prohibition. This pamphlet…