Keywords

Idaho studies, female penitentiary, Native American

Abstract

While doing research on the experience of Mormon polygamists incarcerated at the Idaho Penitentiary, Fred Woods became curious about a woman imprisoned there at the same time. The Idaho Penitentiary's Convict Register names "Heneba" as the first female inmate received, on May 31, 1887. Next to her name is written in parentheses "squaw." For many years it has been unclear whether "Heneba" was her first or last name and what the background of this mysterious Native American was. Information about her age at the time of her incarceration, her family life, and the details of her later years and death have eluded historians. Although scholars have been aware of her trial, arrest, and conviction, these other questions have gone unanswered.

Original Publication Citation

Fred E. Woods, "The Idaho Territorial Penitentiary's First Female Inmate," (Footnote to History), Idaho Yesterdays 40, no. 4 (Winter 1997): 14-15. http://www.isu.edu/history/yesterday.shtml