September 19, 1937. Folsom, California. Behind the towering granite walls of Folsom State Prison, seven desperate convicts launched a violent escape attempt that would become one of the deadliest episodes in the prison's history. Armed with homemade weapons, the inmates seized Warden Clarence A. Larkin and Correctional Officer Roy G. Best as hostages and attempted to force their way toward freedom. Instead, the escape route became a deadly bottleneck. Gunfire erupted. When it ended, Larkin, Best, and two inmates were dead. Five surviving participants were convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Their cases would become tied to another chapter in California history when executions were carried out in the state's newly installed gas chamber at San Quentin. Decades before Johnny Cash made Folsom famous through music, the prison had already earned a fearsome reputation. On September 19, 1937, that reputation was reinforced by a desperate escape attempt that ended in bloodshed. Then, celebrate Oktoberfest, Talk Like a Pirate Day, the invention of the practical carpet sweeper, International Eat an Apple Day, the discovery of Ötzi the Iceman, Locate an Old Friend Day, and the premiere of ER. Plus, revisit the controversial half-point penalty that cost the U.S. women's gymnastics team a medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, celebrate country music superstar Trisha Yearwood, remember popcorn legend Orville Redenbacher, and continue our biblical journey with Ecclesiastes 6:7 and a reminder that lasting contentment cannot be found in possessions, achievements, or material success. 🎧 The Write Team Daily is our daily podcast covering history, world events, sports, culture, faith, and inspiration. Thank you for listening, and be sure to give us a like or a follow! ✍The Write Team Podcast is a production of Write Team Services LLC. 🙏Thank you to our Write Team sponsors! Stiles Electric ⚡ Compressor Components 🗜 Elysian Fields ISD 🐝 Hallsville Independent School District 😾 Karnack ISD 🏹 #FolsomPrison #FolsomPrisonBreakout #TrueCrimeHistory #CaliforniaHistory #September19 #OlympicHistory #TrishaYearwood #OrvilleRedenbacher #Ecclesiastes67 #TheWriteTeamDaily Folsom Prison, Folsom Prison breakout, Folsom Prison escape, Folsom Prison 1937, September 19 1937, Clarence Larkin, Roy Best, Folsom prison riot, California prison history, San Quentin gas chamber, California true crime history, Johnny Cash Folsom Prison, Oktoberfest, Talk Like a Pirate Day, Bissell carpet sweeper, Melville Bissell, Ötzi the Iceman, Otzi discovery, ER premiere, 1988 Seoul Olympics gymnastics, Rhonda Faehn, USA gymnastics penalty, Trisha Yearwood birthday, She's in Love with the Boy, Orville Redenbacher, Ecclesiastes 6:7, Christian devotional, September 19 history, The Write Team Daily
