Author of ‘Folsom Prison Bloody 13’ speaks and hosts Folsom History Event – ​​Folsom Times

Folsom History has announced a special event featuring author Josh Morgan, who will come to the Folsom History Museum to talk about the infamous escape from Folsom Prison in 1903. The event is part of the local presentation of Morgan’s newly released book, The Folsom Prison Bloody 13: The Great Escape of 1903.

Morgan’s book explores the history of Folsom Prison and the dramatic events that led to the escape. He tells the story of Richard “Red” Gordon and twelve other inmates who attacked their prison guards and attempted a daring escape. The escape sparked a nationwide manhunt marked by violence and tragedy. Among the escapees were well-known figures such as Joseph Theron and Frank Case, both serving life sentences for robbery, and Joseph Murphy, a burglar and poet. While some of the prisoners were recaptured, five were never found.

The event will provide attendees with the opportunity to learn more about this exciting chapter of local history and the flaws of the prison system at the time. Morgan will also speak about his research and the personal stories of the escapees.

Books are available for purchase and Morgan will be signing copies after his presentation. Tickets for the event are $15, with a discounted rate of $12 for Folsom History members. Tickets can be purchased here.

Josh Morgan lives in the nearby Sierra Nevada foothills with his wife and two daughters. Morgan is an avid trail runner and explorer of Northern California. His family’s roots in the region date back to the 1860s. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of the Pacific and works at Sierra College.

Arcadia Publishing is the nation’s leading publisher of nonfiction books on local and understudied history. Their mission is to connect people to their past, their communities, and each other through a catalog of thousands of titles exploring America’s diverse history.

The Folsom Prison Bloody 13: The Great Escape of 1903 is published by Arcadia Publishing under the imprint The History Press. The book (ISBN: 9781467155939) was released on June 3, 2024, and costs $24.99. The July 10 event will be held at the Folsom History Museum, 823 Sutter St. The event will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information about the upcoming event, visit www.folsomhistory.org, where you can reserve tickets now.