The Personal Diary of Old Wooden Ears

The Personal Diary of Old Wooden Ears

Woody Overton and Jim Chapman open up season 3 of Bloody Angola: A Podcast by Woody Overton and Jim Chapman give you a ton of insight into Louisiana State penitentiary at Angola by reading you the actual diary of the founder of the "Angolite" magazine and editor Old Wooden Ears" from the 1930's!#Louisianastatepenitentiary #AngolaPrison #Podcast #Applepodcast #spotify
Transcript of episode2023 Jim: Hey, everyone. Welcome back to another edition of Bloody-Woody: -Angola.Jim: A podcast 142 years in the making.Woody: A Complete Story of America's Bloodiest Prison. Jim: And I'm Jim Chapman.Woody: And I'm Woody Overton.Jim: First of all, Woody Overton, it's Season 3.Woody: Yes, love, right? [chuckles]Woody: I can't believe that. Thank you everyone for liking us and sharing us and helping us grow. It's been amazing. Chase Team members and now all our higher levels of Patreon.Jim: Warden.Woody: Warden and C.E.R.T. Team. Thank you so much. We appreciate you. But yeah, Season 3, it's amazing. We've sold out two live shows now. Y'all's Response has been phenomenal. We appreciate you. You're about to start getting Bloody Angola three days a week.Jim: And as is our tradition, Woody Overton, we always start with a classic story from Angola.Woody: This is a classic story. Not only about the person it's about, but we are going to bring it to you from what should be a story in its own.Jim: Yes.Woody: The Angolite.Jim: The start of the Angolite, which for those of you that are not familiar, that's a magazine that is released by the prison for inmates to read.Woody: Not only inmates. I had a subscription to it back in 1992 or 1993 and they used to mail it to my house.Jim: All we're doing is telling people how old we are. Woody: [chuckles] Okay, sure. Yeah.Jim: [crosstalk] -Pony Express back then. [laughs]Woody: Yeah, right. That was definitely snail mail. It always fascinates the shit out of me what the criminal mind does. This is after I worked in the prison system too. But it's a phenomenal award-winning magazine.Jim: It really is. The guy who started that magazine is who we're going to really be talking about today. The interesting deal with this gentleman is that he was the original editor and the guy who started the Angolite. But not only did he do that, he also, in addition, kept probably one of the best diaries of Angola. As a matter of fact, I'm going to go ahead and say the best diary of Angola you would ever come across. And he had a nickname. I'm going to tell you about that nickname first. They called him Old Wooden Ears.Woody: Wooden Ears.Jim: The reason they called this gentleman that is he was beat by a correctional officer at some point during his early years in Angola and actually went deaf in one ear. So, he was known by the prisoners as Old Wooden Ears. We're going to tell you about the diaries of William Sadler, and we're going to name this episode Old Wooden Ears.Woody: Wooden Ears.Jim: The interesting thing with this episode is that we're going to actually read you the diary because we can't do this justice without actually reading you the entry. We're just going to take these back and forth. Trust me, this is interesting, y'all. This is the real diary.Woody: Think about it. You don't have a whole lot to do in prison. At least this guy was keeping himself busy by keeping a diary.Jim: And didn't hold back.Woody: Right. He told the truth according to him.Jim: Mm-hmm. That's right. We're going to start with January 1st, 1936. This was New Year's Day on Angola, and it was celebrated by all hands out in the field with the exception of Camp E, most of whom are assigned to the refinery. Sugarcane cutting going on full blast with no Sundays or holidays off until grinding ends, which will be about the middle of the month. Red Hats out in the cane shed.Woody: Red Hats.Jim: If you listen to our Red Hats episode, you'll find out a little bit more about them. But he'salready mentioning the Red Hat.Woody: Yeah. On January 3rd, 1936, he writes, "There was hail on the Gola this day. The refinery has been making 100% white sugar and shipping it to the brokers in Chicago under the Pelican Refinery, Baton Rouge label, so consumers wouldn't get onto the fact that it was made by convict labor. The last month, some of those dudes loading freight cars at Camp B siphoned off sugar out of several sacks and filled holes with striped convict clothes. When the sacks hit Chicago in the retail market and a howl went up, this was heard way down here. The result? About 16 men caught the bat, anywhere from 30 to 45 lashes each. But those who were beaten weren't the guilty ones, strange to say. It seems their clothing had been stolen and shoved into the sacks. And since the dudes bore their laundry numbers, it made them automatically guilty. The actual perpetrators of the switch got off scot-free, which is often the case on this Angola."Jim: How about that?Woody: Right. Y'all, go back and listen to some of our other episodes. The bat was basically a big leather strap. That's what they're referring to. Now, that's pretty smart. Let me tell youthis real quick. When I was in basic training in the army, they had a guy on a cot across from me that snored every night, and I wouldn't get any sleep anyway, I've been on a light sleeper. So, before the lights went out, you had to line your shoes underneath the bunk, I stole one of his boots. When the lights went out, he started snoring, I reared back and I threw that boot, I hit him in his head as hard as I could. He jumped up and he was like, "You motherfuckers. I'm going to get you. I got your boot. When I turn on the lights in the morning, I'm going to find out who it is." But guess what? It was his. These prisoners were smart like that. They stole somebody else's clothes and other inmates' clothes and numbers and plugged the holes. They were hoping to get the uprising, which they got. But unfortunately, for the victims that they stole from, well, they got the bat.Jim: They got the bat. 30 to 45 lashes, y'all. You're starting to see the brutality with Angola and why they called it Bloody Angola. Another thing that I found interesting about that entry was the fact that they would switch the labels. The reason they would do that, back in the 30s, people weren't down with convict labor like that.Woody: They still do it. When I worked at DCI, they had the crawfish plant, and they ran 24 hours a day. They brought in two 18-wheeler loads of crawfish a day and they boiled them. The inmates had to peel 16 pounds of tail meat and they got to weigh it in their 12-hour shift. If they didn't peel the 16 pounds, they went to the hole. But guess what? They packaged it under Louisiana Crawfish Company and sold it. That's the shit you buy in the grocery store when you buy Louisiana Crawfish-- It used to be when you buy Louisiana Crawfish tails.Jim: There it goes. The next time you buy, you think about that.Woody: [crosstalk] -crawfish season, they made them cut onions and they sold the cut-uponions like the Holy Trinity. But they damn sure didn't say it was done by prisoners.Jim: That's right. We continue on. And you're seeing that brutality take place. "January 5th, 1936. Narrowly missed the bat myself this day. Captain JH Row-" that's a good cager name, "-of Camp A missed credit for a carload of cane which had been sent to the mill. There's always been more confusion out in the yard when the cane cars are brought in by railroad crews at night. In this case, the weight ticket evidently became lost, not by fault, but close shave nevertheless."Woody: Wow, close shave-- [crosstalk] Jim: Yeah. And he narrowly missed that bat.Woody: I can't imagine there were a lot of lights and shit on the trains, they were rolling. I think about sugarcane, y'all, that's what he's talking about. Look, there's a certain time you got to cut it and get it out and get it to the mill to get it pressed. I know they were working sun up to sun down.Jim: Oh, yeah. And sugarcane was a huge commodity. Woody: Still is.Jim: It still is, yes.Woody: All right, y'all. So, the next one, his journal entry is on January 9th, 1936. He says, "It was cold and pouring down rain today. No slickers, no boots, no gloves. All camps that work in the fields, negro women cutting cane from on headland, white men from Camp G working toward them. John Henry on the turn row. Dinner served out in the open. Rain so hard, the whippoorwill peas bounce off your plate faster than you can spoon down. Menutoday, chicken, chopped grits, stove pipe gravy, soybean bread, and coffee made from horse beans for breakfast."Jim: I'm hungry already. [laughs] Woody: Right? I can't imagine. Jim: Out in the rain, y'all.Woody: Hey, it's raining so hard, you try to eat your shit before it gets any soggier, but the fat drops are hitting your plate so hard that your peas are bouncing off the plate? That's crazy. Hey, they didn't give a shit. They were getting that sugar cut.Jim: That's right. "14th January, 1936. The whistle blew today for the end of the 1935-36 grinding season. Tonnage figures showed one of the biggest years in Angola history, but no sugar on the table. They found over nine tons which had been hidden in various places around the refinery for use during the coming year by the refinery crew. The hideouts were tipped off by the Black Cat, who as a convict had helped plan it. Two weeks ago, he was paroled to the state for work in the refinery, so his first duty was to put the finger on the hidden sugar."Woody: Wow. Gave it up. Jim: Gave it up.Woody: You know that went on, man. Sugar is a commodity. Even the free people that worked in the mill, I guarantee the inmates kept some too make that homemade brew. All right, y'all, so we're going to January 20, 1936, again from Wooden Ears' diary. He says, "Camps all at work in the field hoeing stubbles. Rainy and wet today. Wet clothes worn into the camp dormitories, which are heated only by a wood-burning stove made out of a di

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The Profile

The Profile

In this episode of Bloody Angola podcast, we delve into the chilling world of serial killers and the intricate process of catching them. Drawing from the case of Derek Todd Lee, a notorious serial killer in the Baton Rouge area of Louisiana, we discuss how the FBI profiling of serial killers has evolved over the years. We highlight the challenges law enforcement faced in accurately profiling Derek Todd Lee, who defied the initial FBI profile by being a person of color. The episode delves into the power of DNA evidence in catching serial killers, using examples like Brian Koberger's case, where familial DNA played a crucial role in identification.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

29 Feb 202434min

Prison Solider: Cop Killer Wayne Felde

Prison Solider: Cop Killer Wayne Felde

In this episode of Bloody Angola, the podcast we delve into the life story of Wayne Felde, a troubled individual who was born in 1949 and grew up in a family with a history of military service. Wayne's father was abusive and struggled with alcoholism, which deeply impacted Wayne's upbringing. Wayne enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam War, hoping to become a war hero, but the harsh reality of the war quickly changed his perspective on conflict. He endured traumatic experiences in Vietnam, including exposure to Agent Orange, which had long-lasting detrimental effects on his health.After returning from Vietnam, Wayne struggled with PTSD and alcoholism, leading to a series of tumultuous events in his life. Tragically, Wayne ended up in a confrontation where he unintentionally killed a friend due to a PTSD-induced episode. Subsequently, Wayne was involved in a fatal incident with a police officer, resulting in his arrest and imprisonment. Despite attempts to take his own life and a tumultuous legal battle, Wayne was sentenced to death and ultimately executed in the electric chair at Louisiana State Penitentiary on March 15, 1988, just days before his 39th birthday.The podcast reflects on Wayne's complex life, the impact of war trauma on his actions, and the justice system's final verdict on his fate. The story highlights the complexities of PTSD, accountability for one's actions, and the tragic end that Wayne faced. Through detailed storytelling and historical context, Bloody Angola provides a deep dive into the life of Wayne Felde and his ultimate demise in the electric chair at the notorious prison.Timestamps:0:02:16 ]: Wayne Felde's Childhood0:05:58 ]: Wayne's Enlistment in Vietnam0:10:03 ]: Impact of Agent Orange0:14:02 ]: Wayne's Return to the U.S.0:15:24 ]: Wayne's Struggles after Vietnam0:22:31 ]: Wayne's Murder Trial0:30:09 ]: Wayne's Escape 0:34:56 ]: Wayne's Time on Death Row0:36:37 ]: Wayne's ExecutionFACTOR!Healthy and Fresh never frozen meals, prepared by chefs and ready to eat in just 2 minutes! Factor saves us time to get back to podcasting and Bloody Angola Podcast listeners get 50% off now by going to https://www.factormeals.com/bloodyangola50 and using the code bloodyangola50 for 50% off!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

22 Feb 202440min

Bad Girls

Bad Girls

In this episode, we explore the history and future of the Louisiana's Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW). We discuss the challenges faced by women at LCIW, including limited access to education and overcrowding. We also highlight the appointment of Kristen Thomas as the second-ever female warden and the construction of a new facility with improved amenities. #BloodyAngolaPodcast #LadyConvicts #LCIW #PodcastTimestamps0:02:20 Women's fate after leaving Angola: LCIW and its history0:04:04 Construction of St. Gabriel, a female-only prison near Baton Rouge0:04:31 Early years of LCIW: Housing, Orientation, and Behavioral Assessments0:06:37 Work release program and healthcare at LCIW0:14:58 Female warden appointed to increase diversity in leadership0:19:18 Groundbreaking for new LCIW facility in September 20220:27:14 Success Stories: Horticulture, Upholstery, and Welding Classes0:29:13 Re-entry Programs and Support for Incarcerated Women0:36:43 Inside Knowledge of Prison Life and Security MeasuresFACTOR!Healthy and Fresh never frozen meals, prepared by chefs and ready to eat in just 2 minutes! Factor saves us time to get back to podcasting and Bloody Angola Podcast listeners get 50% off now by going to https://www.factormeals.com/bloodyangola50 and using the code bloodyangola50 for 50% off!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

15 Feb 202442min

Preparing to Die

Preparing to Die

In this episode of the Bloody Angola podcast, we explore the Louisiana State Penitentiary Execution Manual. We discuss the procedures and requirements for executions, the role of witnesses, and the importance of professionalism. We also touch on the legal process and the rarity of exoneration.Timestamps0:03:20 Chain of Command and Roles in the Execution Process0:05:48 Incarceration and Transport of Death Row Offenders0:07:02 Communications and Media Regulations0:09:11 Visits, Visits with Family, and Special Visits0:15:47 Preparation and Security Measures for Executions0:18:13 Witness Selection and Pool Reporters0:23:25 Execution Process and Post-Execution Procedures0:28:34 Execution process and the role of the coroner0:30:13 Paperwork involved in the execution processFACTOR!Healthy and Fresh never frozen meals, prepared by chefs and ready to eat in just 2 minutes! Factor saves us time to get back to podcasting and Bloody Angola Podcast listeners get 50% off now by going to https://www.factormeals.com/bloodyangola50 and using the code bloodyangola50 for 50% off!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

8 Feb 202442min

Smiling Jack

Smiling Jack

A 16-year-old brutally murders an 8-year-old while biking in Saint Francisville, Louisiana. Trevor Reese confesses which leads to a sentence in Bloody Angola for life without parole. We discuss the horrific crime, the legal proceedings, impact statements in this episode of Bloody Angola Podcast.Timestamps0:04:24 Background on Clinton and St. Francisville0:12:44 A typical summer day in Louisiana0:14:32 Tragic encounter with Trevor Reese0:16:36 Monique's Desperate Attempt to Save Jack0:18:10 Trevor Confesses to the Carpenter0:18:34 Trevor's Brutal Crime0:20:11 District Judge rules Trevor eligible for prosecution as an adult0:22:54 Arraignment: Not guilty by reason of insanity plea entered0:23:42 The shocking murder and the grief-stricken parents0:26:06 Trial dates set and the plea deal confusion0:28:14 Judge Carmichael questions Trevor's plea and explains the process0:30:49 Trevor's monstrous nature and absence of remorse examined0:32:15 Dr. Scott speaks about Monique's trauma and PTSD0:34:04 Monique's realization and the horrifying details of Jackson's injuries0:35:56 Jack's grandfather's heart-wrenching victim impact statement0:36:32 Devastation and Hatred: The Scar You Left Behind0:37:39 Jack's Father Pleads for Maximum Sentence0:40:04 Trevor's Admission of Guilt and Sentencing0:42:31 The complexity of victims on both sides0:43:04 A Father's Responsibility and the Change in LawThank you to Cyndi Overton for her assistance in researching this case.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 Feb 202446min

The Decision | How Henry Montgomery Gave Life to Lifer's

The Decision | How Henry Montgomery Gave Life to Lifer's

In todays episode we discuss the Louisiana Supreme Court decision called Montgomery v. Louisiana, which involved Henry Montgomery, the longest-serving convict in Angola Prison's history. Henry was released in 2021 after spending 57 years behind bars. We start with the events of November 13th, 1963, when Officer Hurt encountered Henry at a park which led to the murder of the officer. The community goes into lockdown, and Montgomery is eventually found, confesses to the shooting, and is convicted of first-degree murder. Despite initially receiving a death sentence, he is later granted a new trial, resulting in a life sentence. The 2010 case Graham v. Florida, in which the Supreme Court deemed juvenile life without parole sentences unconstitutional for crimes other than murder was the start of some life changing Supreme Court rulings for juvenile offenders. Miller v. Alabama followed and was used as a precedent to have Henry Montgomery's case reviewed by the Supreme Court, resulting in his life without parole sentence being thrown out. Known as Montgomery vs Louisiana this ruling became one of the most historic rulings in history as it relates to juvenile lifer's.You are going to want to tune into this one! It's FIRE!Chapters0:07:17 Officer Charles Hurt and Henry Montgomery's Fateful Encounter0:11:27 Confrontation Turns Dangerous with a Pistol Drawn0:15:18 Montgomery's Trial and Sentencing0:22:14 Montgomery's Eligibility for Parole0:28:02 Tough Decision: Denying Parole0:33:12 Henry Montgomery's Release and Reflections on Freedom0:42:19 A Police Officer's Perspective and the VerdictFACTOR!Healthy and Fresh never frozen meals, prepared by chefs and ready to eat in just 2 minutes! Factor saves us time to get back to podcasting and Bloody Angola Podcast listeners get 50% off now by going to https://www.factormeals.com/bloodyangola50 and using the code bloodyangola50 for 50% off!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

25 Jan 202451min

Correcting the Record | Response to Changing of the Guard

Correcting the Record | Response to Changing of the Guard

This emergency drop is in response to information received regarding the most recent drop of Bloody Angola titled "The Changing of the Guard".For the article referenced in the "Changing of the Guard" episode, see the attached link below.https://www.fox8live.com/2023/12/21/governor-edwards-pardons-57-inmates-october-through-december/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

19 Jan 202411min

The Changing of the Guard | The Pardons of John Bell Edwards and Gov. Jeff Landry's Solution

The Changing of the Guard | The Pardons of John Bell Edwards and Gov. Jeff Landry's Solution

***We are retracting the portion of this podcast referencing that all of these inmates received a full pardon, we like most of the general public received incomplete information. While all received "a" pardon", most received clemency meaning they got a reduction in sentence, However 5 inmates in particular did receive a full pardon. The episode following this episode contains the details of this retraction.***In this episode of Bloody Angola, we explore the recent transition of power with the election of Governor Jeff Landry as it relates to crime and the recent pardons of outgoing Louisiana Governor John Bell Edwards.. Previous governor, John Bel Edwards, is known for his leniency in crime and numerous acts of clemency. We delve into the governor's authority to grant sentence commutation, the role of the pardon board in reviewing applications, and the different types of clemency that exist.We focus on the actions of John Bel Edwards, who commuted the sentences of many prisoners and granted several inmates full pardons.The current governor, Jeff Landry, known for his tough stance on crime, Landry stands firm on his commitment to restoring law and order.Chapters0:02:07 Changing of the Guard: New Governor, New Policies0:05:36 Clemency Applications and Eligibility Requirements0:14:09 John Bel Edwards' High Rate of Sentence Commutations0:16:03 Pardons explained0:17:12 Pardons of Convicted Individuals.0:19:07 Continuation of List: Pardons.0:21:03 Additional Pardons for Murder and Other Crimes0:28:29 Jeff Landry's Tough Stance on Crime0:30:26 Jeff Landry's Anti-Crime Ads as Governor CandidateFACTOR!Healthy and Fresh never frozen meals, prepared by chefs and ready to eat in just 2 minutes! Factor saves us time to get back to podcasting and Bloody Angola Podcast listeners get 50% off now by going to https://www.factormeals.com/bloodyangola50 and using the code bloodyangola50 for 50% off!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

18 Jan 202436min

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