The Penal Press

**Through the course of research, something around 600 issues of prison periodicals were consulted. And thanks to the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, a large number of issues of The Eye Opener newspaper from Oklahoma State Penitentiary were made accessible. Due to the large volume, not every issue is logged individually below. The focus here concerns issues specific to BlueJacket’s incarceration. **

The Eye Opener / Mid-Way Magazine. Includes: “Expression and Decision” by Jean Collins, and “Editorial” by Russell Foley. Vol. 2. No. 24 / “First Issue”. February 24th, 1939. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary, 1939.

The Eye Opener. Includes: “Out of Solitary” by Jimmie Easley and “Little Scoop.” [McAlester, OK]: [Oklahoma State Penitentiary], July 1954.

The Eye Opener – 1954 Rodeo Supplement. “The Outlaws’ Rodeo Is Different.” [McAlester, OK]: [Oklahoma State Penitentiary], July 1954.

The Eye Opener. Page 2. Vol. 36. No. 11. May, 1957. McAlester, Oklahoma: Oklahoma State Penitentiary, 1957. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. “The Prison Newspaper Editor” by Rex Fletcher. Vol. 44. No. 17. February 8th, 1960. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. “Editor’s Ramblings” by [Rex Fletcher]. Vol. 45. No. 18. March 8th, 1960. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. “I ‘Mastered’ Two Trades in Prison” by Bill Samet. Vol. 37. No. 12. [July] 1960. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary.

The Eye Opener. “There’s Been Some Changes Made” Vol. 37. No. 12. [July] 1960. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary.

The Eye Opener. “New Parole Director In Favor Of More Paroles” by Editor, Rex Fletcher. Vol. 38. No. 1. August, 1960. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. “Letter To The Editor.” Vol. 38. No. 1. August, 1960. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. “Letter To General Motors” [reprinted from The Reflector]. Vol. 38. No. 2. September 1960. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. “Parole Placement Officer Stationed at Prison”. Vol. 39. No. 3. October, 1960. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary.

The Eye Opener. “Prison Reform Challenge”. Vol. 41. No. 1. July 1962. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. “The Stomach-Turning Point” by Jenkin Lloyd Jones. Vol. 41. No. 9. March 1963. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. “A Life Apart” by Fred D. Tuggle. Vol. 41. No. 11. May 1963. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. “Editorial” by [Fred D. Tuggle]. Vol. 41. No. 12. June 1963. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. “Letters to the Editor.” Vol. 42. No. 2. August 1963. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. Page 6. Vol. [42]. No. 3. September 1963. McAlester, Oklahoma: Oklahoma State Penitentiary, 1957. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 42 No. 7. January 1964. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. Includes: “Parole Violators” by W.J. Tex Bynum.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 42 No. 8. February 1964. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 42. No. 9. March 1964. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. Includes: “Think About It” by [Fred D.] Tuggle.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 42. No. 10. April 1964. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 42. No. 11. May 1964. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 42. No. 12. June 1964. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 43 No. 3. September 1964. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 43 No. 4. September 1964. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. Pg. 2. Vol. 43 No. 5. November 1964. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. Includes: “Time On My Hands” by Editor, Fred D. Tuggle.

The Eye Opener. Pg. 2. Vol. 43 No. 6. December 1964. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. Includes: “From This Corner [Johnny Evans & Paganini]” by Bobby BlueJacket. Additional clipping of December 1964 piece from the Collection of Bobby BlueJacket.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 43 No. 7. January 1965. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. Includes: “Christmas Show 1964.”

The Eye Opener. Vol. 43 No. 8. February 1965. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 43 No. 9. March 1965. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. Includes: “From This Corner [Chester Hibbs]” by Bobby BlueJacket.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 43 No. 10. April 1965. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 43 No. 11. May 1965. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. Includes: “Parole Board Member [Charlie Chesnut] to Be Honored.”

The Eye Opener. Vol. 43 No. 12. June 1965. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 44. No. 1. July 1965. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 44. No. 2. August 1965. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. Includes: “Sportin’ Around [On Golf]” by Bob BlueJacket.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 44. No. 3. September 1965. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 44. No. 4. October 1965. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. Includes: “Enlightenment in Criminology” by Charles C. Chesnut.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 44. No. 6. December 1965. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 44 No. 7. January 1966. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 44 No. 8. February 1966. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. Includes: “Parole Is Everybody’s Concern” by W.J. Tex Bynum; “From This Corner [Story of the Blind Newspaper Seller]” by Bob BlueJacket.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 44 No. 9. March 1966. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. Includes: “Where’s the Grand Jury” by Joe Baker; “From This Corner [Against the Oklahoma Press]” by Bob BlueJacket.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 44. No. 10. April 1966. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. Includes: “There Is More Than Money at Stake” by W.J. Tex Bynum; “Time On My Hands” by Fred D. Tuggle; “Broad-Way” by Doris Howard; “From This Corner [Reprint of Chester Hibbs with intro by Fred D. Tuggle]” by Bob BlueJacket.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 44. No. 11. May 1966. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 44. No. 12. June 1966. McAlester: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. Includes: “From This Corner [To Grant or Not to Grant a Parole]” by Bob BlueJacket. Additional clipping from the Collection of Bobby BlueJacket.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 45. No. 1. July 1966. McAlester: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. Includes: “From This Corner [Concerning the Outlaws band]” by Bob BlueJacket. Additional clipping with MS annotations from the Collection of Bobby BlueJacket.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 45. No. 2. August 1966. McAlester: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. 2 copies. 1 from the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. 1 from the Collection of Bobby BlueJacket with MS annotations. Includes: “Brick-Bats [mention of BlueJacket]” by Johnny Bernay; “From This Corner [Atlanta Braves]” by Bob BlueJacket.

The Eye Opener.. Pg. 3. Vol. 45 No. 3. September 1966. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. Includes: “Time On My Hands” by Editor, Fred D. Tuggle; “Footnotes” by Frank Sorgman; “From This Corner [An Ambiguous Age]” by Bob BlueJacket.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 45. No. 4. October 1966. McAlester: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. 2 copies. 1 from the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. 1 from the Collection of Bobby BlueJacket. Includes: “From This Corner [Juvenile troubles]” by Bob BlueJacket.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 45. No. 5. November 1966. McAlester: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah.

The Eye Opener. Vol. 45 No. 6. December 1966. McAlester, OK: Oklahoma State Penitentiary. From the Collection of the John Vaughan Library at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah. Includes: “Time On My Hands” by Fred D. Tuggle.

Good News. Vol. X. No. 1. September 1961. San Francisco: Northern California Council of Alcoholics Anonymous. Contains reprint of Eye Opener article, “Great Responsibilities” by Jim McCann.

O.S.R. News and Views. [Vol. 1. No. 1]. September 1st, 1950. Lakeside High School, Granite, OK: Oklahoma State Reformatory. From the Collection of Bobby BlueJacket.

O.S.R. News and Views. [Vol. 1. No. 3]. November 23rd, 1949. Lakeside High School, Granite, OK: Oklahoma State Reformatory. From the Collection of Bobby BlueJacket.

O.S.R. News and Views. Vol. 1. No. 5. January 6th, 1950. Lakeside High School, Granite, OK: Oklahoma State Reformatory. From the Collection of Bobby BlueJacket.

O.S.R. News and Views. “Batting Averages 1950.” Loose sheet detailing Oklahoma State Reformatory baseball statistics. From the Collection of Bobby BlueJacket.

O.S.R. News and Views. “In This Corner” by Charley Squirrel. Clippings regarding Dick Burnett, owner of the Dallas Eagles, and boxing. From the Collection of Bobby BlueJacket.

O.S.R. News and Views. “Editorial.” Scratched out draft of editorial about Jesse James. Clipping from the Collection of Bobby BlueJacket.

The Periscope. “Are We Chronophobic” by Joe West. Vol. XII. No. 1. Lewisburg, PA: United States Penitentiary, Lewisburg, January – February, 1943.

Rome News-Tribune. “Learned Hand.” AP article describing a guest editorial by Erle Stanley Gardner in The Eye Opener. December 2nd, 1959. [Rome, GA].

The Voice of the State Training School for White Boys. Vol. 1. No. 1. Pauls Valley, OK: State Training School for White Boys, April/May/June 1936. Photocopy provided by Adrienne Grimmett.

Wall City News. Vol. 5. No. 5. September 10th, 1930. San Quentin: San Quentin State Prison. Early iteration of what would become San Quentin News.