Photograph taken for a story in the Daily Oklahoman newspaper. Caption: "TUCK COPE GUARD AT MCALESTER PRISON .."

Photograph used for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company.

Photograph used for a story in the Daily Oklahoman newspaper. Caption: "Del Coppinger of McAlester, one of several who volunteered to act as coaches at the Special Olympics Saturday at McAlester, offers some encouraging words to Scott Holt, 9, as he lines up for a race."

Photograph used for a story in the Daily Oklahoman newspaper. Caption: "It's been a year since a man's body was found hanging in an abandoned two-room house south of McAlester and authorities still don't know his identity."

Photograph used for a story in the Daily Oklahoman newspaper. Caption: "Paul Young, left, and Gene McElhaney load cartons with Earl Hoffman's type trays."

Photograph used for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company.

Photograph taken for a story in the Daily Oklahoman newspaper. Caption: "If you ask Roy Davis, he will tell you he is probably the luckiest farmer in Pittsburg county"

Photograph used for a story in the Daily Oklahoman newspaper. Caption: "John N. Brown, above, warden at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in Mc Alester, is provided a large home, left, at taxpayer expense."

Photograph used for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company. Caption: "Rich Owen, Prison Executioner, Deceased: 2-26-48."

Photograph used for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company. Caption: "Rich Owen, Executioner at McAlester Penitentiary, Deceased: 2-26-48."

Photograph used for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company. Caption: "Rich Owen, Executioner at McAlester Penitentiary, Deceased: 2-26-48."

Photograph used for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company. Caption: "Rich Owen, Executioner at McAlester Penitentiary, Deceased: 2-26-48."

Photograph used for a story in the Oklahoma Times newspaper. Caption: "This is the huge sign at McAlester on which the city records the number of days without a traffic death in the city."

Photograph used for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company.

Photograph used for a story in the Daily Oklahoman newspaper. Caption: "Long ignored, Old Town in McAlester is shedding its role as the area's stepchild and moving toward becoming something of a tourist attraction."

Photograph used for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company. Caption: "Phyllis Siler, convict at McAlester State Prison, wife of Leon Siler, who would later escape from the prison. (companion of gang called the Bank Bandits)"

Photograph used for a story in the Oklahoma Times newspaper. Caption: "State Sen. Gene Stipe at Muskogee hearing."

Photograph used for a story in the Daily Oklahoman newspaper. Caption: "Mr. Sammons is anew resident, coming here from McAlester where he has been a prominent banker for many years."

Photograph used for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company.

Photograph used for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company.

Photograph used for a story in the Oklahoma Times newspaper. Caption: "The death suite is ready at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester."

Photograph used for a story in the Oklahoma Times newspaper. Caption: "Raymond C. Price after capture in Bennie Cravatt murder case."

Photograph used for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company. Caption: "The maximum security unit at the State penitentiary, known as "Tge Rock," looks like this these days as inmates go about the task of cleaning up after the unit was burned out by convicts last October. A federal grand jury in Muskogee is currently investigating gassings and other incidents involved in the violence which was flared from time to time in these punishment cells."

Photograph used for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company.