Tag Archives: real life

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Rigid wrist restraint for Lewis Thornton Powell

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This is a famous picture of Lewis Thornton Powell, who was one of the people arrested after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in 1865:

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This is an early police mugshot of Powell (also known as Lewis Paine or Payne), who was one of the people put on trial and later executed for taking part in the conspiracy to kill the 16th president of the United States. What I like about this picture, of course, is the rigid wrist restraint he’s locked in.

According to the website A Little Touch Of History, strict security measures were put in to place during the trial, including the use of canvas hoods for the prisoners, to prevent them from talking with each other.

During the trial, the Military Governor showed compassion towards the prisoners and said the inmates who wore the canvas hoods could be allowed to take them off — EXCEPT for Powell, because “The hood didn’t seem to bother him as much as the others.”

Powell and George Atzerodt were also reportedly restrained with a ball and chain, although I was not able to find pictures of the ball and chain.

Here are more pictures of the restraints, and a shot of Powell just before the execution:

 

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Maui prison

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When I was in Hawaii recently I visited the Hale Pa’ahao prison on Maui. It was quite different from Alcatraz.  Much more relaxed.  It’s on the West Maui town of Lahaina, down a side street off the main drag where all the tourist shops are. It was interesting to see such a quaint, pleasant building — and of course they have a big palm tree out in front.  The outer walls are made of coral.

With all the whaling going on there in the 1850s, apparently they needed a place to lock up the rowdy sailors who had too much to drink.  But conditions weren’t very harsh at all, and the offenses for which you could get locked up for were relatively minor.  About the worst thing you could get in trouble for was “disturbing the quiet of the night” or “lascivious conduct.”

The prison rules were relatively mild as well. But check out Rule No. 14 … now THAT one sounds interesting!

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Tying the knot

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Do you like to tie knots? I sure do! But you know that.

I am not only interested in the literal kind of knots involving rope, but also the figurative kind. That’s right, I’m talking marriage. Tying the knot. Entering into wedlock. The old ball and chain. Conjugal bonds. You get the idea.

This week I attended the wedding of my good friends Alan and Dave. They happen to live in one of the few states where same-sex couples are able to marry.

Unfortunately, most gays and lesbians in this country are not allowed to marry under the laws of the states in which they happen to reside. Even worse, federal legislation enacted by the U.S Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996 bars any federal recognition of same-sex marriage and prevents any of the legal rights afforded to opposite-sex married couples from being granted to same-sex partners.

That means same-sex couples in long-term, committed relationships have to have to jump through all sorts of legal hoops for things like signing up for each other’s health insurance.  If you are a same-sex couple who wants to file a joint federal tax return – even in a state where same-sex marriage is not illegal — you’re out of luck. And don’t even think of leaving your Social Security benefits — which you have worked your whole life to accrue — to one another when one of you dies. What we have is anti-gay discrimination. And it is wrong.

EVERYONE should have the right to TIE THE KNOT.

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Congratulations, Alan and Dave, on your marriage! I am so happy for you both, and I am completely 100% supportive of you and of your civil rights.

Daily Thread

Houdini

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Harry Houdini certainly got locked up in a lot of metal.  And while this website is dedicated to keeping men locked in metal and UNABLE TO ESCAPE, I felt it was only appropriate to feature the great magician today.  After all, Houdini had chosen HALLOWEEN as the day he was going to make contact from the other side. He never did. Nevertheless, in honor of the great Harry Houdini, I present these classic photographs:

Personal message from Metalbond to Harry Houdini (whispering): Mr. Houdini, Sir, if you are reading this blog, I want you to know that you are feel free to contact me tonight in my sleep.  Shhhh, don’t tell anyone.  Those people who held all those séances — well, listen, they just didn’t understand you the way that I do.  I share your interest in locking metal — I have lots of handcuffs and other metal restraints here — and I also have a healthy appreciation for your impressive physique that I know you always enjoyed showing off.  So come on, make your presence known in my apartment tonight.  You and me, mister.  It will be hot.