Altagracia de Otero and the Yuma Territorial Prison

Life inside the dark rock women's cell at the Yuma Territorial Prison was not easy, even for a man. The women incarcerated at the prison were an eclectic bunch. Murderers and a stage coach robber were held inside the rock cell.

By modern standards, there were lesser crimes that landed one woman in the cell. Her name was Altagracia de Otero. She was convicted of selling whiskey to Indians. One pint each, two separate offenses. Her crime was punishable by 60 days in prison.

[Image: inside of the Yuma Territorial Prison Women's Rock Cell]

An article by Jay Eby reported that H. M. Van Arman - the defacto interim governor of the Territory of Arizona - pardoned Altagracia. The pardon occurred after Altagracia spent many sleepless nights inside the cell's dark quarters. According to Eby, there is no record for Van Arman's authority as governor. Her pardon remains a mystery.

Altagracia was the oldest woman to ever serve time at the Arizona Territorial Prison.

[Image: view looking out from inside the Women's Rock Cell at the Yuma Territorial Prison]

Sources:
Chronicling America. The Arizona Sentinel. October 23, 1886.
Prescottcorral.org., John Gosper, Arizona’s Would-be Governor
by Jay W. Eby. http://prescottcorral.org/TT11/11pages21-24.pdf
Photographs by Diana DeLugan

#Yuma Territorial Prison, #Otero, #Arizona History