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1919. "District of Columbia. Various views at D.C. Jail." Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. View full size.
Looking into the eyes of the person on the right is very moving. Almost makes your soul shift with sadness.
When I saw this, my eyes immediately teared. This is one of the most powerful and poignant photos I have ever seen, especially on Shorpy. I have been following Shorpy for about two years now. Amazing.
Women's prison garb has never been particularly attractive. Here's Belva Annan in 1924. You've never heard of her? She was the most famous murderess of 1924 and her trial was the basis of the musical "Chicago."
I just stare while my mind imagines (or tries to) the sad possibilities. Very moving.
This is one of the sadder photos I've seen on here. I wonder what heinous crimes these two were accused of. The shoes they are wearing are definitely a crime. The woman with the book, her shoes are too small, and the other woman's shoes are way too big.
How many jailhouse photos have you shown featuring white people? I don't ever remember seeing any.
[Then you're not looking (or remembering) very hard. - Dave]
This is the first time Shorpy has made me cry.
Wow. What an interesting juxtaposition between this picture and the previous post, "White Wedding."
These are either faces of dignity under persecution or faces of the totally reprobate. I am glad I am not their judge.
I will be seeing these two people in my mind for the rest of my life.
I'll bet white women in the D.C. jail for similar offenses probably had better shoes.
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