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Rusted Pistol
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| Accession #: | 3655.1 |
|---|---|
| Title: | Rusted Pistol |
| Object Type: | Pistol |
| Participants: | |
| Physical Description: | Small, metal pistol; the body and frame of handle highly oxidized and the handle is missing. |
| Description: | Pend Oreille County Sheriff Tony Bamonte uncovered a strange deathbed confession in 1989. It happened as he investigated the unsolved 1935 murder of Newport Town Marshal George Conniff. Although five decades had passed, Bamonte tracked down those involved, who by then were in their 80s and 90s. His research became an obsession as he untangled a web of police crimes and a massive cover-up. During a Spokane River drawdown on August 22, 1989, he found the murder weapon, this corroded pistol, just where policemen said they had dropped it. Bamonte's compelling story caught the attention of author Timothy Egan, whose best-selling book, "Breaking Blue," gave a vivid account of Depression-era Spokane. |
| Category: | History |
| Subjects/Topics/Concepts: |
Firearms (Tools & Equipment), Law Enforcement (Industry)
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| Dimensions: |
Object L x W 6 1/2 x 3 3/4"
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| Materials/Techniques: |
metal (Material)
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| Related Exhibits: | |
| Credit Line: | Gift of Tony Bamonte, 1992 |
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