Reward Poster For An Escape From Western Penitentiary, Allegheny, Pa

O'MARA, ROGER [ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE]

Publication: Department 0f Public Safety, Bureau of Police, 1890, Pittsburgh

This is a 10" x 7 1/4" reward posted that is pasted onto a piece of cardboard with the message: $200 REWARD! ESCAPE FROM WESTERN PENITENTIARY, ALLEGHENY, PA. "A $100 REWARD each, will be paid for the arrest and detention of PADDY McGRAW and JAMES DOBSON who broke away from the Western Penitentiary, in Allegheny City, on the evening of November 28th, 1890."

A complete description of Paddy McGraw and James Dobson are provided with a picture of Paddy McGraw provided. This appears to be a "mock-up" with all pertinent information typed and pasted on a stiff paper board and then used as a template for producing the needed wanted posters. On the verso is a similar "mock-up" by Porter's National Detective Agency of Nashville, Tennessee offering a reward leading to the arrest of John W. Cullen.

Roger O'Mara was Pittsburgh's top cop at the turn of the twentieth century. His long career as a policeman and private detective, coupled with his flair for publicity, made him one of the most well-known law enforcement figures in the United States during his lifetime. He recounted his cases in newspaper features, and his exploits inspired many a detective story in dime-novel crime fiction.

The presentation of the poster is a bit shabby but overall a good and serviceable copy of an interesting reward poster.