Reward Postcards and Their Stories with Jim Potter

Name: Reward Postcards and Their Stories with Jim Potter
Start: 2025-09-25T14:00:00-05:00
Location: 901 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS, United States, Kansas 67501

Schedule

Thu, 25 Sep, 2025 at 02:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

901 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS, United States, Kansas 67501 | Hutchinson, KS

Before mugshots and digital alerts there were postcards – and we’re not talking about the kind you send from your favorite vacation spot!
Long before the internet, social media, and even telephones, the postal service was the lifeline of communication. And when it came to catching criminals? They got creative.
Imagine checking your mail to find a reward postcard – complete with a sketchy description of a wanted outlaw and a tempting cash prize. These cards were the original “WANTED” posters spreading the word one stamp at a time.
While they were deadly serious back then, reading them today is a whole different experience. The dramatic phrasing, the oddly specific details such as “has a limp and a fondness for pickled eggs” or, in the case of one of Jim’s favorite postcards, “pronounced Morph*ne eater. The idea of receiving one in your mailbox? It’s a little bit wild—and a lot entertaining.
Jim Potter, local author and retired deputy sheriff, has spent years collecting and researching these curious pieces of history. In his engaging presentation, He’ll share the stories behind these postcards, the people they pursued, and the communities they lived in. It’s part true-crime, part historic nostalgia, and 100% captivating.
Whether you are history buff, a fan of quirky ephemera, or just love a good story, this is an event you won’t want to miss! You may even receive a free postcard of your own.
Register Here: https://www.hutchpl.org/event/reward-postcards-and-their-stories-with-jim-potter/