Fort Walla Walla Museum's Living Historians bring history to life, portraying real people from Walla Walla's past.

Herbert Niccolls, Jr. was the youngest inmate ever incarcerated at the Washington State Penitentiary. Born into a troubled family, his grandmother gained custody of the boy and often beat him and deprived him of food "because of his sins.”

At age 12, Herbert ran away.

What followed was a drama that would gain national attention; his story included years in the penitentiary, a diploma from Walla Walla High School, and an eventual career as an accounting executive for Twentieth Century Fox.

The aging Mr. Niccolls will be portrayed by Chuck Hindman.