Al Hunter’s Story Archive

Billy the Kid’s Indiana Connection: Billy and Lew Wallace, Part 3

This story first appeared July 23, 2010. In the autumn of 1878, former Union Army general Lew Wallace became Governor of New Mexico in the volatile Indian Territory. In an attempt to restore peace to Lincoln County, Wallace offered amnesty to any man involved in the Lincoln County War. That … Read More

Billy the Kid’s Indiana Connection: A shotgun full of silver dimes, Part 2

This story first appeared July 16, 2010. United States Marshall Ameredith Robert B. Olinger (alias “Pecos Bob,” alias “The Big Indian”) was killed on April 28, 1881 outside of the Lincoln County Courthouse by legendary outlaw and fellow Hoosier Billy the Kid with the Marshall’s own gun. A double barrel … Read More

Billy the Kid’s Indiana Connection, Part 1

This story first appeared July 9, 2010. William H. Bonney, alias “Billy the Kid,” is the most misunderstood historical figure of the Old West. Unlike most Wild West outlaws, he was not a cold-blooded killer, he was not a train robber and he didn’t rob banks. He was a gunfighter … Read More

What REALLY Happened to the H.H. Holmes House?, Part 2

This column originally appeared in the Oct. 20, 2017 issue of the Weekly View. Having led ghost tours in Irvington for the past 15 years, I’ve learned a lot about this community’s history, her people and it’s folklore. That learning process continues every time I walk the streets and sidewalks … Read More

Spend the Night with America’s First Serial Killer, Part 1

When you write about history (like me) it is not often that you get the chance to make an impactful announcement (or “scoop”) about an event that took place over a 125 years ago. If you’ve ever had a desire to take a walk on the darker side of Irvington … Read More