Article Archives: Bumps in the Night

Nazi Ideology on the Eastside; a Contnuance

June 19, 2025 | by Al Hunter

Last March, I wrote a two-part article on Eastsider Charles Soltau, the “Nazi at Arsenal Tech”. This Saturday (June 21st) at noon, I will revisit those articles on Nelson Price’s “Hoosier History Live” radio show WICR 88.7 FM. Nelson, a longtime friend of Irvington, has a personal connection to that … Read More

Grave Goods — You Can’t Take It With You

June 12, 2025 | by Al Hunter

This column first appeared in May 2016. Grave goods, in archaeology and anthropology, are defined as items buried along with the body. In ancient times, grave goods were seen as offerings to the gods. In modern times, they are usually personal possessions or supplies designed to smooth the deceased’s journey … Read More

The Hilton Sisters-Vaudeville’s Beautiful Siamese Twins, Part 2

May 29, 2025 | by Al Hunter

In the Roaring Twenties, the Hilton Sisters were the darlings of vaudeville. That circuit ran straight through the heart of Indianapolis. Violet and Daisy Hilton were conjoined twins who were abandoned by a single mother and sold to a Brighton, Sussex, England, saloon matron who subjected them to years of … Read More

The Hilton Sisters-Vaudeville’s Beautiful Siamese Twins

May 22, 2025 | by Al Hunter

I recently ran across a five-dollar box of sheet music at an antique show. Seems like nobody wants sheet music anymore. I suppose, like recipe books, almanacs, TV guides, and car manuals, they are seen as obsolete nowadays. It turned out to be a fun, if not so valuable, box … Read More

Foul Ball!

May 15, 2025 | by Al Hunter

Last week I ran a story about Cleveland Indians phenom Bob Feller’s pitched foul ball that hit and injured his mother during a game against the White Sox at old Comiskey Park in Chicago. That got me thinking about other foul ball stories and legends I’d heard about. Growing up, … Read More