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Author Biography
Al Hunter writes a front page story about historical figures and happenings with a ghostly twist...
Alan E. Hunter has researched, scripted and lead the Irvington Ghost Walks for the past 20 years. The tours are roughly 75 percent history and 25 percent ghost stories and folklore. These non-profit tours raise funds for the Eastside Irvington community and related charities.
Al Hunter is the author of the “Haunted Indianapolis” and co-author of the “Haunted Irvington” and “Indiana National Road” book series. His newest books are “Bumps in the Night. Stories from the Weekly View,” “Irvington Haunts. The Tour Guide,” and “The Mystery of the H.H. Holmes Collection.” Contact Al directly at Huntvault@aol.com or become a friend on Facebook.
Al Hunter’s Story Archive
Harry Houdini and Abraham Lincoln
This column originally appeared in June 2017. Magician Harry Houdini had a very unlikely boyhood hero — a hero adored by a generation before Houdini’s 1874 birth and a hero worshiped by generations hence. Harry Houdini’s hero was Abraham Lincoln. Houdini’s devotion to Lincoln could be found on stage during … Read More
Nazi Ideology on the Eastside; a Contnuance
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
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
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
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