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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
Tragedy in the Heartland
This column originally appeared in the September 18, 2009 issue. The Indianapolis metro area experienced its worst air disaster ever on September 9, 1969. On that overcast Hoosier Tuesday, an Allegheny Airlines DC-9 and a private plane collided in midair over Shelby County, just southeast of the city near Beech … Read More
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