Article Archives: Bumps in the Night

Mailing May, Part 2

February 27, 2014 | by Al Hunter

Some stories just seem to have their own serendipitous rhythm. This is one of those stories. Last week I told you about the development of the United States Parcel Post service and how it changed the face of rural America and created mail order empires along the way. In between … Read More

Mailing May, Part 1

February 20, 2014 | by Al Hunter

A friend of mine from Chicago, Wally Dworak, recently gave me an excellent idea for a story. I’m not going to give away the punchline, but the gist of the idea revolves around the United States Postal Service and the history of Parcel Post. Wait, wait, before you roll your … Read More

Your Connection to Indianapolis Jazz this Weekend

February 13, 2014 | by Al Hunter

“Through these portals pass the world’s finest musicians” read the sign above Henri’s bar on Indiana Avenue. A Who’s Who of jazz history walked under that sign, including music legends like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughan, Billy Eckstine, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway, Louis Jourdan, … Read More

The Feral Cats of Disneyland

February 6, 2014 | by Al Hunter

At last count, there were 35 official Walt Disney cats. Figaro, Lucifer, Cheshire, Bagheera, Shere Khan, Thomas O’Malley, Duchess, Tigger, Rufus, Oliver, Dinah, Mufasa, Simba, Nala, Scar, all of those Aristocats and who can forget Si and Am from Lady and the Tramp? “We are Siamese if you please.” (There’s … Read More

Richard Lawrence and Old Hickory

January 30, 2014 | by Al Hunter

Who is Richard Lawrence and why should you care? In the next few minutes I’ll introduce you to him, but as for caring, I’ll leave that up to you. Richard Lawrence was a house painter by trade. More importantly, he was the first known person to attempt to assassinate a … Read More