James H. Dunker (1936-1954)

The following 1954 newspaper article was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:

Hub Youth Victim of Shotgun Accident

Hub Police Chief Geo. Knight said the youths were in Alyea's bedroom when Dunker noticed the 12 gauge shotgun hanging on the wall and asked to examine it.

As Alyea handed it over, the gun discharged, fatally wounding Dunker in the neck. He was dead when Dr. Donald DuSold of Crown Point arrived.

Alyea's mother, Mrs. Marjorie Estes, was in the living room when the fatal shot rang through the house and help was summoned immediately.

This article, hand-identified as being from the Dec. 30, 1954, Times, was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:

HUB YOUTH KILLED ON BIRTHDAY

Shotgun Goes Off Accidentally at Friend's Home

He was James H. Dunker, 18, of 154 N. Main St., Crown Point High School senior who had gone to the home of William Alyea, 17, of 127 N. Main St.

Police Chief George Knight said the youths were in Alyea's bedroom when Dunker noticed a 12-gauge shotgun hanging on the wall and asked to examine it.

As Alyea handed it over, the gun discharged, fatally wounding Dunker in the neck. He was dead when Dr. Donald DuSold of Crown Point arrived.

ALYESA's mother, Mrs. Marjorie Estes was sitting in the front living room of the upstairs apartment when the gun went off, according to Knight. She ran to the rear bedroom when she heard the shot. The physician was called by John R. Lynch, owner of the house, who also heard the shot from his first floor apartment.

Young Dunker was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Dunker, His father operates a drapery shop in Crown Point.

The body is in the Geisen Funeral Home, 109 N. East St., Crown Point. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Last updated on February 19, 2007.

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James H. Dunker (1936-1954)