Primary Name: Senecele, Emilie “Frenchie”

Filed as: Senecele, Emilie

Also known as: Frenchie Senecele

Occupation / Association: Soldier, U.S. Army 16th Infantry; Canteen Saloon employee

Associated places: Massachusetts; Fort Seward, Alaska; Douglas, Alaska

Keywords: Emilie Senecele, Frenchie Senecele, Douglas Alaska 1914 shooting, Canteen Saloon Douglas Alaska, Fort Seward soldiers, Ed Hunsaker shooting Douglas, Lucy Shellhouse Hunsaker

Biography

Emilie “Frenchie” Senecele was a native of Massachusetts. Prior to coming to Douglas, Alaska, he served as a member of the 16th Infantry stationed at Fort Seward.

After leaving military service, he moved to Douglas, Alaska, where he was employed at the Canteen Saloon.

On the evening of September 6, 1914, Senecele was walking through the Indian settlement in Douglas with Lucy Shellhouse Hunsaker, the former wife of Ed Hunsaker. The two encountered Hunsaker around 10:00 p.m. According to accounts, Hunsaker confronted Senecele, insulted him, and attempted to strike him with a billy club.

Senecele, described as a large and powerful man, disarmed Hunsaker and threw the club aside. Hunsaker continued to attack him, but Senecele knocked him down several times during the altercation.

Hunsaker then drew a revolver and fired, the bullet striking Senecele just below the left breast. He collapsed and died almost immediately. When Lucy Hunsaker leaned over him, Hunsaker fired again, striking her in the back of the head. She fell beside Senecele and died at the scene.

Following the shooting, Hunsaker returned to his cabin and locked himself inside. When officers later forced entry, they found that he had taken his own life with a gunshot wound to the head.

Funeral services for Emilie “Frenchie” Senecele were held at the Congregational Church. He was buried in the Douglas Cemetery.

Sources

Find-A-Grave