Primary Name: Shellhouse Hunsaker, Lucy
Filed as: shellhouse_hunsaker_lucy
Also known as: Lucy Shellhouse; Lucy Hunsaker
Occupation / Association: Housekeeper
Born: April 1885
Died: September 6, 1914, Douglas, Alaska
Parents:
Spouse: Ed Hunsaker (divorced)
Children:
Associated places: Sitka, Alaska; Chemawa, Oregon; Douglas, Alaska
Keywords: Lucy Shellhouse Hunsaker, Lucy Shellhouse, Lucy Hunsaker, Douglas Alaska residents, Ed Hunsaker, Frency Emile Senecele, Douglas Indian Cemetery
Biography
Lucy Shellhouse Hunsaker was born in April 1885. She was educated at the mission school in Sitka and at Chemawa. As an adult, she worked as a housekeeper.
Her divorce from Ed Hunsaker was granted at the Juneau courthouse shortly before her death.
On the evening of September 6, 1914, Lucy was walking through the Douglas Indian settlement with Frency Emile Senecele. Around 10:00 p.m., they encountered Hunsaker, who called Senecele a vile name and attempted to strike him with a billy club. Senecele, described as a large and powerful man, defended himself and took the club away, throwing it onto the beach. Hunsaker repeatedly renewed the attack and was knocked down several times.
Hunsaker then drew a revolver and fired, the bullet striking Senecele just below the left breast. He fell dead. When Lucy leaned over him, Hunsaker aimed the revolver at the back of her head and fired again. She collapsed beside Senecele and died instantly.
After the shootings, Hunsaker returned to his cabin and locked the door. When officers later arrived and forced entry, they found him dead on the floor from a gunshot wound to the head, apparently self-inflicted.
Lucy Shellhouse Hunsaker died at the age of 29 on September 6, 1914, in Douglas, Alaska. She was buried in the Douglas Indian Cemetery.
Sources
Tags: Lucy Shellhouse Hunsaker, Lucy Hunsaker, Lucy Shellhouse, Douglas Alaska residents, Ed Hunsaker, Frency Emile Senecele, Douglas Indian Cemetery