Home > New Zealand > Otago > Dunedin City > Dunedin > Green Island Cemetery > Blanche Hamilton Walker

Blanche Hamilton Walker

1 / 1

❮ ❯

Blanche Hamilton Walker

Birth	:	1902
Death	:	26 Oct 1931
Burial	:	Green Island Cemetery, Dunedin, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate	:	-45.9053993, 170.4362030
Description	:	Crossville Chronicle November 5, 1931 The shocking crime that came to light Thursday of last week disclosing the charred bodies of Mr & Mrs Ease Walker has aroused so much interest that the Chronicle is reprinting the report from the Chattanooga Times of Friday, October 30th: Jim Hamilton, 45 and his wife, about 45, were held in Bledsoe County jail tonight without bond in connection with the murder of Mr & Mrs Ease Walker, both about 35, whose charred bodies were found in ashes about 1/2 mile from the Hamilton home today. The double slaying, described by Sheriff Thomas J Swafford as the most gruesome in the history of the... Read More	Crossville Chronicle November 5, 1931 The shocking crime that came to light Thursday of last week disclosing the charred bodies of Mr & Mrs Ease Walker has aroused so much interest that the Chronicle is reprinting the report from the Chattanooga Times of Friday, October 30th: Jim Hamilton, 45 and his wife, about 45, were held in Bledsoe County jail tonight without bond in connection with the murder of Mr & Mrs Ease Walker, both about 35, whose charred bodies were found in ashes about 1/2 mile from the Hamilton home today. The double slaying, described by Sheriff Thomas J Swafford as the most gruesome in the history of the county, is alleged to have occurred Tuesday and the bodies burned that night in a pile of rotting timbers scattered around an abandoned sawmill. The tragedy occurred on Cumberland Mountain, 16 miles from Pikeville. Walker and his wife were last seen alive Tuesday afternoon by their 3 small children when they left their home to search for some cows that had strayed. The cows were found in Hamilton's cornfield, 1/2 mile away, where the double slaying is alleged to have occurred. Mrs Walker was a niece of Hamilton and it was recalled by the sheriff today that Hamilton killed the woman's father 10 years ago. That victim was Robert Hamilton, brother of Jim, and the killer escaped punishment when he proved that he killed his brother in self-defense. In jail tonight, both Hamiltons were stoic, refusing to admit guilt or maintain innocence, the sherriff stated. However, the jury of Coroner A F Goforth this afternoon formally charged that Mr and Mrs Walker came to their deaths at the hands of Hamilton. Identification of the bodies was made through dental work by Dr F E Beck of Pikeville, who said that he had done considerable dental work for the Walkers and recognized his work. A large Masonic ring which Walker has worn for many years was also found in the ashes. The sheriff said tonight that his investigation had brought to light an 'unbreakable chain' of evidence against Hamilton, and that the two would be formally charged with murder before they are given a preliminary hearing next week. The sheriff's investigation revealed that: First - Bad blood had existed between Walker and Hamilton for some time. 2 weeks ago, Walker shot Hamilton, inflicting a minor wound. Hamilton had Walker arrested on charges of felonious assault and the case is pending in court. Second - When the sheriff started to investigate the disappearance of the two , he went to Hamilton's house and Hamilton assisted in the search. However, Hamilton led the posse in a direction opposite the cornfield and sawmill. Third - Wagon tracks were found today to be leading from the Hamilton home to the cornfield, then to the spot where the bodies were burned, and from there back to the Hamilton house. These tracks appeared to be about 2 days old. Another link against Hamilton is the fact that Walker's children went to Hamilton Wednesday morning and asked him to help search for their parents. He did not do so, and the sheriff's office was not notified of the disappearance until the children were taken to their grandmother's house by another of Walker's neighbors, a man named Burgess. The grandmother, Mrs Mary Lou Hamilton, widow of the brother Hamilton slew 10 years ago, informed the sheriff of the disappearance. It is the theory of Sheriff Swafford that Hamilton found Walker and his wife in his cornfield, that he slew them and waited until night to move the bodies. After dark, the sheriff believes Hamilton and his wife drove to the spot in their wagon, loaded the bodies and took them to the abandoned mill. Both the families were well known in Bledsoe County. About 2 years ago, Sheriff Swafford recalled Hamilton killed another man, Lewis Bowman, while Hamilton was acting as deputy sheriff in a liquor raid. At that time, T Y Swafford was sheriff. Bowman is said to have made a move that Hamilton thought was false and Hamilton shot the man through the temple, killing him instantly. No charges were ever brought against him for this killing. The Hamiltons have no children. Mr and Mrs Walker have 3: Dorothy, 11; Virginia, 7; and a 4-month old infant. The remains of the Walkers were brought to Pikeville this afternoon and funeral arrangements will be planned tomorrow.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Blanche Hamilton Walker's memorial?
Blanche Hamilton Walker's memorial is located at: Green Island Cemetery, Dunedin, Dunedin City, New Zealand.
When did Blanche Hamilton Walker death?
Blanche Hamilton Walker death on 26 Oct 1931 in
Where are the coordinates of the Blanche Hamilton Walker's memorial?
Latitude: -45.9053993
Longitude: 170.4362030

Family Members:

Parent

John Robert Hamilton

(1874 - 1922)

Mary Lou Parks Hamilton

(1881 - 1972)

Spouse

Ease Thomas Walker

(1900 - 1931)

Siblings

Eliza Hamilton Burgess

(1908 - 1937)

Ruby Hamilton

(1921 - 1980)

Children

Dorothy Hamilton Moody

(1923 - 2007)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Green Island Cemetery
Dunedin, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.9053993, 170.4362030

2. Dunedin Cemetery
Dunedin, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.9107460, 170.4568290

3. Green Park Cemetery
Dunedin, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.9277030, 170.3861690

4. Southern Cemetery
Dunedin, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.8891400, 170.4954200

5. Arthur Street Cemetery
Dunedin, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.8734870, 170.4946020

6. St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral
Dunedin, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.8735050, 170.5020710

7. St John's Roslyn Anglican Church
Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.8648800, 170.4928800

8. East Taieri Cemetery
Mosgiel, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.8909640, 170.3464470

9. Andersons Bay Cemetery
Andersons Bay, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.9044940, 170.5326960

10. Otago Provincial Memorial
Andersons Bay, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.9048580, 170.5332830

11. Dunedin Crematorium
Andersons Bay, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.9055130, 170.5362150

12. Northern Cemetery
Dunedin, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.8613730, 170.5237920

13. MacAndrew Bay Cemetery
Dunedin, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.8690690, 170.5983290

14. Allanton Cemetery
Allanton, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.9153400, 170.2599100

15. Airlie Bank Cemetery
Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.8615162, 170.6083167

16. Broad Bay Cemetery
Dunedin, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.8449520, 170.6245610

17. McDermid Private Cemetery
Sawyers Bay, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.8167381, 170.6000223

18. Port Chalmers Old Cemetery
Port Chalmers, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.8146160, 170.6196810

19. Quarantine Island Cemetery
Port Chalmers, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.8284400, 170.6337300

20. Port Chalmers New Cemetery
Port Chalmers, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.8106110, 170.6214580

21. Portobello Cemetery
Dunedin, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.8393200, 170.6542400

22. West Taieri Cemetery
Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.8525750, 170.2037940

23. Otokia Cemetery
Dunedin, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.9611740, 170.1987790

24. Waitati Cemetery
Waitati, Dunedin City, New Zealand
Coordinate: -45.7541100, 170.5803900