Fun conversation with Dave Taylor about Doc Temple & Osborn Oldroyd.
Published by Alan E. Hunter- Irvington
Alan E. Hunter’s column, “Bumps in the Night”, has run on the front page of the Weekly View / Eastside Voice / Eastside Herald newspaper in Irvington on the east side of Indianapolis since 2007. Al’s Pop culture-based articles have been the genesis of several national and local television and radio programs over the years spurring programs on subjects as varied as John Dillinger, Abraham Lincoln, Charles Manson, the ABA Indiana Pacers, and Burger Chef to the mysterious disappearance of ABA star John Brisker and all points in between. Alan E. Hunter is the author of the books “The Petersen House, the Oldroyd Museum and the House Where Lincoln Died“, “Thursdays with Doc. Dr. Wayne C. Temple’s recollections on Springfield and Lincoln“, “Osborn H. Oldroyd: Keeper of the Lincoln Flame“, and has co-authored two books on the Historic Indiana National Road. Al has researched, scripted, and led the Irvington Ghost Walks since 2002. Al’s tours are roughly 75% history and 25 % ghost stories and folklore. These non-profit tours raise much-needed funds for the Eastside Irvington community. In addition, Al has led similar tours in Greenfield and Cambridge City on the Historic National Road. Al is a former Vice-President and board member of the Indiana National Road Association. Al served as the historian and event coordinator for the Dropping Dimes Foundation which aids the former players of the ABA (American Basketball Association). Al also organized both the 30-year reunion of the ABA held at the Hoosier Dome in 1997 and the 50-year reunion of the ABA festivities at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on the campus of Butler University on Saturday, April 7, 2018. Al has co-authored two books on haunted Irvington. In 2013, Al published a compilation of his “Bumps in the Night” articles selected from his column in the Weekly View newspaper. Al also wrote a book on “Haunted Indianapolis” and most recently, a book on the H.H. Holmes relic collection for the benefit of the Irvington Historic Society and the Bona Thompson Memorial Center. The relics detailed in the books were featured in the History Channel 8-part series “American Ripper.” Al and his wife Rhonda appeared in 3 of the segments alongside the Great-great-grandson Jeff Mudgett. Al was featured in the November 21, 2018, episode of Mysteries at the Museum with Don Wildman where he detailed a scalpel used by America’s first serial killer, H.H. Holmes, in Irvington. Al was also featured in the October 9, 2019, episode of Ghost Adventures with Zak Bagans in which he detailed the history of the H.H. Holmes house in Irvington. Over the decade, Al has led talks and programs in Irvington that have collected food and personal care items for the Irvington homeless shelter, gathering well over a ton of food, clothing, and personal care goods for distribution. A former teacher and baseball coach at Westfield High School, Al graduated from Indiana University and has been married to his wife Rhonda since 1989. They have 2 children, Jasmine and Addison. View all posts by Alan E. Hunter- Irvington
Alan E. Hunter 
Hi Alan…..this is my third attempt in getting this to you ; I just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying your Oldroyd book……I am about half way through and can’t put it down……I am an avid Lincoln collector …and reader…….I have read over 600 books (including your Petersen House book) and I am having a tough time putting this one down…….I have a 14 x 20 Lincoln Shed in my backyard that houses my small museum’ between the shed and the Lincoln Den , that my wife tolerates , I have over 3000 items……nothing like the amazing relics that you own but cool enough to invite local students interested in history and/or Lincoln to come take a tour…..I also own Gilbert’s Sports Nostalgia , the second oldest store of it’s kind in MA………if you ever would like any basketball cards from Michael Jordan to Wendell Ladner , please let me know……and if you are ever in the Boston area would love to show you the collection , the store…..and talk all things Lincoln …or basketball……glad I discovered this site….and I expect to get your Doc Temple book any day…once done these two books will make great additions to the “museum”……you have provided much Lincoln information that I never knew was available and it is a great read……I have come to know and be a fan of Dave Taylor….and it’s recent praise of these two books that led me to you…..another terrific contributor to Lincoln /Booth lore…………many thanks……..and stay well…….Gary Gilbert…….gg1527gg3@yahoo.com……..Gilbert’s Sports Nostalgia …..Natick , MA 01760
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Gary-
Great to hear from you. I am pleased that you are enjoying my Oldroyd book. He was such a fascinating man. Should I ever find myself in Boston, I will take you up on a visit to your Lincoln museum. I am still in touch with Neto (Bob Netolicky) regularly. Like Abraham Lincoln, the ABA is like an old friend to me.
Alan E. Hunter
Weekly View
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I’ll see if I have any Netolicky cards hanging around; the ABA was so much fun …..and the three point shot kept me playing until I was 56 …the old point guard skills and speed had faded but I could still stick the corner jumper…….In the spirit of Oldroyd , I’d be happy to send you any “freebies” I can find…….I was a big Don Buse fan in the day…..one question I had for you; the photo of you emerging from the “catacomb” of the Lincoln Tomb….where exactly was that?…and how did you manage to get in?……on our last trip my daughter actually used the Lincoln Tomb bathroom…..and saw many mystery doors within……we are making our 4th pilgrimage in June …..and I’m anticipating the need of a restroom……please let me know if there any ABA guys you’d like cards of; it would be a pleasure for me to stick them in the mail for you………Oldroyd is just moving into the Petersen House as I read…can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying it…….much thanks…….Gary
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Gary-Neto would certainly appreciate seeing his old cards. As for Boo-Boo aka Don Buse, he’s still alive and kicking down in Southern Indiana at his Huntingburg home. He was a great one and remains a very humble, nice man. The photo you speak of was taken a decade ago back when I was close to the Lincoln Tomb custodian & assistant custodian, both of whom have retired now. I was there doing a story on the great tomb robbery on an anniversary date.
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