by Laurel | November 23rd, 2011
This Walker family had strong connections to Holyoke particularly to the Houston, Gow, Wilson and McEwan families — both the Walkers and Houstons, Scottish immigrants, had family living in Holyoke and South Hadley. George Walker was my second cousin once removed. As always, it is a shame to see a young life cut short, no matter how long ago.
South Hadley High School Yearbook Image, 1933
November 23, 1936
George Walker, 20, of South Hadley Fourth Victim in Year — No Clues Left by Fleeing Motorist.
South Hadley — George Walker, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Walker of the Amherst Road, was instantly killed last night at about 6:45 on Amherst road about 300 yards from his home when struck by a hit and run driver. He suffered a broken neck and a fracture at the base of the skull but otherwise his body was not marked.
The young man was walking south on the road to attend services at the First Congregational church when the accident occurred. He was found dead by George Fero of 104 Powell street, Hartford, CT, a passing motorist.
Fero notified Officer Joseph Edge who called in Medical Examiner Henry E. Doonan. Dr. Doonan made an examination of the body at the scene and ordered it removed to the Alger funeral home. Walker was identified by Quincy Bagg, chairman of the local board of selectmen, who passed the scene a few moments after the accident.
No Clues Are Found
Chief of police John J. Sullivan and State Highway Inspector Harry Foran started an investigation but no one saw the accident and no clues were found. Police believe that Walker was walking on the westerly side of the road toward Mount Holyoke College and was struck by the left front fender of the death car, thought to have been going in the same direction.
Walker’s body was hurled with terrific force into a gravel bank. It then rolled back to the side of the highway where it was seen by the Connecticut motorist. A confusing fact is that the right leg of Walker’s trousers had a long tear in them.
Tonight’s accident was the third fatality since November 1 and the fourth this year. It is a coincidence that the last three accidents have been on Sundays. The third accident, last Sunday, was also a hit and run case. The driver was arrested after a 2 1/2 day investigation by Chief Sullivan and State Inspector Foran. The driver of that car was sentenced to two months in jail.
Young Walker was well known in town. He was a graduate of South Hadley High School and was employed at the Stony Brook division of the American Tissue Mills. Besides his parents he leaves three sisters, Margaret of Miami, FL, Isabelle and Ann, and three brothers, David, Jr., Walter and William, all of South Hadley.
Adapted from The Springfield Republican.
