Polk County in Iowa

Des Moines in Polk County

Carlisle G. Hunter

Homicide

Carlisle G. “Lyle” Hunter
30 YOA
Des Moines, IA
Polk County
November 22, 1919

By Nancy Bowers

In the early hours of Saturday, November 22, 1919, Des Moines Police found 30-year-old Carlisle Hunter lying unconscious in a downtown alley.

Because he appeared intoxicated, Hunter was taken to the Police Station. When blood was found on his clothing, police discovered he was shot once in the back and once under the right arm.

Hunter, who was from Guthrie Center, was taken to Samaritan Hospital, where he died a few days later.

Hunter and a companion, Guthrie Center implement dealer Joe Selby, were in Des Moines for the evening when the tragedy occurred. Police detained Selby in connection with the case, but later determined the shooting was related to a robbery.

The Life of Carlisle Hunter

Carlisle G. Hunter, also known as “Lyle” and “Lysle,” was born in Guthrie County on March 30, 1887 to Ida F. Burten and John Hunter, Sr., who were both of Irish extraction. He had six brothers — John, Jr., Connaught, Charles, Duke, Leon, Randall Hunter — as well as four sisters, Grace, Bonnie, Jenny, and Marie Hunter.

Courtesy photo findagrave.com

Union Cemetery, where Carlisle Hunter is buried.

Carlisle Hunter was buried in Union Cemetery in Guthrie County.

Information and questions about the 1919 unsolved murder of Carlisle G. Hunter should be directed to the Des Moines Police Department at 515-283-4824 or Iowa Cold Cases through the Contact form.

Sources:

• “Guthrie Center Man Near Death,” Cedar Rapids Republican, November 25, 1919.
• “Has Little Chance,” Cedar Rapids Republican, November 25, 1919.
• “Hunter Murder Still Mystery To Officers,” Cedar Rapids Republican, November 27, 1919.
• “Hunter Shot In Des Moines,” Oelwein Daily Register, November 22, 1919.