MN MN - Richard John ‘Dickie’ Huerkamp, 15, Mapleton, 2 Oct 1965

[Richard]

A possible explanation or theory about the missing shotgun is that IF Dickie was intending to hunt on the Stanley Healy property that day, (as thought and stated by his Mother) - maybe he had taken the shotgun there previously and stored it.

This would have made it easier for him to ride his bike to and from his hunting area. If there was a gun case with his bike, it might have been a foldable cloth one.

 

[Richard]

Photo of a 1960's era cloth gun case/sleeve

Early news reports state only that a box of shotgun shells and a packed lunch were found with the bicycle at the side of County Road 7. A more detailed article by Jim Klobuchar appeared several months after Dickie's disappearance, which mentioned that a gun case was also found with the other items.

This could have been just a cloth sleeve, perhaps folded up into a 4 or 5 inch square - rather than a large size (usually vinal) padded zipper type case.

Could there also have been a surplus canvas knapsack or shoulder bag with the supplies? Something which would allow Dickie to carry his supplies on the bike, and into the field?


Army surplus Musette bag

 

[Brightchaser47]

Photo of a 1960's era cloth gun case/sleeve

Early news reports state only that a box of shotgun shells and a packed lunch were found with the bicycle at the side of County Road 7. A more detailed article by Jim Klobuchar appeared several months after Dickie's disappearance, which mentioned that a gun case was also found with the other items.

This could have been just a cloth sleeve, perhaps folded up into a 4 or 5 inch square - rather than a large size (usually vinal) padded zipper type case.

Could there also have been a surplus canvas knapsack or shoulder bag with the supplies? Something which would allow Dickie to carry his supplies on the bike, and into the field?


Army surplus Musette bag

See, when I hear the word "case", I picture either a hard plastic, hinged case or a zippered, padded case. What you have in the photo, I'd call a sleeve (not to be argumentative). But maybe it depends on what area you're in as to what something is called. Either way, I'd think it would be easiest to haul a shotgun on a bicycle if it was somehow strapped across the handlebars, and a sleeve would be easier to fasten to handlebars than a case, imo. I assume Dickie took good care of the shotgun, as it wasn't his. But I do wonder whether it was loaned to him in a case, or he used whatever he had (and a sleeve is definitely the more economical option).
JMO. Apologies if this has already been discussed.

 

[Richard]

I suggested the cloth case/sleeve for a couple of reasons.

First, as mentioned, it was an inexpensive and popular ( in the mid 1960's) option to cover a shotgun. Cost was about 99 cents. Some states had laws requiring a gun to be cased during transport.

Second, the existence of a gun case wasn't mentioned in any of the earlier news articles. Certainly, a substantial, large padded case with hinges, buckles or zippers would stand out and be mentioned by police to reporters. Whereas a small, folded up cloth sleeve might have been overlooked or considered insignificant.

It wasn't until the Jim Klobuchar article some months later that a gun case was mentioned. This might be because he actually went to Mapleton to interview people, visit the scene, and possibly view the items and police file.

The actual existence and description of a gun case might be confirmed in the case file.

 

[Richard]

The missing shotgun could be a key element in this case.

If Dickie did NOT have the shotgun with him while riding the bicycle (maybe having earlier left it with a hunting partner or farm where hunted), then he would have had no reason to enter a field to hunt. This would eliminate a scenario involving his drowning in the river or being killed in a hunting accident.

IF the make, model, and serial number of the shotgun is known it would be a significant clue for a possible solution to the case.

As theorized by investigators in 1965, theft of the shotgun might have been a motive for someone who also abducted or killed Dickie in the process. If theft was a motive, it would make more sense (assuming Dickie was stopped roadside) that the shotgun might have been in a nice case, and that the "gun case" found with the bicycle was just a spare sleeve that Dickie carried in a bag with his other items.

Any speculation that Dickie was killed by his parents and the bicycle scene staged by them would have to take into account their detailed knowledge of Dickie's plans and previous hunting practices, as well as the inoperable condition of his own bicycle. Also, consider the question of what they would want investigators to believe happened to him.

If his parents had staged the bicycle scene with a gun case, but no shotgun it would indicate that he carelessly left his bike and supplies to go into the field to hunt, fell into the river and drowned. If the shotgun were left with rhe bike it might appear that he was abducted at roadside by a passing stranger.

Again, as with any speculation, the case file would be the place to check for the many unanswered questions. What exactly was said at the time? What was the scene like where the bicycle and items were found?

 

[STLBlues]

The missing shotgun could be a key element in this case.

If Dickie did NOT have the shotgun with him while riding the bicycle (maybe having earlier left it with a hunting partner or farm where hunted), then he would have had no reason to enter a field to hunt. This would eliminate a scenario involving his drowning in the river or being killed in a hunting accident.

IF the make, model, and serial number of the shotgun is known it would be a significant clue for a possible solution to the case.

RS&BBM

I've been following this thread for a while. I don't recall if this has been mentioned upthread but, thought I'd throw this out there.

The Gun Control Act of 1968 mandated that all firearms manufactured for sale in the United States must have a serial number ("S/N"). Prior to that, manufacturers were not require to put a serial number on the firearm.

I did a little searching and it's very hard to positively state which manufacturers did or did not include a S/N prior to 1968. The AI overview from Google states:

So, as @Richard states, IF the make, model & S/N are available, it could be a big clue as to what happened.

 

[Brightchaser47]

Not having serial numbers to work with would definitely make cases like this one much harder to investigate. jmo

 

[Richard]

RS&BBM

I've been following this thread for a while. I don't recall if this has been mentioned upthread but, thought I'd throw this out there.

The Gun Control Act of 1968 mandated that all firearms manufactured for sale in the United States must have a serial number ("S/N"). Prior to that, manufacturers were not require to put a serial number on the firearm.

I did a little searching and it's very hard to positively state which manufacturers did or did not include a S/N prior to 1968. The AI overview from Google states:
View attachment 578344

So, as @Richard states, IF the make, model & S/N are available, it could be a big clue as to what happened.

Good point regarding serial numbers prior to the 1968 Gun Control Act.

Before that federal requirement, use of serial numbers varied from one maker to another. Often the cheaper models of shotguns and
.22 rifles did not have them, while the more expensive ones did.

Many of the major firearms manufacturers would make similar guns for other companies or distributors, stamping them with other trade or brand names.

Such companies as Sears, Montgomery Wards, Western Auto, and others all sold hunting shotguns with their own brand names on them, which were made by Stevens, Mossberg, Marlin, Winchester, and others. Some had serial numbers, some didn't.

Even in 1965, firearms manufacturers and distributors kept records of sales. An example would be the 1963 tracing of Lee Harvey Oswald's gun purchases - cited as evidence against him by the Warren Commission.

If the shotgun Dickie borrowed from Roger Schultz had a known make, model, and serial number - it might have been sold at some time in the last 60 years, and records of that sale would exist.

The solution could be in such details. I think, unfortunately, that this started out as a missing person case and remained only that until it went cold and forgotten.

In 1965, a major effort was put into searching the fields and river, rather than in carefully questioning people, or in reclassifying the case as a possible homicide.

 

[STLBlues]

Good point regarding serial numbers prior to the 1968 Gun Control Act.

Before that federal requirement, use of serial numbers varied from one maker to another. Often the cheaper models of shotguns and
.22 rifles did not have them, while the more expensive ones did.

Many of the major firearms manufacturers would make similar guns for other companies or distributors, stamping them with other trade or brand names.

Such companies as Sears, Montgomery Wards, Western Auto, and others all sold hunting shotguns with their own brand names on them, which were made by Stevens, Mossberg, Marlin, Winchester, and others. Some had serial numbers, some didn't.

Even in 1965, firearms manufacturers and distributors kept records of sales. An example would be the 1963 tracing of Lee Harvey Oswald's gun purchases - cited as evidence against him by the Warren Commission.

If the shotgun Dickie borrowed from Roger Schultz had a known make, model, and serial number - it might have been sold at some time in the last 60 years, and records of that sale would exist.

The solution could be in such details. I think, unfortunately, that this started out as a missing person case and remained only that until it went cold and forgotten.

In 1965, a major effort was put into searching the fields and river, rather than in carefully questioning people, or in reclassifying the case as a possible homicide.

Excellent points Richard and you are absolutely correct about manufacturers branding firearms for retailers. Years ago, I had a Coast to Coast 22LR that was actually made be Stevens.

 

[Richard]

Excellent points Richard and you are absolutely correct about manufacturers branding firearms for retailers. Years ago, I had a Coast to Coast 22LR that was actually made be Stevens.

Here is a "Cross-over" list of Store Brand names and model numbers of firearms, connected with the manufacturers equivalent model numbers.

https://www.nramuseum.org/media/940938/store%20brand%20crossover%20list.pdf

 

[Pressureandheat]

So something that has really bothered me is so let’s say he did drown, the gun should have dropped and not floated down river. It was too heavy to float and I don’t believe the area where they believe he was the river isn’t that deep. The gun in my mind should have easily been found. Esp after all these years. Am I completely wrong here thinking it would has just laid where dropped?

 

[Brightchaser47]

So something that has really bothered me is so let’s say he did drown, the gun should have dropped and not floated down river. It was too heavy to float and I don’t believe the area where they believe he was the river isn’t that deep. The gun in my mind should have easily been found. Esp after all these years. Am I completely wrong here thinking it would has just laid where dropped?

Actually, I'm thinking possibly a strong current could've picked it up and carried it away. Maybe someone did find it, but it was a case of "finders keepers". Not sure how difficult it would be to clean/restore a waterlogged shotgun....
My other thought is if the search of the river was based on where the bike was found, and that was deliberately placed to confuse matters, then the entire search area was off. jmo

 

[Richard]

The absence of evidence is not necessarily proof one way or the other. However, the shotgun is a key piece of the puzzle.

Normally, a shotgun would settle rather quickly in a river, even with a fairly quick current flow. It would probably be covered by mud and silt over time. Being covered by fresh water, it would actually be fairly well preserved, and even functional if found soon enough.

 

[Brightchaser47]

The absence of evidence is not necessarily proof one way or the other. However, the shotgun is a key piece of the puzzle.

Normally, a shotgun would settle rather quickly in a river, even with a fairly quick current flow. It would probably be covered by mud and silt over time. Being covered by fresh water, it would actually be fairly well preserved, and even functional if found soon enough.

So if it was dropped or thrown into the river it could still possibly be located?

 

[Richard]

So if it was dropped or thrown into the river it could still possibly be located?

Yes, theoretically it could be found, perhaps using modern underwater metal detection or sonar equipment.

As I understand, magnets were used in 1965 during the search of the river.

 

[Pressureandheat]

Do we know exactly how deep the river is at the location they believe he went missing near the bike? I don’t remember that river being very fast moving, not a strong current. I would have thought it wouldn’t have been hard to find less than a day later.
Richard, where did you hear they used magnets?

 

[Richard]

Do we know exactly how deep the river is at the location they believe he went missing near the bike? I don’t remember that river being very fast moving, not a strong current. I would have thought it wouldn’t have been hard to find less than a day later.
Richard, where did you hear they used magnets?

See article in St Cloud Times dated 27 October 1965 (linked in original post to this thread). It tells of a "last resort" air search after mentioning all types of previous methods used, including magnetized equipment.

 

[Richard]

This October will mark 60 years since Richard "Dickie" Huerkamp went missing.

What was he like? Small in size for his age of 15 years, he was friendly and outgoing, with a great sense of humor. He was probably the smallest student in his 10th grade class.

He played clarinet in the high school band and served as an altar boy in the local Catholic church.

He did not drive a car, but rode his bicycle often. He worked at his parents tavern, as well as helping on several neighboring farms.

Dickie was the oldest child in his family, with two younger sisters. He had numerous Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.

He had a strong interest in hunting. Although he didn't have much money, he managed to come up with the necessary clothing and equipment. His determination to hunt can be seen in the fact that, small as he was, he borrowed a full size 12 gauge shotgun to shoot. He had taken a Hunter Safety Class in school.

It was stated by his parents that Dickie was an accomplished and safe hunter. This would mean that he had hunted in the previous (1964) hunting season, since the 1965 season began on 1 October.

Dickie planned things out carefully in advance as seen by his contacts with various farmers, his knowledge of game seasons, his inclusion of other hunters, and careful preparations of his hunting equipment, food, transportation, and timing. When a glitch in his plans occurred in transportation, he immediately made alternate arrangements and set out on a borrowed bicycle.

Something tragically occurred on 2 October 1965 which caused the disappearance of this highly motivated and talented boy.

 

[Brightchaser47]

This October will mark 60 years since Richard "Dickie" Huerkamp went missing.

What was he like? Small in size for his age of 15 years, he was friendly and outgoing, with a great sense of humor. He was probably the smallest student in his 10th grade class.

He played clarinet in the high school band and served as an altar boy in the local Catholic church.

He did not drive a car, but rode his bicycle often. He worked at his parents tavern, as well as helping on several neighboring farms.

Dickie was the oldest child in his family, with two younger sisters. He had numerous Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.

He had a strong interest in hunting. Although he didn't have much money, he managed to come up with the necessary clothing and equipment. His determination to hunt can be seen in the fact that, small as he was, he borrowed a full size 12 gauge shotgun to shoot. He had taken a Hunter Safety Class in school.

It was stated by his parents that Dickie was an accomplished and safe hunter. This would mean that he had hunted in the previous (1964) hunting season, since the 1965 season began on 1 October.

Dickie planned things out carefully in advance as seen by his contacts with various farmers, his knowledge of game seasons, his inclusion of other hunters, and careful preparations of his hunting equipment, food, transportation, and timing. When a glitch in his plans occurred in transportation, he immediately made alternate arrangements and set out on a borrowed bicycle.

Something tragically occurred on 2 October 1965 which caused the disappearance of this highly motivated and talented boy.

Well said, Richard.

 

[Pressureandheat]

Is there anything that we can do to bring attention to Dickies case and at the minimum get him listed on the MN Missing?