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

[mst]

The theory re his father and the possibility of an altercation is based on people that grew up with Dickie, the local people in town having watched previous interactions between Dickie and his father. It was well known apparently that things would get “intense” between them. That coupled with the fact that no one claimed to have seen Dickie after the licking Friday night for being late. (Outside of the parents claim) but we still don’t know what the sisters knew/saw.

Someone from Mapleton mentioned a boy from Janesville MN went missing not long after, but I haven’t had a chance to do any research on it. Janesville is not far from Mapleton. We played them in sports. Even back in the 60’s. So that might be something to look in to.

His mother handed out the licking as per article posted in another post. After rereading it, I had forgotten that he was late because his friends and he had gone to a site of an auto accident. Were they witnesses to something?

 

[Richard]

Best case scenario the dogs were pre-scented on Dickie's scent from his clothing or even the bicycle seat. If he never rode the bike that day, or touched the handles if he walked it part of the way, it would certainly be interesting. I don't know what kind of resources Mapleton, MN had in the 60s, but those dogs tracked someone. If it was a searcher, it could be that person stopped at the water.

I've seen someone on a bike hit by a vehicle where there managed to be no damage to the bike (and luckily just road rash to the person). There could very well be no skid marks if the driver didn't see him and/or was driving at a low speed. Also possibly he was knocked down and had a fatal head injury with no blood, also from a low speed. But that's a lot of "possibles" when added together seem more unlikely.

Without more details I'd guess one of two scenarios - 1) an accident with one or more of the other boys who managed to hide his body and never tell (that we know of). But, I'd also accept they thought the younger boy wasn't coming and headed to a different hunting area and had nothing to do with it. Or 2) he never left home. Perhaps he got in trouble for trying to take his sister's bike and the unheard knock on the door never happened. That would explain him already in his boots, and packed etc. But in this case, I wouldn't factor in abuse with the "gave him a licking" without context. It could just be a "tongue lashing" or "talking to" though it certainly sounds physical. On the other hand, people spank their children, but it doesn't mean they murder them. Or it's just a phrase? If you open a can of whoop *advertiser censored* on someone, are you standing there with a can with cartoon letters saying Whoop *advertiser censored* and an Acme can opener?

I wonder if his sister or the other boys have ever spoken out as adults.

The story about not hearing the door bell in the Huerkamp home that morning came from Dickie's parents. His mother told the police that Dickie came to her and was upset because he hadn't woke up and missed going with his friends.

Two of the hunting buddies (Jerry McGregor and George Johnson) confirmed that they had indeed gone to the Huerkamp house and rang the bell, but that nobody answered, so they proceeded to the Fitzgerald home.

What makes no sense in their story is that they said they next drove 15 miles north to Hungry Hollow (a small park near Mankato) TO HUNT SQUIRRELS. This is a major change from their original plan to hunt geese.

To this tale, they claimed to have next driven to Minnesota Lake (a town in the adjacent county) For more hunting. They would have driven close to the Huerkamp house on the way there. Why didn't they stop to see if Dickie wanted to join them? Did they know he wasn't home?

Dickie's bike and supplies were found in a ditch at the side of the road bordering the McGregor farm (home of fellow hunter Jerry McGregor). Could that be where Dickie was hoping to meet up with his buddies to hunt?

With a large family farm next to a river where they could hunt (geese, pheasants, rabbits, or SQUIRRELS), why the need to go hunting at Hungry Hollow or Minnesota Lake?

I agree that investigators should interview Dickie's sisters and his hunting buddies to see what they have to say today.

 

[DD Byrd]

The only thing I can think of is the geese weren't around, or left, and once that happens a goose hunt would be done for the day. Whereas squirrels can't fly away and are more apt to reappear? I'm reaching though, it certainly sounds like the boys were either involved or saw something and wanted to get out of Dodge. That something likely happened at McGregor Farm, and maybe this was truly an accident. Is there a chance the boys were elsewhere, but Dickie showed up to the farm and was shot by someone else not expecting him because he was told the boys were going somewhere else? Whatever happened, everyone, including the senior McGregor then panicked. You'd cover for your son (and/or his friend Johnson), especially if it happened on your own land. Send the boys as far as reasonably possible. In that case they may have deliberately said "squirrels" to imply their plans had changed and they weren't looking for geese...if you're fumbling for a reason you left for another perfectly fine hunting ground that might make sense in your state of mind. Now you've got to stick to that story. Dickie could still be on the McGregor farm.

If this scenario is in the realm of what happened, I'd imagine he had his lunch and supplied with him and they were returned to his bike to appear as if he never made it from the road to the land, reasonable doubt that he was abducted from the ditch. As for his gun, maybe it was kept then sold, etc. "why waste a good gun?" I hate to think that, but.

 

[Richard]

The only thing I can think of is the geese weren't around, or left....If this scenario is in the realm of what happened, I'd imagine he had his lunch and supplied with him and they were returned to his bike to appear as if he never made it from the road to the land, reasonable doubt that he was abducted from the ditch. As for his gun, maybe it was kept then sold, etc. "why waste a good gun?" I hate to think that, but.

All possibilities. Regarding the missing shotgun - IF a shooting accident occurred which killed Dickie also damaged the shotgun, then it couldn't be placed with the ditched bicycle and other items, or investigators would know what happened.

Going with the hunting accident scenario, it might be that the bicycle and items were found much later in the day... and then quickly dumped in the ditch away from the accident site.

 

[DD Byrd]

All possibilities. Regarding the missing shotgun - IF a shooting accident occurred which killed Dickie also damaged the shotgun, then it couldn't be placed with the ditched bicycle and other items, or investigators would know what happened.

Going with the hunting accident scenario, it might be that the bicycle and items were found much later in the day... and then quickly dumped in the ditch away from the accident site.

Makes sense. If both boys were older, they'd be around 80 years old if still alive. I wouldn't hold my breath for a deathbed confession or long-lost explanation letter surfacing...they'd likely figure they can't change the past and don't want to leave their families with that legacy. I'd be interested how their lives were and where they ended up.

 

[cenazoic]

At the same time, that’s a lot of people in this hypothetical scenario, and I just think, we only know Dickie’s side of things through his parents, and it was his mother who found his bike. Hm.

 

[Richard]

At the same time, that’s a lot of people in this hypothetical scenario, and I just think, we only know Dickie’s side of things through his parents, and it was his mother who found his bike. Hm.

Yes, Dickie's mother was looking for him and recognized the bike which was placed near the road.

It is very likely that anyone else passing by (not knowing Dickie or that he was missing) wouldn't have paid any attention to it.

While his disappearance essentially involved the whole town in the search, it is possible that only one or two people today might know what happened to him.

 

[DD Byrd]

Was this alarm clock set too late? It sounds like he was excited for this excursion, mentioning it the day before. I'm envisioning kids up at 3am on Christmas morning beside themselves to get to their presents. He was 15, so not the same obviously, but interesting tidbit. If it's all true, I get the impression he was hurrying.

Is it possible the boys didn't want him tagging along, and barely knocked (so they could say they did) and then took off? Curious no one heard a knock. Or were they never there, Dickie took off for where he thought they were and it was an accident. I don't know about squirrels, but I'm thinking geese would be in an open area - either on the wing or flocking on the ground - not milling around in an understory. So an accidental shooting of someone not hidden by leaves, tree trunks, etc. like in deer hunting. If he popped up behind some grasses - did someone pull the trigger thinking he was a goose lifting off? I wonder about the other boys skills, I assume they weren't snipers. But sounds like either fast reflexes or misguided reaction to any movement. Back to Dickie hurrying...if he saw them from afar and didn't want to disturb whatever they had their sights on, could he have been stealthy enough they didn't hear/see him coming? Another detail towards an accident.

If the boys hadn't switched locations I would have focused on Dickie's home. Perhaps the "licking" continued the next morning and he received a fatal injury. It would've been on his way out the door, otherwise, did his parents dress the body (or was he dead the night before)? That seems like a lot to accept. And it seems odd the family would plant the bike and supplies, there's the risk of being seen. If he died at home, they could've disappeared those items wherever they put Dickie. I want to know when his sisters last saw him.

Why did he have so much food,

 

[DD Byrd]

Was this alarm clock set too late? It sounds like he was excited for this excursion, mentioning it the day before. I'm envisioning kids up at 3am on Christmas morning beside themselves to get to their presents. He was 15, so not the same obviously, but interesting tidbit. If it's all true, I get the impression he was hurrying.

Is it possible the boys didn't want him tagging along, and barely knocked (so they could say they did) and then took off? Curious no one heard a knock. Or were they never there, Dickie took off for where he thought they were and it was an accident. I don't know about squirrels, but I'm thinking geese would be in an open area - either on the wing or flocking on the ground - not milling around in an understory. So an accidental shooting of someone not hidden by leaves, tree trunks, etc. like in deer hunting. If he popped up behind some grasses - did someone pull the trigger thinking he was a goose lifting off? I wonder about the other boys skills, I assume they weren't snipers. But sounds like either fast reflexes or misguided reaction to any movement. Back to Dickie hurrying...if he saw them from afar and didn't want to disturb whatever they had their sights on, could he have been stealthy enough they didn't hear/see him coming? Another detail towards an accident.

If the boys hadn't switched locations I would have focused on Dickie's home. Perhaps the "licking" continued the next morning and he received a fatal injury. It would've been on his way out the door, otherwise, did his parents dress the body (or was he dead the night before)? That seems like a lot to accept. And it seems odd the family would plant the bike and supplies, there's the risk of being seen. If he died at home, they could've disappeared those items wherever they put Dickie. I want to know when his sisters last saw him.

Why did he have so much food, could the deal have been the boys would go with him if he supplied lunch? Or maybe Dickie wanted to ingratiate himself. Either way, the food is left. So the gun disappeared because it was stolen, damaged, or possibly just covered in blood and it was thought safer to dispose of it along with Dickie.

 

[Richard]

Dickie clearly knew where he wanted to go to meet his buddies for the purpose of hunting geese.

He rode his sister's bicycle south out of town on County Road 7, and probably up a driveway before dismounting and continuing on foot into the field, woods, or marsh with his shotgun and ammo.

He would have parked the bike, rather than just dumping it in a ditch. He would NOT have tried to ride it in the dark, though the corn field or woods.

He might have left the box of extra shells, his lunch, and maybe a cloth gun case with the bike - or maybe he carried those items with him in a shoulder bag or knapsack when walking out to the goose blind or pit.

It was early morning, and not yet completely light out. His unexpected arrival in the dark or dim early light may have surprised or startled the other hunters.

 

[DD Byrd]

Sounds like an accident and panicked cover up. But if I followed this correctly, it sounds like Dickie's bike was transported by car (or ridden by one of the boys) to less than a mile away, but still adjacent to the same hunting ground Dickie intended to be at? Except for the ditch part, it was made to look like he was in the same area? Why move the bike only a mile? And where is his body...I'm wondering if there was 'adult' help at some point.

 

[Richard]

We are really only speculating as to what took place and what became of Dickie, based upon old newspaper articles and rumors.

I sincerely hope that the Blue Earth Sheriff's Office can locate the original case file, and that they will renew the investigation.

At this time, almost 60 years having passed with no trace of Dickie Huerkamp, it should be considered a homicide rather than just a missing person case.

If, however, state law or procedures require that the case be re-opened as a missing person case, and the original file cannot be located, then a new file could be started.

If this were to be done, various missing person websites could include Dickie's case for wider dissemination and comparisons with various unidentified persons. Most such sites will not include cases unless so requested by the law enforcement agency which has jurisdiction.

 

[Pressureandheat]

Is there a way we can encourage the Blue Earth County Sheriffs office to search for the file and take a new look? At the very minimum they could add him to the Minnesota Missing List.

 

[Richard]

Is there a way we can encourage the Blue Earth County Sheriffs office to search for the file and take a new look? At the very minimum they could add him to the Minnesota Missing List.

The Blue Earth County Sheriff Office and the Minnesota state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) have copies of all the newspaper articles which appear in this thread. They also have names and addresses for persons mentioned.

Even if the original case file cannot be located (maybe it has been located?), those law enforcement agencies have enough information to reopen the case.

It would indeed be good to see Dickie's missing person vital statistics and case summary listed on the official Minnesota Missing Persons website. That site is closely affiliated with the BCA.

In the meanwhile, it appears that this thread on Websleuths is the primary location for available public information on the case. Anyone with information or tips should contact the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office at: 507-304-4800.

The current Sheriff is Jeff Wersal.

Their website is located at;
https//www.blueearthcountymn.gov.

Email addresses are located on their website.

 

[AggieLou]

I literally just arrived on this thread a couple hours ago. Followed the link from another case. Only have read last couple pages here but I had such a strong first impression that this boy never left the house alive after coming home the previous evening. I'm about same age as Dickie would be. Grew up in similar rural area but not really far from a metro area. But domestic violence was not extremely common first thought from LE, or at least not publicized like it is today. Physical punishments by parents as accepted discipline was common. Especially conservative rural communities Even schools had physical punishments for infractions. It just seems the bicycle by river, no answer to doorbell ringing in the a.m. never finding his body, maybe other things, are a cover up.

 

[Richard]

I literally just arrived on this thread a couple hours ago. Followed the link from another case. Only have read last couple pages here but I had such a strong first impression that this boy never left the house alive after coming home the previous evening. I'm about same age as Dickie would be. Grew up in similar rural area but not really far from a metro area. But domestic violence was not extremely common first thought from LE, or at least not publicized like it is today. Physical punishments by parents as accepted discipline was common. Especially conservative rural communities Even schools had physical punishments for infractions. It just seems the bicycle by river, no answer to doorbell ringing in the a.m. never finding his body, maybe other things, are a cover up.

The placement of the bicycle, lunch, and shotgun shells, at the side of the road could have been done for a number of different reasons. It could mean that Dickie was abducted at that exact location. It could have been placed there by a hunter who accidently shot him and hid his body. It could have been placed by a family member in an attempt to mislead investigators into thinking he drowned in the nearby river. While all are possibilities, some scenarios would be more complicated than others in attempting to fit the known facts.

Dickie was known to have attended school on Friday, 1 October 1965. After school, he approached friends about going Goose hunting. He made arrangements to goose hunt with boys who were to pick him up early the next morning.

He was involved in some way with an auto accident - perhaps only as a witness or observer - and because of this, he was later than expected at his parents' tavern to help clean up. For being late, he was given a licking by his mother, but accepted it and went to work cleaning the tavern.

He later went home to their house (different location), where he made a lunch, got his hunting gear together, and borrowed an alarm clock to assure awakening in time to join his hunting buddies.

Dickie reportedly overslept and was upset (crying) at having missed his friends when they came by. In his desire to catch up with them, he borrowed his sister's bicycle and set out "about 5 am". This was the last time his family saw him.

His mother told investigators that she thought he had stayed the night at the Stanley Healy home, as he had done on previous occasions. She stated that it was the next morning (Sunday) when Dickie failed to attend Mass, that she began looking for him, finding the bicycle and other items in the process.
___________
Some questions have been asked:

- If he rated a "licking" for being out late with friends, why would his parents allow him to go hunting with his friends the next morning?

- If Dickie's help was needed at the Tavern on Friday night, why wouldn't he also be needed there on Saturday night?

- If Dickie was killed at the Huerkamp Tavern or at home, how would his mother and father have the presence of mind to come up with the multitude of details regarding the goose hunting trip?

 

[Richard]

Contrast the type of hunt that Dickie hoped to go on, as stated to his friends and family - that is a Goose hunt - with the story told by the other three boys (McGregor, Johnson, and Fitzpatrick) who claimed that they went Squirrel hunting that morning.

Several things do not ring true. Geese and Squirrels are very different in size, habit, and habitat.

Geese are hunted over open fields or water areas, with hunters hidden in pits or blinds, calling them in, using decoys, and armed with large gage shotguns with magnum shells filled with large shot. The best time for hunting them is early morning getting into position before dawn.

Squirrels are woodland creatures hunted in the woods (where geese do not fly). Squirrel hunters normally use a .22 rifle or smaller gage shotgun and shells with medium size shot. Squirrels don't come out until after sunrise.

These guys clearly led Dickie to believe that they would be going goose hunting, and probably on the McGregor farm fields or river/ marsh near where Dickie's bicycle was found.

If their actual plan was to drive 15 miles north to hunt squirrels, why did they lie to Dickie? What else did they lie about?

Was their actual plan and action to hunt geese, but then they quickly left the area south of Mapleton to head north to Mankato? And then southeast to Minnesota Lake, making up the squirrel hunting story in an attempt to distance themselves from Dickie and establish an alibi?

 

[Richard]

Tips and information regarding this case can be forwarded to:

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Cold Case Unit
Phone: 877-996-6222
[email protected]

 

[kitties]

Richard John “Dickie” Huerkamp (1950-1965) - Find...

www.findagrave.com

RICHARD JOHN ‘DICKIE’ HUERKAMP
View attachment 469847
Missing Since: October 2, 1965
Missing From: Mapleton, Blue Earth County, Minnesota
Sex: Male
Race: White
Age: 15 years
Date of Birth: September 1, 1950
Height: 4’9”
Weight: 78 pounds
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Clothing: Grey coveralls, a red shirt, blue jeans, a hunting cap and hunting boots with high buckles. He was carrying a 12-gauge shotgun that hasn’t been found.

Circumstances of Disappearance: He left his home alone around 5:00 am to go goose hunting. His mother reported him missing after finding his bicycle, lunch and a box of shotgun shells alongside County Road 7, about four miles south of Mapleton. Bloodhounds later tracked his scent from the bicycle to the Maple River, but no trace of him was ever found.

Richard Huerkamp Disappearance/Search

Clipping found in The Minneapolis Star published in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 10/4/1965. Richard Huerkamp Disappearance/Search

www.newspapers.com

Article clipped from The Minneapolis Star

Clipping found in The Minneapolis Star published in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 10/5/1965.

www.newspapers.com

Article clipped from The Minneapolis Star

Clipping found in The Minneapolis Star published in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 10/6/1965.

www.newspapers.com

Article clipped from St. Cloud Times

Clipping found in St. Cloud Times published in Saint Cloud, Minnesota on 10/27/1965.

www.newspapers.com

Article clipped from The Minneapolis Star

Clipping found in The Minneapolis Star published in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 10/30/1965.

www.newspapers.com

Article clipped from The Minneapolis Star

Clipping found in The Minneapolis Star published in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 11/2/1965.

www.newspapers.com

Richard Huerkamp

Clipping found in The Minneapolis Star published in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 3/9/1966. Richard Huerkamp

www.newspapers.com

Richard Huerkamp-2

Clipping found in The Minneapolis Star published in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 3/9/1966. Richard Huerkamp-2

www.newspapers.com

Dickie is my husband's first cousin. Dickie's father and my husband, Chuck's mother were siblings. everyone in the family thinks Dickie's dad killed him in a drunken rage and buried him somewhere on the farm. I would love to see NecroSearch International go to the farm he lived on and see if the family legend is true. that kid deserves to be found and for the family to have closure.

 

[kitties]

That's a very nice marker (not sure what they call it when there's no body).

a cenotaph