Walker, James Lee (1937-1967)

WALKER, EIDE, FEESER, BABB

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 1/13/2015 at 17:59:54

Daily Freeman Journal, Tuesday, August 22, 1967

Local Man Dies as Result of Knife Wounds

James Walker Succumbs At Hospital

A Webster City man was dead today and his companion was suffering from a knife wound following a reported attack made on a Webster City youth and his girl friend who were in a parked car on a Webster City street early this morning.

Dead from a cut across his throat was James Walker, 30, and injured was his companion, Richard Blakey, 30, also of Webster City.

Authorities said the stabbing incident took place after two men reportedly approached a car occupied by Douglas Hensley, 18, of Webster City and a girl friend and parked in the 600 block on Prospect street.

County Attorney Carroll Wood said today that no charges have been filed in the case pending further investigation. The girl on whom an attack attempt was made, remained under sedation at the Hamilton County hospital and was in no condition to be questioned, Wood said.

As authorities reconstructed the incident from statements made by Hensley and Blakey, the stabbing took place about 12:45 a.m. Hensley and the girl were sitting in the car after attending a movie when Walker and Blakey approached the car and the occupants were ordered to get out, Wood said.

They obeyed and Walker then took the girl around the other side of the car, out of view of Hensley and Blakey, and was attempting to assault her, Wood said.

As the girl screamed and called for help, Hensley and Blakey struggled on the other side of the car. Hensley succeeded in grabbing a hunting knife which Blakey had in his rear pocket and struck him in the back, according to Wood.

According to his statement to authorities, Blakey did not know at the time that he had been wounded but started walking away from the scene. He later was given first aid treatment at the hospital and released.

Wood said Walker left the girl and grappled with Hensley, kicking him in the face. Hensley's one swing with the knife cut his attacker in the throat.

Walker and Blakey then got in Walker's car which Walker succeeded in driving to the Hamilton County hospital despite intense bleeding which soaked the car interior. There he died a short time later despite efforts to save him.

Hensley telephoned police who, along with sheriff's deputies, started an immediate investigation. The girl was taken to the hospital in a state of shock and placed under sedation. She was examined by a doctor who, Wood said, determined that she had received a number of bruises and abrasions.

Hensley is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hensley of 633 Merritt St.

Walker Rites on Thursday

Funeral services for James Lee Walker, 30, will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Foster Funeral home with the Rev. Father B. G. Collins officiating. Burial will be made in Graceland cemetery.

James Lee Walker, son of Albert L. and Rose Mary Walker, was born May 27, 1937, at Iowa City where he was reared and educated.

He was united in marriage Feb. 11, 1960, to Doris Eide and the couple resided at Iowa City for one year, then moved to Webster City.

For the past two years, he had been employed at the A and A Transfer Co. in Webster City.

He is survived by his wife and two sons, Jimmie and David, both at home; his mother, Mrs. Rose Mary Feeser of Iowa City; his father, Albert Walker of Blue Grass, Iowa; several aunts and uncles, including Mr. and Mrs. Tom Babb of Iowa City.