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B.S. Hunter Drops Dead on Traction Car

B. S. Hunter died suddenly while seated and traveling on an East Side car yesterday afternoon about two o'clock.

Mr. Hunter had been to town and had mounted car No 18, of which Claude Conlan was conductor-motorman. He was on his way to the family home at 11 Minnie Street, and there were a goodly number of passengers aboard.

Mr. Hunter's death was sudden and apparently without a struggle, and came as he was seated. When his condition was realized the car was stopped and he was removed to the Burnett feed store at Soquel Avenue and Ocean Street.

The ambulance was summoned, and later he was removed to Wessendorf and Son's undertaking parlors.

Mr. Hunter was 75 years of age and was born in 1847 in Iowa, where he was a farmer. He retired and came to California about 16 months ago first going to Los Angeles and coming from there to Santa Cruz about a year ago. He was a member of the G.A.R. and a veteran of the Civil War. He leaves a wife and son, W.B.

An inquest will be held this morning at 10 o'clock at Wessendorf & Son's undertaking parlors.

Mr. Hunter about 1:45 P.M. was in the office of the Smiths and was consulting Stanford Smith in reference to having his furlough from the home at Sawtelle extended for another 90 days. He seemed ill then and mentioned it, but before leaving he expressed himself as feeling all right.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (January 26, 1922)

Death Was From Heart Disease

The inquest over Benjamin Scott Hunter, who died Tuesday afternoon while riding on a Soquel avenue Union Traction car, was held yesterday morning at Wessendorf & Sons undertaking parlors before Corner W.R. Congdon.

A son, W.B. Hunter, testified that his father had heart trouble for 20 years and was especially ill for the last year and a half.

Claude Conlan, the motorman, testified that he left Pacific avenue about 1:55 o'clock, paid his fare and sat right behind the witness, who was operating the streetcar. As they went over the bridge the witness noticed someone breathing very heavily. Then they got to Ocean street to allow a passenger to get off, the witness turned to look at the man behind him and found he was not conscious.

The verdict of the jury was death from organic heart disease.

The witnesses were Samuel H. Mofford, E.L. Bardwell, J.J. Brown, F.W. Baldwin, J. Warley and J.H. Strite.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (January 27, 1922)

DIED: HUNTER- In Santa Cruz January 24, Benjamin Scott Hunter, aged 74 years and 11 months, a native of Indiana.

Funeral of deceased will be held from Wessendorf & Sons undertaking parlors today, Friday, January 27, at 2 o'clock P.M. Friends and acquaintances are invited. Interment in SCruz/OMP cemetery.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (January 28, 1922)

Funeral Services Over Old Soldier

Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon over B.S. Hunter, who died suddenly while returning home on a streetcar.

The services were held at Wessendorf & Son's undertaking parlors, and members of the G.A.R. were present and assisted in the service, at which Rev. W.P. Grant of the East Side Methodist church was the officiating clergyman.

The burial was at SCruz/OMP cemetery.

Date of Birth: 1847-02-14

Date of Death: 1922-24-01

County: Santa Cruz

Cemetery/City of Burial: Oakwood Memorial Park

Plot: O7/07

Mortuary: CCC

Cause of Death: Hrt/Related

Religion: Me

Local Address: Minni 11

Last City: Santa Cruz

Native of: IN

Enlisted: 1864/01/04

Discharged: 1865/12/16

Military Unit: IL_ 21 Inf_ Co D

Rank: Pvt

Military Notes: R-Ogle_ M/O-San Antonio

GAR#: WR32

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: SEN 1922/01/25