Spokane Daily Chronicle - February 1, 1946
Stalnaker Murdered at His Stites Home During Night.
GRANGEVILLE, Idaho, Feb 1. (Special) - Alva Stalnaker, 58, was murdered some time after midnight this morning at his home at Stites according to Idaho County Sheriff Bud Taylor.
Sheriff Taylor said the man had been shot with a .45 caliber gun, probably an army automatic.
Stalnaker was last seen about midnight at the Silver Dollar tavern at Stites, when he left to go home.
Sheriff Taylor theorized that the murderer followed the victim to his home, which is the rear of a restaurant owned and operated by Stalnaker, and murdered him in cold blood. Stalnaker was still fully clothed, the sheriff said.
A slot machine in the restaurant was broken into, the sheriff reported.
Stalnaker had lived in Pierce, Idaho, in Clearwater County for many years previous to moving to Stites. He was active in the Odd Fellows lodge and had been secretary of the Pierce organization at one time.
Sheriff Taylor, Glen Allor, coroner, and Wilbur Campbell, prosecutor, are investigating.
Spokane Daily Chronicle - February 2, 1946
STALNAKER KILLER LEAVES NO CLUES
GRANGEVILLE, Idaho, Feb. 2. (Special.) – Alva L. Stalnaker, 58, restaurant owner found shot to death in his apartment yesterday, was killed “by party or parties unknown,” according to the verdict of a nine-man coroner’s jury at an inquest late yesterday.
A slot machine in the restaurant below had been broken and the jury theorized Stalnaker may have surprised an intruder in the act of looting the machine. A .45 caliber bullet, probably causing immediate death, penetratrated the man’s chest just above the heart, Sheriff Bud Taylor reported.
Stalnaker was last seen shortly after midnight Friday when he left the Silver Dollar tavern at Stites to go home. The body was discovered about 7:30 Friday morning by Miss Alice Clements, and waitress, and Mrs. Betty Laws, cook in another café. The body was fully clothed when found, indicating Stalnaker had not prepared to retire, the sheriff said.
Boxes Kicked Over.
Taylor said two boxes in the living quarters had been kicked over, indicating a possible struggle, but the victim’s clothing was not materially disarranged.
Stalnaker had no known enemies, the sheriff reported.
The victim had operated a café at Pierce, Idaho, for many years before moving to Stites.
Survivors include three sisters, Mrs. Maude Goin, Port Angeles; Mrs. Elsie Wojeickl, Ahsahka, and Mrs. Nora Olson, Cle Elum, and three brothers, Elmer, Edward and Ira Stalnaker, all of Asotin. The body is at Blake’s funeral home in Orofino.
Transcribed by Jo Frederiksen