Frank Knepper 50, native and lifelong resident of Elkhart Twp, committed suicide Monday by throwing himself in front of a NYC train at a crossing ½ mile west of Wawaka. He had been despondent since his arrest several weeks ago when a still was discovered on his farm and had made several recent attempts at suicide. He had been out on bond since the federal raid had been made on his property. His farm had been put under condemnation proceedings and his trial docketed for Sept. Several times he had threatened to take his life. On one occasion he cut his wrists, once he attempted to slash his throat, and another time he tried to hang himself, the rope breaking. He is survived by the widow; a daughter, Sarah; and a brother, John of Montana. Funeral Thursday at Wawaka M. E. Church. Burial, Cosperville Garrett
(Indiana) Clipper Thursday 15 Aug 1935 p 1
Wawaka, Ind Aug 13 - The second death allegedly as the result of the raid on the Frank Knepper farm near here, in which a huge still and quantity of liquor were confiscated was marked up today. Frank Knepper, who was out on bond as a result of the raid, ended his life early today by placing his head on a rail of the NYC Railroad near here. John DePew, who lived near the farm, died in identically the same way, near the same spot, several weeks ago. DePew was alleged to have been the "tip-off" man for the federal raid. Knepper had tried suicide twice before today. He recently slashed his wrists and throat unsuccessfully and later tried to hang himself, escaping when the rope broke. His trial was set for the fall term of Noble circuit court, opening at Albion in September and he had sworn he would "never go through with the trial." Surviving are the widow, one daughter, Sara, one brother, John of Montanan who has been visiting here. Knepper owned more than 100 acres of land and was considered well-to-do.
Contributor: Karen Zach (47414168)
(Indiana) Clipper Thursday 15 Aug 1935 p 1
Wawaka, Ind Aug 13 - The second death allegedly as the result of the raid on the Frank Knepper farm near here, in which a huge still and quantity of liquor were confiscated was marked up today. Frank Knepper, who was out on bond as a result of the raid, ended his life early today by placing his head on a rail of the NYC Railroad near here. John DePew, who lived near the farm, died in identically the same way, near the same spot, several weeks ago. DePew was alleged to have been the "tip-off" man for the federal raid. Knepper had tried suicide twice before today. He recently slashed his wrists and throat unsuccessfully and later tried to hang himself, escaping when the rope broke. His trial was set for the fall term of Noble circuit court, opening at Albion in September and he had sworn he would "never go through with the trial." Surviving are the widow, one daughter, Sara, one brother, John of Montanan who has been visiting here. Knepper owned more than 100 acres of land and was considered well-to-do.
Contributor: Karen Zach (47414168)
Frank Knepper 50, native and lifelong resident of Elkhart Twp, committed suicide Monday by throwing himself in front of a NYC train at a crossing ½ mile west of Wawaka. He had been despondent since his arrest several weeks ago when a still was discovered on his farm and had made several recent attempts at suicide. He had been out on bond since the federal raid had been made on his property. His farm had been put under condemnation proceedings and his trial docketed for Sept. Several times he had threatened to take his life. On one occasion he cut his wrists, once he attempted to slash his throat, and another time he tried to hang himself, the rope breaking. He is survived by the widow; a daughter, Sarah; and a brother, John of Montana. Funeral Thursday at Wawaka M. E. Church. Burial, Cosperville Garrett
(Indiana) Clipper Thursday 15 Aug 1935 p 1
Wawaka, Ind Aug 13 - The second death allegedly as the result of the raid on the Frank Knepper farm near here, in which a huge still and quantity of liquor were confiscated was marked up today. Frank Knepper, who was out on bond as a result of the raid, ended his life early today by placing his head on a rail of the NYC Railroad near here. John DePew, who lived near the farm, died in identically the same way, near the same spot, several weeks ago. DePew was alleged to have been the "tip-off" man for the federal raid. Knepper had tried suicide twice before today. He recently slashed his wrists and throat unsuccessfully and later tried to hang himself, escaping when the rope broke. His trial was set for the fall term of Noble circuit court, opening at Albion in September and he had sworn he would "never go through with the trial." Surviving are the widow, one daughter, Sara, one brother, John of Montanan who has been visiting here. Knepper owned more than 100 acres of land and was considered well-to-do.
Contributor: Karen Zach (47414168)
(Indiana) Clipper Thursday 15 Aug 1935 p 1
Wawaka, Ind Aug 13 - The second death allegedly as the result of the raid on the Frank Knepper farm near here, in which a huge still and quantity of liquor were confiscated was marked up today. Frank Knepper, who was out on bond as a result of the raid, ended his life early today by placing his head on a rail of the NYC Railroad near here. John DePew, who lived near the farm, died in identically the same way, near the same spot, several weeks ago. DePew was alleged to have been the "tip-off" man for the federal raid. Knepper had tried suicide twice before today. He recently slashed his wrists and throat unsuccessfully and later tried to hang himself, escaping when the rope broke. His trial was set for the fall term of Noble circuit court, opening at Albion in September and he had sworn he would "never go through with the trial." Surviving are the widow, one daughter, Sara, one brother, John of Montanan who has been visiting here. Knepper owned more than 100 acres of land and was considered well-to-do.
Contributor: Karen Zach (47414168)
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