Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-09-02
From The .Ns,c York Courier.
JOHN FRANCIS KNAPP, THE FELON


John Francis Knapp, recently convicted as
surviving principal in the murder Ut Capt. White,
of Salem, is old in guilt and criminality, thou gh
young in years, being at the present moment
scarcely twenty He is native of Salem, re-
ceiyed his education at a good school IN that
town. but did not deyelope any of his propcnsl-
ties till he had reached his sixteenth year. At
school he exhibited rather superior faculties to the
ordinary run of schoolboys-was not particularly
remarkable for any traits of character. but rather
quiet and unpretending. About the age OF six
teeo he left school, and commenced his career
N the world BIZ very Characteristic adventure.
During the latter part Of his term at school, he
Became acquainted with Richard aud Gerge
Crowninshc!d, who then occasionally made live
IL excursions into Salem and the nelghborhood,
from their residence in Danvers. Richard was
then about p years of age. Of lively, daring,
dashinr character. They did not however fire.
auent that class Of Society in Salem, which may
he reckoned the first, although they were con-
nected by blood with the most respectable and
fashionable people in their own neighborhood.-
Frank Knapp, for he is generally called by that
name in Salem. and is best known by 1t. was on
the verge that separates boyhood from manllness.
full of latent spirit and daring. though cold and
distant to all but his associates, and not easily
inundated or excited unless by an effort, but
when excited violent to any extreme Before
t,s period the Grow nnshields had seen the world,
tasfed of its sweets. and found that there were
inducements for them to transgress the laws OIL
society in attaining their own enjoyment.
II was in the yeac 1897 that they projected a
trip to New York, sometime we believe in the
mouth of MAY. There was some difficulty IN
procurin" funds to make the Journey lh's u Is
believed was obyiated BY holding forth induce
ments to Frank Knapp to accompany them-to
taste the pleasures of society. and to seek ad,en-
lures suited TO their peculiar tastes anu WISHES
Frank could not or would not resist the desire ne
had to see the world, and enjoy little OF the
high seasoned pleasures the CrowninshieiuS pre-
se1ted to his imagination. He was however des-
t;,ute of funds, nor could his associates at that
nme furnish his pockets with the needful.
Al This period the father of Frank was doing a
rrcsnerous commercial business IN which we be-
lee the elder brother was concerned. From an
snsrtment in which some money was put for safe
teenine. Frank very unceremoninusly abstract
ed about $500 or more. put it IN his pocket, and
told his father Il believe shall spend election
week IN Boston," The young man then started
ajth the two Crowninshields. came to Boston.
but soon made their way to New York. In this
CITY they put up at one OF our then fashionable
hotels in Broadway-sported themselves as we'll
as possible--attended the theatre, sought such
pleasures as they had taste for-and initiated
Frank into the mysteries of their yagabOnd'ns
kind of life. 1t will be recollected, however,
that the taste of these cheraiiers was somewhat
low aud coarse. Richard being. though strong
minded, acute, cunning man, not particularly
refined either by education society. They
might be reckoned IN this city sort Of third or
fourth rate young men of pleasure, who to supply
an empty purse would prefer broad robbery to
fashionable forgery, or a piece of genteel swim:
ding. Frank admired the pleasures furnished
nv New York. gave loose to the impetuosity oil
his character-showed his fs,nness, his imper.
turable command Of countenance and feelings
in a variety Of little anecdotes which were re.
lated, and circulated among his associates at sa'
lem.
At last, the funds which were principally. fur
nish.d DIV the first felony Of Frank upon ms ia,
tber. become low. and the little band OF brothers
we're seem reduced to tie extremity Of procuring