Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1880-09-23
Over Niagara Falls.

The Niagara Falls Telegraph gives
the following account of the recent sui
eide at that place:
George w. Knapp, of Utica, committed
suicide here last night by leaping into the rap
ids. He made his preparations in the most
careful manner, even going SO far as to pro-
cure pistol with which he evidently intend
ed to shoot any one who should interfere with
the train from Buffalo, and after sending a
telegraph message, went to the lnternat1onaI
Hotel, where he had supper. What he did
took his frightful leap is mystery. Mr.. e. G.
Nusener, of Drummondsville, Ont, and his
viewing the falls from Prospect Park, went to
Tugby's bazar, just south of the bridge which
spans the rapids to Goat Island. The young
lady sat down on long seat on the balcony
which extends along the side of the bazaar
and over the rapids, and her companion went
young attendant. Very soon after this, Knapp
came along, and what followed was told by
Miss Evart to your correspondent, as follows:
mir. Nusener, with whose family am at
came over to the American side of the river,
and after spending short time in Prospect
Park we went to Tugby's bazaar. He and l
sat down on the seat along the balcony, and
my cousin went into the bazaar, and stood in
conversation with Miss Mary Haney. L sat
there about three minutes, when the man
came along. 1t was rather dark at the time
However, should say that he was a tall and
rather stout man Of middle age, and wore q
dark suit of clothes. He wore a full beard,
sat away ans
peared to be in deep thought. He sat there
extreme corner of the balcony, ten feet fur
Their away. He sat down, pulled out diary,
hastily scrubbed a few words, then tore out the
leaf and pinned the note inside of his coat, on
the right side. He then removed the garment
and took off his vest. He did not seem to be
excited. and thought that probably he had
w eG irving
to cool off. However, 1 continued to watch
him. He stopped moment, as though hold
moved his cuffs. He laid bis hat on top Of the
clothes, and, mounting the railing. stood there
minute. Then, drawing pistol. he raised
with one. Just as he did this he bent his knees
and gave the frightful leap into the rapids.
turned just then, so frightened that knew
not what to do. I just managed to yell, and
Charley and others came instantly up"
=, Those who ran out on the balcony say that
awful precipice, eighty rods away. and that
the body shot into the darkness and down the
seething abyss like ball shot from cannon.
No cry was heard from the suicide who SO
deliberately and determinedly ended his ca
reer. A crowd soon gathered around. Pc
dead mans effects, which were found neatly
folded and piled upon the seat. The note
pinned on the coat read:
.. Please express these to E. F. Emery; % John
The signature was in plain, bold hand. In
aVeSt pocket was found q plain gold Engl1Sn
lever watch, and elsewhere were a memoran-
dunn book, containing bills and $S4. Is in mon
ey, counterfeit trade dollar, eyeglasses. knife,
and match and tobacco boxes. The cuffs were
found in a coat pocket. On n bunch of keys
was plate marked knapp, residence 10
Cooper street, Utica.
The cause of the suicide is a mystery. Just
after the suicide telegraph boy ran down to
deliver the answer to the message Knapp sent
earlier in the evening, and which was about
business matters.
Knapp was evidently sane, and went about
the business of ending his life with GOODNESS
and deliberation. Nobody knows anything
about the man. L he body, for which search is
now being made along the banks Of the river
below the falls, has not yet been found and
probably will never be recovered.
The last suicide here was that of "Pipus"
Walker, boatman, who, full of liquor got in
small boat and went over the falls. His body
was never recovered