The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-06-04
SHE woULDs'rMAnnY HIN.
A Craxed Lovers Desperate Deod- Deaf b
by sword Cane.

by sword Cane.
PHILADELPHIA, June 2.-The Pres has
the following: One Of the most sensation
al attempts at suicide that has occurred in
this city for long time happened up town
last night. Jacob Knopfelt, Swiss about
twenty.seven years old, is semployed in a
silk mill at Randolph street and Columbia
Avenue, land has always been sober and
industrious. He has for the last three
years beenlvisiting Miss Mary Ripp, seven.
teen years OF age, Of 1903 North Seventh
street, with matrimonial intentions. Ac.
cording to his. own story, he has spent
seyeral hundred dollars on the young lady
for presents. She never gave him any par:
ticular encouragement, and when he asked
the momentous question he was refused.
For some time past he has been very
gloomy aud low1spirited, but never ceased
his frequent visits to the young lady. All
day yesterday he was particularly morose,
but refused 10 give any reason for his be.
havior to his fellow workmen in the mill
where he was employed. Last evening he
left bis boarding house at l544 North Sixth
street and walked TO Delaware avenue.
When he arrived at the river near Shacka.
maxon street wharf he attempted to kill
himself with revolver, but only inflicted
slight wound in yhisjleit hand. He re.
turned to his home, and after attending to
his wounded hand be called on Miss Rlpp.
He again asked her to marry him, and was
again gently but firmly refused. After
yehemently upbraidipg her for her cruelty,
be partly drew the blade Of sword cane
he carried, and threatened to take her lie.
He then thrust the blade back in It's
sheath, and suddenly turning on his heel
eE ri A LAST APPEAL. ~
After. er.wandering about the streets for a
half hourjhe returned TO the house. Mrs.
Rippnoticed thathe looked and acted in a
very wild manner. He had dangerous
gleam in his eye, his hair was disheveled,
and his apparel very much disordered.
as Mary in?n he asked in q strange tone
OF voice, his teeth being clinched. q
"She has gone to bed" replied her moth
er, who was alarmed and anxious to get rid
Of the man. H !. pushed rudely past her,
however, and entered the hallway. Vio-
Ilently opening the parlor door, he discov.
cred Miss Ripp in company with another
young lady and two gentlemen. l...
II now ask you for the last time, will
you marry me-" be said. She arose and
attempted to leave the room. He inter
oepted her, however, and again asked her
the question. :.
"No," she said, T cannot marry you"
Again did he threaten to take her lie,
but suddenly drawing the blade ol his
sword. cane from its sheath, and grasping i
with both hands, he plunged it in his left
breast. The party rushed out of the par
lor, the ladies' almost .fainting with lear.
Officer Foulkrod, Of the Twelfth District,
Was called in, and discovered Knopfelt
Wing on the floor, apparently In the agon.
les OF death. An ambulance was called,
and he was taken to the Pennsylvania
Hospital While waiting for theconvey:
ance, he told the policemen, several OF
whom had arrived by this time, that he
was determined to die. The, ,yound II, his
breast is about one inch below the heart,
and bled inwardly. 1.-THE hospital he re.
fused TO let the dostors dress his wound.
It is thought that, there is little chance Of
his surviving. l.. LIZ VI