Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1884-01-12
HORACE GREELEY KNAPP.
A SKETCH OF THAT WOKTHY'S
DOlNGS IN THIS CITY.

Vile Beaten TO food JOB, ana How
He Left Here UnceremOniOusiy with.
out Completing It-A Fine Instructor,
Indeed!
A couple of days ago, we published
a communication from Horace Greeley
Knapp, in which that fellow, with
characteristic impudence, charged
that the Supf rintendent of Construct
ion of the courthouse, in refusing to
permit him to draw more money than
he believed him entitled to, was guilty
of unwarranted interference. The
communication was characteristic OF
fellows of the Knapp stripe.
Last June Mr.. Knapp came to Hal
ley, and advertised bimself as an ex-
perienced architect who, being pos
sessed Of vast means, had come west
to stay for few years, while enjoying
species Of dolce far niente, and re-
cuperating his health. His capital,
he said, was invested in United States
bonds, in property in Nyack on-the-
Hudson, and in 10000 shares in sew
ing company that were not only "good
as gold," but that sold at big pre-
MUM, and in various blocks of real
estate in New York city and else
where.
Just at that time, the contract for
the building of the courthouse was
about to be let, and as Mr.. Knapp
claimed to be competent and capable,
it was awarded to him. Many lead
ing citizens, deslrious of lending this
entire stranger helping hand, assisted
him with money and influence. He
had to give bond for $4,000 for the
faithful performance of the work, but
this was readily forthcoming. AS
soon as the contract was let, security
had to be given for the discount on
the first $4,000 Of the bonds, which
could not be placed at par. Mr.
Knapp, Notwithstanding all his blow
ing, could not give security for even
that small amount. so his bondsmcr
executed joint note for the 5000
Then the work began. Not"ith
standing all his boasting, Mr.. KNAPP
had hardly one dollar to begin with
But here again the bondsmen stepped
in, and he soon secured l,me,and sand
and stone, and brick, and wood, AM
stonecutters, masons, brlcklayer>
, laborers, and whatever else he needed
In this way, if he had pushed worl
with ordinary diligence, he woul'
have completed his contract in tn
, fall, and cleared several thousand dol
lars.
, But Mr.. Knapp did not do this
With the despicable cunning @
, small minds, he believed that he wa
!. securely planted in the pocket book
Y If not the affections-of the peopl
e of HALEY, and neglected his work
e He took up some desert land, h
S bought two lots and built house, h
y bought a team and light wagon, ais
I two saddles, and began rovin
= about the country. In brief he di
l everything but conduct the work Ell
ergetically. One thing he was care
j. full of, however, and that vas, to dra
J. every cent that he possibly coul
: from the county.
e His bondsmen became alarmed, an
l. inquiries were made East that statistic
= them that all was not right. III
e money that Mr.. Knapp had boosted
o possessing was not forthcoming. II
l. sewing machine company's shares we
D, not worth the paper they were printt
N on, he had no property that anybo'
knew of in Nyack, and no ira, e LOU
al he found of any property of his an
ID where. In addition to this, bills we
accommodating against him, small SUI
ar of m ,ney which he borrowed We
lg not repaid, and-worst Of all-he CT
xt ely beat his wfe-bcat a frail lit
woman who could not stand or,
en- word. His bondsmen, justly alarm'
notified the Superintendent of CO
struction that if he permitted
Knapp to draw one cent that he v
las not entitled to the contract allow
III him 70 per cent. on all work dol
Ter that the county would lose it, as
Es bondsmen did not propose to be h
Us for overdrafts. Besides, as nearly
is with whom he had had dealings
&