Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1884-01-29
HORACE GREELEY KNAPP.
THE REV, d. L. MANSFIELD VOuChES
FOR MIN.
He Has Known Him from BOyh0Od, as a
Competent Mechanic, Successful
Architect, and An Honorable and Just
Man.
ST. MARY's HALL, BENIc1A, CAL. |
January %. 1884. !

ST. MARY's HALL, BEN1c1A CAL.
January rs. 1884.
To THE EDITOR OF THE T1MEs:-
Your letter of January 18th came
duly to hand, covering an article clip
ned from the DAILY TINES in refer
ence to Mr.. Horace Greeley Knapp,
whose name appears in an advertise
ment of St. Mary's Hall, as lecturer
on Art, etc. l read with profound
establishment the series of charges
contained in that article against
gentleman whom | have known from
boyhood, near whom lived for years
as neighbor at Nyack-on-the- Hud-
son, with whom l had various bust
ness transactions in the line of his
profession as an architect, and whom
had always found to be truthful, hon
est and manly.
Beginning life as a practical me-
chanic, by the force of his genius,
faithful study of his profession under
the best masters of architectural art,
in New York City, and a high and
noble ambition, sustained by per-
sistence rarely equaled, ne mastered
his profession, and became one Of the
most original, capable and successful
architects in the East. He made de-
signs for me for several buildings
embracing a railroad station, cot
tage, a handsome villa and a magni
fcent edfice for school purposes-all
of which gave the highest satisfaction
as being very complete and appropriate
for it's purpose. These various struct-
ures designed by Mr.. Knapp brought
me into frequent contact with him in
the way OF business, and ] always
found him honorable and just in all
his dealings, and | never heard these
qualities called in question, during the
many years Of my acquaintance with
him, until | read the article which APP
peared in the TIMES. In your letter
referring to that article-you say ''i'
NAV contain information of interest tc
| YOU" by which | understand you to
: intimate his unhtness to occupy the
position of lecturer on art in the
school which represent, and in re
: gard to which extract you kindly
speak in complimentary terms. |
would require complete reversal o
opinions, founded on a long and init
mate knowledge of Mr.. knapp's quail
tiles as gentleman and business
man, to accept the Characterization
given him in that article. | canno
e doubt that by some mistake or SOM
+ too-hopeful estimate Of resources Mr.
Il Knapp believed himself able to ac
: complish his work Of builing the Hal
G ley Court House, even if he now seen
: unable to do so; and that he ever con
: .emplated the leaving of his gcrerou
s bondsmen in the lurch, l cannot for
moment believe. From my long &C
: quaintance with Mr.. Knapp, feel as
= sured, that the generous conhdenc
: with which the citizens of Haley hon
ored him at tirst-and which the al
e ticle in question so graphically set
If forth as basis for its Indictment
e was fully deserved, and that the late
: distrust and censures are undeserve
and unjust The article in the TINE
illustrates what happens every day
that communities are carried, undt
excitement. from one extreme
\ another-and frequently without an
,r sufficient reason. Mr.. knapp's orig
lie inal popularity in Hailey-as md
d Gated by the article referred to-ws
= doubtless the resul; Of his person;
:, influence, which inspired coniidenc
in him as an honorable man and
e. competent architect and builder; an
his subsequent disfavor to a concu
r, renee of circumstances which hav
~ led HIM to pursue course not az
" proved by the people of Haley, b'
=. cause the reasons of his action we,
70 no. apprehended, and the precis
n state of facts was not understood
re BY correspondence with Mr.. KNAPP
IL | know that he intended when he lie
- New York to come t, San Francisc
ok and that his stop at HALEY w
p caused by tine opportunity offered
build the courthouse.
at Once there, and interested in II
ne place, he built his cottage and took t
Ter desert land. and had his wife's heal
!