St. Paul daily globe., 1891-06-08
FIFTEEN YEARS OF SILENCE.
Husband and Wife Fail to Be
Reconciled and He Goes Away.

Husband and Wife Fail to Be
Reconciled and He Goes Away.
Philadelphia Record.
After living with his wife for fifteen
years IN their cosy home in Horsham
township, Montgomery county, without
speaking word to her in all that time,
j. Henry Knott has mysteriously de-
camped, thus apparently completing
one of the strangest domestic dramas on
record. The little hamlet of Three
runs, which consists principally of
tavern and general store, is in ter
ment OF excitement over the strange
case, because the principal character
was formerly highly respected citizen
OF the community.
In 1870 Miss Hannah l.. Miller. then
of Philadelphia, married j. Henry
Knott. of Maryland. They settled in
Horsham township on a five-acre tract
of land, where they have since resided
Knott was an industrious man, and, al
though his place is small one, has
managed to make a comfortable living.
He is what is known as trucker, de-
voting all his land to the cultivation of
vegetables; and fruits. Three chill
dren resulted from the union.
Knott has always been a strictly tenn
perate man, moral in every respect, and
a general favOrite among his neighbors.
But he was Southerner, with all a
Southerner's impetuOsity and hot blood.
he was known among his neighborS as
stubborn man. Mrs. Knott is herself
woman of refinement. and is possessed
of much of her husbands nature.
Their troubles began shortly after their
youngest child was born, about fifteen
cinnQ xuhi0h
has passed between them.
Mrs. Knott was seen YESTERDAY, and
when asked how the difficulty origin
ated, replied that she scarcely knew.
I'VE could never agree very well, and
the trouble came Oh gradually. He was
Overbearing, and refused to allow me
any privileges. Finally. in paroXysm
of rage, he refused to speak to me. We
were both too proud to give in, and have
lived together for fifteen years without
exchanging word. If he wanted TO
through one of the children.
He had meditated leaving me for
some time, and often spoke to the
nelghbors about returning to his folks.
His father is a well-to-do farmer in
Maryland, and l presume that is where
he has gone. He wrote to my son from
West Chester, and also from Baltimore,
saying he was well and hoped we were
the same. No, he made no provi-
sion for my support. and has
lett me in precarouS position.
The property is i'll my name. although
there is mortgage on it. The interest,
amounting to SO, is now due. He also
left store bill of over $40, which |
shall have to pay. In fact, he took
everything with him he had, including
two fine horses, new carriage, most of
the farming implements, and about $500
i'll money. He left $40 for his younger
son. The place will have to be sold
He bade US ali good-by when he left,
and wanted to take my daughter with
him, but she refused to CO."
Mrs Knott is frail-looking woman,
and for several years had been afflicted
with rheumatism, having to consider
able extent lost the use of her hands
The daughter. 1mogene Estella, is a
rather pretty girl of sixteen. and has
always been favorite with her father.
The elder son is employed in a store at
Oak Lane. the younger son, who is
about seventeen, being left in charge of
the place. Their home has been COM
pletely broken up. and a gloom has
been cast over the peaceful neighbor-
hood of Three Tuns.
The impression among Knott's friends
is that had they known he was really
going. they might have interceded and
at least have prevented his departure.
He IS spoken of i'll laudatOry terms, al
though he is credited with having a
high temper. Mrs. Knott hopes that he
may yet write for her to come to him.