Rock Island Argus., 1897-06-12
YOUNG LADY GONE.
Miss Knaack Disappears from
~, 10 the Verne Swain.
DID she COMMIT svIcIDE7
Was. Engaged to Be Married
tT' June %.

ire June %.
Her Clothes and Money Left
on the Boat.
Miss Berths Knaack, niece Of
Capt william G. Kuaack Of the
steamer Verne Swain, had been miss
ing since Thursday. She has been
serving temporarily % cabin girl on
the Verne. Capt. Knaack SCOTS at
the idea of his niece committing
spicide,- but, 10 at loss for
anv explanation Of what has become
of her. Her clothes and money were
left in her room on the boat.
The Verne took the Winona's trip
down Thursday afternoon In order TO
take On excursion out. Miss Knaack
finished up her work in the cabin,
and at about 4:SO when the boat WAS
leaving Princeton went down into
the kitchen and asked the cook II
every thing WAS done. Receiving an
Affirmative answer che returned to
the cabin. At Hampton Mrs. Capt.
Knaack with . few lady friends
boarded the boat. She Immediately
began inquiring for Miss Bertha.
Her 70 ,m was visited and the boat
Was searched, but no trace Of her
could be found. No one on the boat
had seen her after she left the kitch.
en- about 4:S0. 1t was first thought
that she might have gone ashore at
either Port Ryron or LIE Claire. and
missed the boat, but that she could
have left unnoticed WAS Q question
that did not appear clear to Capt
Kuaack. A number Of people were
let of at both Port Byron and Le-
Claire, and Miss Knaack could easily
have escaped notice had she dis
guised herself, but what would be
her motive for doing this?
Engaged to bs Aasrisd.
Miss Kpaack lived with her grand
mother, Mrs. Anna Knsack, and her
uncle, Capt. .Knaack. on Twenty
second street. in this city. She Was
an attractive girl, 19 years old, and
Of good natured. happy disposition.
She was engaged to marry Edward
Warnken, OF Davenport. The we'd.
ding day was set for the ESD Of this
month. and the furniture for tbs
couples new home had been ordered
in Rock Island. She had kept COM
pany with Mr.. Warnken for q couple
Of years, and her folks were we'll
pleased with her prospective hus-
band.
1t was thought probable that Miss
Knaack and her intended husband
had planned little romance and
met et one of the up-river town.
and were welded. But this theory
failed when Mr.. Warnken WAS found
at his home in Davenport.
Capt. Knaack WAS seen ON the
Verne Swain by IN ARGUS represent.
ative this morning. He 10 very
much affected over the disappear.
ance of his niece, and the young
lady's grandmother 10 almost pros.
trated with grief. Capt. Knaack il
daily waiting in hope Of his niece''
return.
Bertha would never commit
suicide" said Capt. Hnssck. "No
happier girl ever lived, and CAM
understand how she could have falleI
from the boat without someone see
ing her. There we're . number o
people on board from the time sh'
was seen until she WAS missed. i
WAS broad daylight. The whole Of
fair is deep mystery to mo. Sh'
could not have went ashore withou
me or the boat hands knowing itunles
she disguised herself. But what he
motive would be in running away
am at . loss to understand"
, Capt. Kuaack 10 inclined to believe
the latter theory. Miss Knasck maj
have had another beau ut Port ByroI
or LIE Claire, he says. and eloped will
him. 1t grieves Capt. Knaack 4
think that che would do such . thin
but he believes that it is more prob
able that the suicide or acciden
: theory.