Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-02-11
BOB NEVER HAD A CHANCE.
From the Tiue Prince Schmidt Declared
War on kneebs.

OF the famous ease. Not one OF these |
histories" is correct. states the Sioux |
City Journal.
Even if kneebs did ring Bethel for
Nellie Kneebs, as the German court
has said he did, the offense was no
greater than that of Prince Schmidt.
his prosecutor. There never was any
chance for old Bob to win out in this
case. The prince, who is political
power in Berlin, and controls the race
tracks of the empire, never could for
give Kneebs for striking him across the
face with whip. Even the friends OF
Bob say that was where he acted un-
wise. II, when the prince made the
proposition to go into the ringing BUSH
ness as partners, Kneebs had listened
patiently and considered, instead OF
getting on his dignity and slashing the
German across the face, he would have
been wealthy man today, and would
have been eligible on all American
tracks. But that night OF the fight in
tie little German cafe old Bob and the
prince declared war on each other, and
now the Sioux City vetran knows what
it is to be up against it. The Chicago
Record had the following to say:
The long and notorious case of Rob-
ert T. Kneebs, which has absorbed
trans. Atlantic trotting interests for
nearly three years has finally dragged
l i<c 81 lann o1O IN hot
it's termination. Last Friday the final
hearing was held in Berlin, and kneebs
got nine months Imprisonment, and
two years. civil disability, fine of a
1000 marks was levied upon him, and
his famous mare, Nellie kneebs
Bethel,) confiscated by the German
government. Some slight mitigation
remains in the fact that the seven
months which Kneebs has already
spent in duranse vile are to be deduct
ed from the term Of confinement pro-
vided by the sentence. But otherwise
the punishment is final, although. of
course, kneebs may appeal the de-
cision. But he is hardly apt to do so.
1t will be three years in the early
spring since RobertT. kneebs sailed
for Europe in quest of new adventures
and experiences. During his long
career at home his history has been
chock full of them, but he was destined
to meet with still others across the
pond. He made the campaign OF 1894
on the German tracks with mare that
he called Nellie Kneebs. She swept
the board clean and exhibited 80 much
speed and such unmistakable signs
of racing ability and experience that q
we'll defined suspicion arose that she
was far from being the green mare that
kneebs represented her. An investi-
cation was set on foot, and when sever
al Americans recognized the mare as
several seasons In this country and
given her record of 2:l6.l-4 in
1893, both she and her owner we're ap-
pretended.
The German laws against ringing
are very stringent, and when Kneebs
found himself in the clutches of the law
he put bold front on, denied all the
charges against him, in toto, and made
fight against the courts. Had he been
wise he would have quietly accepted
the punishme that would have been
: melted out to him; but he entered into
legal fight, probably little dreaming
of the persistence and vigilence with
which he was to be prosecuted.
Nellie Kneebs, besides being mare
OF marked individual points naturally.
carried peculiar scar on her left fore
E arm, and an ear from which notch
, had been taken. 1t was these marks
which first led to her Identification as
: Bethel, for American turfmen of the
west remembered that Bethel had them
J also. But Kneebs instantly asserted
that she was really Nellie Kneebs. and
that the real Bethel was running out
on an American farm. Having taken
this stand he left no stOae unturned to
t fortity his position. Obtaining release
from custody in 1895, he returned to
the states aud arranged all the details
] OF his defense. But the German au.
t thorities patiently probed the matter
!; to the bottom, as a last resort sending
i a commissioner to America to person
8 ally examine the pseudo Bethel aud sift
7 all the evidence Obtainable, The com.
missioner. Prof. Eggeling, took plenty
I OF time and pains to satisfy himself, and
was very nOncOmmittal when here.
I But evidently he found the evidence ali
s against Kneebs' effort to pass of Bethel
E as Nellie Dneebs, and Clara Chatham
: as Bethel, for it was his testimony that
/ proved decisive on the final hearing ol
the case.
So Kneebs will have his fine OF !, OO(
marks-about S2OO-to pay, and two
months longer to spend in jail. He has
! already spent good deal Of money en-.
!. deavoring TO clear his skirts; addition
4 ally, the two American trOtting tribu.
!. nais-the National and American-hav
ing previously become satisfied OF his
guilt. expelled him some time ago
$ Now, advanced in wears, he fluids him.
5 self an outlaw ON two continents and
! his occupation--in which he was un.
commonly able and successful gone
II ia not pleasant prospect for an Ole
= man to face-but the way Of the con
!: victed .ransgressor cannot be less thar
hard
Card o. Thanks.
]. To the many friends who so kindly
!, aided Us during the eic11noss death and