The sun., 1898-10-02
Assaults, Attempted Assaults and
Criminal Operations Hold
Sussex Men Victims.
CASE OF DIR. |. H. D. KNOWLES
Oldest Physician in County Ruined by
Drink-Was q Crank on Obstet.
RIGS and Finally Became In
sane Over q Particular
Operation.

d6 dCCCeeOI lc> w 6Oulc CiiuC III WIiiCI
the honor of woman has been an inn
portant factor.
'Tis true that the country over such
men can be found. But it is also true
that in no territory the size of Sussex
county can be discovered an equal num-
ber of criminals out of the whole num-
ber confined in prison to whom can be
laid the crime of felonious assault, NAL
practice or indecency toward a woman.
Sussex countians are as rule good
people. All families live and thrive
amid Sussex sands. Yet the peculiar
criminal spirit of the place has even
crept into these eminently respectable
families.
The county jail over which Sheriff
John H. johnson is lord and in which
those who dare trespass the law of that
county have their residence, is in itself a
peculiarly interesting institution.
Things do not seem to 60 as would best
suit Mr.. johnson, and though lamenting
at present the dearth of prisoners he is
nevertheless exceedingly hospitable to
strangers who may have occasion to call
on matter of business.
In Sussex county prison today there
are 2l prisoners, which number though
small compared with Kent or New Castle
county, is nevertheless just 20 more than
the preceding sheriff Of Sussex had at
any one time. In other words Sheriff
Truxton made but one arrest during mis-
entire term. So it may be seen that the
mania for this peculiar crime has merely
had its existence during the present
sheriff's term.
OF these 2l prisoners 10 are confined
for either assault, attempted assault or
indecent conduct toward women. Lar
ceny of chickens plays great part in the
criminal annals of this term. One man
stole horse, killed it, skinned the
animal and sold the skin, all of which is
specified in the sheriff record
The most notable case of which the
sheriff has recorded during his term is
that of man who was committed to the
county Jail on January IA, 1898, charged
with abortion.
That man is DR.. Isaac Henry d.
Knowles, formerly the best known
physician in Sussex county, residing
| first at Seaford and then later at Bethel,
Del.
The case was a notorious one. The.
fact that the principal was ,,,erhaps the j..
best known physician IN the state a.-
tached great interest to it.
About the zenith day of January some
children returning from school found the
body of male baby in stream near
Laurel called Beaver Dam. 1t was at
once taken to the undertaking establish
ment Of E. B. Riggin. The coroner's
jury of which c. W. Kenney was fore
man, returned a verdict duplicating GER
tain persons and ordering the arrest of
DR.. Isaac Henry D. Knowles.
The order for his arrest was tele.
graphed to Georgetown and he was
taken to the county Jail and locked up.
At the adjourned inquest held the next
day the name of the young man and the
girl whom he had ruined and whom DR..
Knowles had performed his operation
were withheld by the jury. The girl
was however, a step-daughter of one
George L. Bryan of near Georgetown.
Shortly after DR.. Knowles arrest he
developed signs of insanity and upon
the recommendation of DR.. c. r. Lay
ton of Georgetown, and DR.. H. r. Bur-
ION of Lewes, the prisoner was removed
from the Jail to the Delaware State Hos
pital for the Insane at Farnhurst.
After the incarceration of Dr. Knowles
in Farnhurst, the story of his downfall
a sad one indeed came to light. His was
an eminently respectable family, and
having graduated in medicine, DR..
Knowles soon attained the largest practice
N Sussex county.
Eight years ago the doctor plunged
heavily into drink, and as result be-
,ame separated from his family. His
wife left him, going to Philadelphia,
where she lives today with her younger
on. Another son. Horace Greeley
Knowles, came to this city to study law,
vas admitted to the bar and has recent
y entered the political field of the city,
ounty and state. While the father lives
n inmate of Farnhurst, the son, Horace
ireeley, is trying to live down the dis
race brought upon the family by his
ather.
After becoming separated from his
amjly DR.. Knowles drank harder and
arder. Suddenly he developed craze to
'ork in only one branch OF his profess
obstetrics. He abandoned all other
raticing in the medical science and be.
ame confirmed crank on the delivery
babes from their mothers.
DR.. Knowles became habitual
rinker, sinking lower and lower all the
me. He was in the habit of driving all
YER the country looking and searching
IF women's cases in which he could use
is medical skill.
Time and again he was the subject
attempted assault, because of opera
ons performed upon young girls.
is proclivties in this particular direc-
on became generally known, hence,
hen the body of nude baby was
und in Beaver Dam stream and inves-
CATION led the officials to the step
aughter of this man Bryan, at once DR..
movies was suspected.
He plead guilty before becoming in
ne, and would have been sentenced to
'er ten years had his mind not given
ay, thereby necessitating his transfer
Farnhulst.
At Farnhurst DR.. Knowles continues
treat in soliloquy and conversation
lly the subject of obstetrics and opera
ons OF an obstetric character.
A Sanford Of Chester has been visiting
this city.
JoL,, Y;rt, of W;lp, ., ri on hoe oonuro1