Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-11-25
COUNCIL BLUFFS
FAMILY fEUD NAY Be FATAL
James N Knapp Shoots His Son and
Follows Up by Shoe ing Wife.
STARTS OUT TO txrERWlNATt FAMILY
husband and wife Had Separated and
Knapp Was Angry Because the
SON sided with His
Mother.

Armed with a double barrelled shotgun
and starting out with the avowed intention
" killing every member of his family
James NJ. Knapp, aged fisherman, last
evening shot his wife and son, John NJ.
Knapp, aged 30 years. Both we're shot in
the back. The son was removed to the
General hospital, where Il was stated his
chances for recovery depended on whether
ony of the shot had penetrated the abdo-
ininal cavity, while the woman who was
not seriously injured, was treated at her
home on Avenue @. Kate, the 11-year-old
daughter Of j. II. Sherlock, 2siO Avenue
d, was struck In tho back by some OF the
stray shot when Knapp fired at his son,
but was not seriously hurt.
Knapp and his wife have been separated
for over three years and the shooting last
evening was the elimination of several
years Of domestic infelicity. Knapp and his
son have frequently quarreled because tho
latter always took the part OF his mother,
and since she separated from the old man
The son has made his home with her. Knapp
who made his escape after the shooting
is said to have been drinking heavily. He
was last seen making his way towards the
motor tracks on Avenue A and Is believed
to have crossed the river TO Omaha, al
though It was suggested that possibly he
lIiBHN idNt lllONu llliibtil lllAO Nlit llNtI'
The shooting occurred shortly before C
o'clock. John NJ. Knapp, the son. was re-
turning from work in East Omaha and
was about to call at the home of his sister.
Mrs. Louis HaIght, 2s24 Avenue L, when
he saw his father standing in the roadway
near the house. The old man. II is said,
allied out to the son:
I'm going to shoot you and kill the
whole id family"
The son did not pay much attention 10
he threat. as his father had made similar
mes on former occasions, and the son did
not notice that his father was armed with
t,gun. and II is supposed the old man hid
behind him. The son went into the
Haight house, but was no sooner in than
his sister, Mrs. Haight, came running ir
aging his father was outside with CUR
md was going TO shoot them all. The son
caring his father intended to kill his
mother, dashed from the house with the
Intention of fastening to his mothers home
hree blocks south. to warn her. Just as
returned the corner of the house the ole
nan raised the gun to his shoulder and
red, the charge of shot striking the sor
n the back and a few of the stray sho
lifting 11-year-old Kate Sherlock, who wa
the yard playing with the Haight child
-en. Mrs. Haight ran out at the sound o.
he shot and falling on her knees before
the old man cried:
For Gods sake, spare my children"
In the meantime the son managed to re
enter the house.
starts for Home of wife.
After shooting the son the old maj
started towards the home of his wife, bu
he daughter. Mrs. Haight, reached Their
ahead of him and called to her mother L
her life Mrs KnaDn started q rlII
across the street towards the home o
another daughter. Mrs. Malvern Henry
when the old man fred both barrels at her
he shot striking her in the back and arms
out owing to the distance inficting nothin
out flesh wounds.
Neighbors. attracted by the shooting
-ushed into the street and assisted Mr'
Knapp to her home. After shooting hi
wife Knapp crossed the street to the hous
II his daughter. Mrs. Henry, with the sur
,osed intention OF shooting her. but motto