The San Francisco call., 1908-07-21
MRS.J.R. KNOWLAND
DIES SUDDENLY
Wife of Congressman, Recover
ing From Illness, Stricken
With Heart Failure
Was Woman of Unusual INTEL
lectuality and Noted as a
Brilliant Student

ALAMEDA, Cal. July 2O.-Stricken
suddenly with an attack of heart fail
ure, Mrs. Ellie Fife Knowland. wife of
Congressman Joseph r. KnowTand. died
at 5:45 o'clock this evening at the
family home, I543 Everett street
Physicians were in attendance on Mrs.
knowland for more than two hours be-
lor she died, but at no time was there
any hope that she would rally.
Mrs. Knowland became a mother just
three weeks ago and she and her baby
son were progressing splendidly until
about 10 days ago. when she was sud
denly attacked by pleurisy. The dis
ease affected her right side and in her
weakened condition made her seriously
III. but after 8 few days she appeared
10 be gaining strength, and her hns-
band and family were confident that
her recovery was assured. Yesterday
Mrs. Knowlsnd felt so much better that
she sat up for a time, and today she
attempted TO walk about the house.
But apparently she had Overestimated
her strength, for while she was on her
feet, at about 3 o'clock this afternoon,
she cried that her heart was paining
her. Her nurse. who was near by,
rushed 10 her side, and the stricken
woman collapsed in her arms. DR.. I.
p. Tisdale was Immediately summoned
10 the house and Congressman Know
land, who was attending a directors
meeting at the Bank of Alameda, was
called by telephone 10 his wife's side.
When they arrived at the house II was
apparent that Mrs. KnowIand was
dying. and all the doctors efforts
proved unavailing TO prolOng her life
for more than two hours and hall.
Her husban and children were at her
side when the end came.
MEMBER OF PROMINENT FAMILY
Mrs. Knowland was the daughter Of
the late E. J. Fife Of Tacoma, Wash.
Her mother, Mrs. ". II. Fife, is still
living In Washington and was notified
Of her daughters death by telegram
this evening. Mrs. Knowland was born
in Cherokee, Iowa, "a years ago. She
leaves three children; Gilmore, aged 1S;
Russell. aged 6, and her infant son,
aged three weeks. A brother, Colonel
". ]. Fife Of Oakland, who was in
command Of the Washington regiment
of volunteers in the Spanish war; sis
ter. Mrs Minnie Smith Of Auburn,
Wash, and another brother, George w.
Fife Of this city, also survive her
WAS A BRILLIANT STUDENT
Mrs. Knowland became the wife Of
Joseph r. Knowland April 5, 1884 in
Tacoma. The wedding took place in
aged by Mrs Knowland's father. Her
acquaintance with her future husband
began while the two were students at
the University Of the Pacific at San
Jose. where the congressman received
his college education. Mrs. Knowland
also studied for a time in the Gin
cinnati School Of Art She was
woman Of unusual intellectually and
was noted as q brilliant student. After
her marriage she took an absorbing
interest in her husbands career and
during his terms in congress she was
a prominent figure in the official So
ciety Of the national capital. In local
social circles she was always. by virtue
Of her brilliant intellectual attainments
and charming personality, regarded as
Z. leader and she was one Of the most
active members OF the Adelphian club.
Arrangements for the funeral VIII not
be made until the mother and sister
OF the dead woman announce the time
of their arrival in this city.