Los Angeles herald., 1909-02-23
SHOOTS WOMAN,
KILLS HIMSELF
JEALOUS FRENZY CAUSES
FATAL CRIME
CALLS VICTIM TO HIM; FIRES
FOUR SHOTS AT HER
After Shouting That Already He Had
Slain His Wife, Fred knobIock
Attempts Murder, Then
Ends Own Life

Declaring he had killed his wife and
intended to slay a second victim, Fred
Knoblock, 35 years old, fired four shots
at Mrs. Odessa Norris, a pretty woman
aged 19 years, and then shot himself
at 235 East Fourth street at 2:30 O'Clock
yesterday. The bullet entered his brain
and caused instant death.
Mrs. Norris was painfully but not
seriously wounded, and was taken 70
the receiving hospital, where two bull
let's that had penetrated her right and
left hips were extracted. Last night she
was resting comfortably, suffering g
more from shock than from the in
juries inflicted.
Knoblock's body was removed to
Bresee Brothers morgue.
Insane jealousy is the cause ascribed,
as Knoblock had endeavored to in
duce the woman to live with him. Ac-
cording to the story she told the police,
she persistently refused.
Until Saturday last Knoblock and his
wife lived at 1923 Overton street, but
their furniture was found packed for
removal, and information was that the
couple intended going to Glendale.
At II o'clock yesterday morning Mrs.
Norris went to the taXidermist shop of
Roth Reynolds, 235 East Fourth street,
to see about having rug made. While
engaged in conversation with Mr..
yIlOlUS III LIlC ydIQ III IIl6 IGdA
of the shop Knoblock came down the
alley adjoining the yard and motionej
to Mrs. Norris that he wished to talk
with her.
Couple Holding Hands
She went to him, and according to
eyewitnesses the couple engaged in
conversation about ten minutes be-
fore the shooting happned. They were
talking earnestly and not angrily, for
they were holding hands, when Knob
lock cried out that he had cut his
wife's throat and would now kill Mrs.
Norris. Reaching his right arm over
the fence which separated them he
Immediately fired.
After the first shot Mrs. Norris ran
about six feet and fell, screaming: 81
am killed." The infuriated man fired
three more shots and then started up
the alley, but suddenly turned, and
placing the revolver to his head fired
the remaining shot, blowing the top
of his head off and causing instant
death.
Mr.. Reynolds ran to the scene at the
first shot, and while attempting to
jump the fence received one of the
bullets through the back of his right
hand. The injury was dressed at the
receiving hospital.
Not much is known in Los Angeles OF
either of the participants in the trag-
edy.
Eyewitness Talks
w. ]. McCloskey, an eyewitness 20
the shooting, made this statement:
1.-The two were talking in the back
yard of the shop at 235 East
Fourth street. I could not hear
their conversation. Suddenly Knob
lock yelled out about having cut his
wife's throat and intending to kill
Mrs. Norris. Mrs. Norris, who was
partially seated on the fence, started
to get down, when Knoblock reached
over the fence and fired. l ran toward
him. but he fired four more shots in
quick succession, and the bullet which
ended his life before 1 reached him.
have known Mrs. Norris for about two
months and Knoblock a short time
Mrs. Norris was better known by the
name of Billie Mitchell, and was
rooming at Hotel Cadillac, corner Of
Tenth and Main streets. l knew that
KnOblocl1 was jealous of Billie but
[ did not think he would do such a
thing, as he has a wife with whom he
has been living"
After Mrs. Norris had recovered
sufficiently from the operation of re-
moving the bullet she made this state
ment:
Il have known Fred for five months.
me, I have always repulsed him, as I
knew he was a married man. I did not
think it right to go with him as I am
married myself and have never OBJ
tanned divorce, although I am not liv-
ing with my husband. Fred was a good
fellow, who never drank, smoked or
swore, and I rather liked him; but
under the circumstances 1 could not
so with him.
Made Previous Attempt
Last Friday he met me on the street
and attempted to kill me them, but I
wrested the revolver from him and took
it to my house. This happened on
Seventh street, between Hill and Olive
1 took the revolver home with me aud
put it in my trunk. This morning he
came to Mr.. Reynolds shop and called
me to the fence. He repeated his re-
quests that I should live with him and
I refused. He told me he was hungry
and had no money, and said would
give him the money I had for my room
= rent and 10 cents that was over, but
this did not satisfy him. He was shak-
ing badly and acted like crazy man
While I feel sorry for him I do not
think he ought to have shot me. as 1