The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-12-19
MAN IS BATTERED
TO DEATH WITH Ak;
WIFE ACCUSED
Frank Kniffen, D. U. r. Conductor,
Murdered as He Sleeps in Home,
and Suspicion Points Strongly
To Woman.
Her Shoes Fit Tracks Leading To
Shed Where B,ood-Smeared Weapon
Is Found-Protests Innocence.

Frank Kniffen, for 10 years q con-
ductor on the Jefferson line OF the
ID. U. R., lies dead in the county
morgue, his head battered in by
blows from the blade of heavy ak.
His wife, Mrs. Nellie Kniffen, who
lived with him and their four young
children at No. 375 lie May-ave., Ia
held in the Central police station.
accused OF his murder, the most bru-
tai crime Detroit has known in
years.
After a three-hour session with
Chief of Detectives Mcdonnell, As
sistant Prosecutor Aldrich and q
stenographer, the woman emerged
from the detective bureau. unshak-
en-. She denies she is a murderess,
but she can give no plausible explain
alton of how the affair happened.
The police are inclined to the belief
that she Is insane.
Her eldest daughter, Pearl, was
questioned next, but nothing could
be learned from her. The captain
thinks the girl knows more than she
will tell.
Mrs. Kniffen told the captain that
her husband had talked of putting
her in an asylum and she had implor-
ed him not to send her away from
him, and her children, for whom she
evinces passionate fondness. In
this, the police see a possible motive
for the frenzied act, this and her in
tense jealousy of the man.
Tells Troubles to Police.
She said that only Sunday even
ing, she had talked to FIR. Stapleton.
OF the Church of the Annunciation,
about her troubles. She told him
that her husband had been talking
OF putting her in an asylum.
Mrs. Kniffen said that she took
her eldest boy, Tom, and the baby,
Helen, who Is three, to the theater,
Sunday evening. They returned home
at IL o'clock. Kniffen had retired.
His wife came to his bedside. She
says he had his back turned to her.
He turned around and kissed her.
little later she went to her own
room, according to her story. She
maintains that she knows nothing
else, excepting that at 1920 a. m. she
heard groans from his room. She
went there and found the pillows
olood,soaked. Her husband was un-
conscious.
The captain showed her the blood
stained AK
is this the ax?" he asked.
>. fes' she answered. II suppose
| ii is"
Pearl Kniffen is Just as stolid az
the mother. The girl retired with all
her clothing on, SUNDAY night She
was still fully dressed when abe was
cailed Monday morning. After a long
talk with the child, Capt McDon.
nell intimated that she knew that
her father was to meet his death.
She Will be questioned further. Mon
day afternoon.
Helen Kniffen, the three-year-old
baby, already has become a pet
around the police station. She does
not realize the terrible calamity that
mas FALLEN upon her, and all Monday
morning, she prattled of Santa Claus
and the things he is going to bring
her for Christmas.
Cant Find Papa" Baby Lisps.
only once. she looked very grave
ana with wondering eyes, she looked
up at one big officer and lisped: II
can ma my papa. | can't find him
anywhere"
detective Richard Stenton, with the
nylng squadron from police headquar.
ters, placed the woman under arrest.
about o'clock Monday morning. The
BODY was examined by Coroner Roth.
acher at 5:45 a. IN. He gave IL as
his opinion that Kniffen had been
dead more than an hour. The body
was still warm.
Mrs. Kniffen told the coroner that
she occupied different room from
her husband and was aroused about 3
O'Clock by his groams. In the same
Continued on Page NineJ
Dancing at Coliseum. Parties every
Mon, Thurs, Sat. Mat. Xmas afternoon