New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-12-12
SHOOTS HIMSELF FIVE
TIMES; STILL LIVES
WouId-Be Suicide Disappointed
When Doctors Tell Him He
Will Get Well.
WOUNDED, HE RIDES MILES
Intervals Fires Bullets Into
Body, Praying in Vain
for Death.

man gifted with iron constitu-
ton and marvellous vitality lies in ST
scious. with five bullets from 30 cali
bre revolver in his left breast, one of
doctors say he will probably recover, and
this is the only thing which seems to
trouble the wounded man He inflicted
the wounds himself
On Saturday afternoon Frederick
Knocke, man of middle age, living at
No. 122 Huron street, Williamsburg,
went to make a call on his sister, Mrs.
z. H. Hoppe, of No. 20 GlenWood Road.
Montclair To his sister be said he was
despondent and tired of life. but he gave
10 intin1at ton that he was about to do
anything desperate, and then he left
her.
Through the binding snow of Saturday
night Knocke fought his way for two
blocks and then the temporary encour-
had given him departed and black
thoughts came to him. A few blocks
from Mrs Heppe's house he came upon
vacant lot where the snow had free
sweep, and here was the spot he selected
to end his troubles, In moment ne hau
drawn the revolver from his pocket and
inserted five cartridges in the chamber
la.r in nTed
a bullet into his breast.
The flow of the warm blood down MS
chest seemed pleasant, after the chilling
snow that cIung about him, and feel
ing of peace crept over the man. How
long he remained PROSTATE in the held
he does not know. but after waiting
long time in vain for death, Knocke
found himself still alive and determined
to make sure Of the next shot.
Shoots Himself Again.
He took more careful aim th's tl'ne'
and as he felt the numbing sensation
of the bullet entering his flesh. ne was
plea sed. with a grim satisfaction al ac-
complishing his purpose. Again ne ia'o
down in the chilling snow, confident no"
that the end was approaching.
After browsing off for probably half
an hour longer Knocle awoke with a
start. 70 find that his limbs we're be-
coming numb with the intense cold: he
was still alive, and cursed his Ill FORT
uDe the fate which would not allow him
to leave behind the world ana IT'S
troubles. He rose TO his knees and
shook himself free of the snow. He
sroped about for the revolver and MS
fingers closed on it with unWonted
strength This was to he the final test,
he thought.
Knocke knew that he had only three
bullets left in the revolver, but this did
not cause him worry, for surely he could
end matters with three we'll directed
shots. This time he pressed the muzZle
of the weapon firmly against his coat
and pulled the trigger. The three muff1ed
reports were almost drowned in the
moaning of the wind, but he felt that
he had done his work we'll, for the shock
almost threw him backward on the
sro,,nd Now the snow all about was
stained with his blood.
Of his surroundings, some hours later
he was almost secreted beneath the
drifting White-but he was still alive
The penetrating cold reused him. He
had despaired of ending his life now. but
he did not want to remain there, where
the winds cut so fiercely
STAGGERED to Railway Station.
Staggering his clothing covered with
snow and with his eyes glazed with pain,
Knocke entered the railroad station IN
Montclar and bought a ticket for New
Yorl, When the train drew in he threw
himself in a seat and fell into a doze.
His coat was burned with powder and
there were five gaping holes in it. From
these holes blood came and fell on the
seat.
Knocke rinally reached Brooklyn.
Here followed a long ride on the surface
cars to the home of another sister, at NO.
oO2 Franklin street He still wore the
tattered coat streaked with blood, yet
n, one seemed to notice anything un
usual about him.
AS Knocke reached the hallway lead
ing TO MS sister ) dpdT TtIiielt he iui 'hou
heavily and fell to the floor. 1t was late
at night. and no one was Venturing out
Of the house because of the storm.
Knocke lay there until s O'Clock yester-
day morning, when his sister found him
and called the police. Knocke was taken
to St Catharine's Hospital.
After being placed on the operating
table he recovered consciousness, and at
once expressed his regret that his at
tempt on his life had been unsuccessful.
He willingly told all the details of his at
tempt at killing himself, and on his con-
fession was made prisoner on charge
of attempted suicide.
FRENCH HEELS DOOMED