Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-12-28
FORMER MAYOR B.
FRANK KNOX DIES
AFTERLONGFICHT
Diabetes, Aggravated by In
juries, Brings End After
Three Months.
uUBT IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT
On. Of the Oldest Native Born Rock
Islanders and His Death Will
Be Deeply mourned.

Reaiamin Franklin Knox Is dead
The former mayor passed away quiet
= AZ $50 this morning at St An
,bouy'e hospital. where he had been
.o,Aned since oct. 6. when he was in
.,.-ss in an automobile accident The
-s-be-s OF the family were at the
hsSs,de when the end came. The di-
a., cause OF his demise, according to
n Joseph DeSnva, who had been at
ending him. was diabetes, the Attic
,ton beile aggravated by injuries he
s,stsiued He had not been really
veil for several years.
NJ Knox was injured on the morn
i-r OF Oct. s. In company with Oscar
schmidt. Franz Happ and Frank p.
WEIGH. he was going 10 visit a farm
n, the Peter Fries estate near Rock
-sver in Mr. Schmidt's car. The par
~ had reached q point on Twenty
fourth street near Twentieth avenue.
The day was a warm one and Mr..
schmidt stood up IN the car. after al
loving Il TO slow down TO four miles
an hour. 10 remove MS coat. and Mr.
Knox. from the opposite seat, was en-
dsaver!ng TO direct the car. The
wheel struck q rut IN the road, swerv-
ing 10 one side. The earth gave way
and the heavy machine plunged over
q I2-foct embankment. taking a dag
onal course. turning half way over
when il struck the bottom. The rest
Of the party was thrown clear OF the
machine. escaping injury. but in some
manner Mir. Knox was pinned under
II. Both legs were broken between
The knee and the nip. He was taken
TO the hospital. where he mad been
confined since.
For a time after the accident hopes
we're held ont fer q complete recov-
cry. But owing TO his physical condi-
ton. complications set in. For the
last week he had been failing rapidly,
although 70 the end he had made a
brave fight for life.
In the death Of Mr.. Knox Rock Is
land loses one OF its best known and
most beloved citizens. Mr.. Knox was
brought ilto close contact with people
u all classes through his business and
political activities. and during mis- long
residence here had made a host OF
friends 70 mourn his passing He was
karita0le. almCs, TO a fault. and al
ways willing and ready 10 assist those
n need. Prominent IN city politics. he
lad always directed his efforts for the
Welfare Of the public. Among his as
,cciates he was known as a man OF
beautiful character. honest, upright
md cCngeniaI.
Bern in Rock Island.
Mr. Knox was born in Rock Island .
Dec ?. 1852. and was one OF its Oldest F..
citizens and had lived here
II Of his life. His parents were
'harles 3. Knox and Mary CGorhamJ
Knox. both OF whom were pioneers.
oming 20 Rock Island IN 1871 via the
Mississippi river from 81. Louis. His K
atner passed away in 1891 and his
neither two years later.
Mr.. Knox secured his early educa-
ion IN the public schools OF the city.
alter he had charge OF the business
Ece o. the Rock Island Union. In
SO he took up the undertaking bust
ess with his father. who was then
dvanced IN years. When mis- father
assed away in 1891 he took sole q
harge Of the business. and conducted ]
uli the time Of his death. Mr.. Knox I
'as stagnch republican and a mem Z
sr e the Methodist church. All his