The Washington times., 1922-01-23
KNOWLES
IS SENT TO
H0SPIT tai
Hunger Striking Prisoner Suf-
fsrs Agonizing Pains on Six
teenth Day OF Fast.

Suffering agonizing pains in his
chest and stomach because Of his
persistent refusal TO eat any food
az protest against his imprison-
ment, ALFRED r. Knowles, twenty
seven-year-old war veteran, was re-
moved from his celh to the hospital
ward in tn District Jail this morning.
Sixteenth Day Of Fast. 8,
This is the sixteenth day Of
Knowles seif-imposed fast. he having
declared that he would rather starve
himself TO death than remain In pris-
on to serve the six-year sentence he
received In the District Court fol-
lowing his conviction on charges OF
stealing and buying stolen automo-
biles.
Knowles IL but shadow OF his
former self. He Is too weak to SIT In
his bed in the hospital ward, but
talks and acts nationally. DR.. Davies.
resident physician at the jail. who
has daily examined Knowles since
the war veteran went on a hunger
strike, advised that he be taken from
the cell to the hospital ward, where
he could be constantly under the
eyes Of physicians.
It IL believed that II win be neces-
sary to force liquid food down the
mans throat to keep him alive. This
will be decided this afternoon, as II
is believed that Knowles will not be
able to live much longer without
food.
Bought Stolen Auto.
Although Knowles protests his In
nocence Of the charges under which
he was sentenced, he practically con-
victs himself II is alleged. In a letter
that he Is alleged to have written
Milton s. Kronheim. OF the Columbian
building, who went on his bonds for
$4,000 following the war veterans ar.
rest and pending his trial.
"God knows I am not guilty Of steal
ing, but I did buy one car that 1 knew
was stolen" Knowles wrote. He also
declared in the letter that he planned
to flee from Washington as he did not
believe he would get fair trial. He
disappeared as he threatened. but
was later captured and brought back.
= Letter to Kronheims. 4
Here is the text of the letter re-
ceived by Kronheim:
Dear Old Friend: I have decided
that there is but one way for me to
get out of this and that is to jump
oond- BY the time you receive this
WIN be many miles away from
Washington. Now, listen to reason.
viii send you the $4,000 in thirty
or forty days, as II will take that
time for me to get II. II you swear
out a warrant for me you will never
get the money or me, either. But IL
YOU don't get the money by the time
I say, will say. Bring me back to
Justice
ct am sorry to do this, but it's the
only way out Of the situation. All
the law is against me, 30 what can 1
dor ] want to tell you, however,
that I am not guilty OF stealing
God knows / am not, but i did buy
one car that knew was stolen.
ALFRED r. KNOWLES"
Alfred q. Armstrong, secretary to
Congressman Philip p. Campben OF
Kansas, again was q visitor at the
jail yesterday. Mr.. Armstrong also
has talked to District Attorney Pey-
ton Gordon regarding the conviction
and sentence Of Knowles, who IL
from Fredoria, Kan.
Congressman Campbell was ap-
pealed to by Knowles, and he has
started a probe to learn all the facts
connected with the war veterans con-
viction. ...-..
"of course. II Knowles 10 innocent,
as he protests, he should be released"
said Mr.. Armstrong. I'VE will look
into his case thoroughly before taking