Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1923-10-25
3O''-
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN KNAPP

After several years OF physical dis
ability and months OF confinement to
hs bed, Mr.. Knapp passed away this
morn ng at the home OF Mr.. and Mrs.
NJ. Williams where he had been liv-
ing tor the entire period of his decline.
Mr.. Knapp was one of the earliest
arrivals to the Fitzgerald Colony in
1895, coming here with his wife, his
son J, G. and wife and baby Don
They started the Leader at that time
and 1t with Its contemporary the Fitz-
gera d Enterprise did much to boost
and advertise the colony, both papers
getting out a large issue weekly for
distribution to northern friends and
colony prospects.
The knapps were good editors and
put out splendid paper in those days
and were identical at that time with
all the leading interests of the town,
Mr.. J. G. Knapp having served as
Mayor at one time. After some years,
when Mr.. p. H. Fitzgerald, the found
or OF this colony began a similar work
at Geraldine, Texas, the elder Knapps
severed their connection here and de-
cided to cast their lot as pioneers ag-
ain with the new settlement. The ul-
innate failure of that colony was due
to lack OF water which had to be haul
ed in barrels and wagons from dis
tant wells, and when it ceased 20 func-
tron any more, the knapps lived tor
a time IN Wichita, Kansas and later
returned to Fitzgerald.
At other times they lived in St.
Cloud, Fla, another colony of limited
success and also in California where
their son J. G. was living and still re-
sides But Fitzgerald Ike a magnet
drew them back the third time Mrs.
Knapp, woman OF splendid ability
and always a leader in the different
circles she worked in, was greatly
mourned when her death occurred in
the fall of 1917. Until that time, the
outstanding traits OF Mr. Knapp's life
were his devotion to his wife and his
great industry, rarely missing a day
as printer in one or other Of the
printing establishments of the city.
After this loss, Mr.. Knapp became
very much unsettled and incapable and
especially restless away from Fitzger-
aid, though he tried to make his home
with his sen in California. at intervals
Since his last return to Fitzgerald he
would haze been unable to travel
again and las remained in the home OF
MIR. andi Mrs.. J. NJ Williams, rcceIv-
ing thei~ Kind care and that OF a
nurse as his condition grew more
helpless.
Mr.. Knapp was 70 years of age hay
ing been one Of the youngest, if not
the youngest Union Veteran register
ed in the colony. He was not a mem
Der of the &. A, r. Post here although
coming with the old sold ers to the
co ony and keeping in close touch with
their interests.
The remains will be kept at the
Litilefield Undertaking Parlor unit
next Tuesday afternoon when Mr.. J.
G. Knapp is expected to arrive from
his home in San Bernardino, Cal. The
hour of the services is set for $50 p.
M. at the home of Mrs. J. NJ. Williams.
other arrangements pending the direc-
ton OF Mr.. J. G. Knapp.
The survivors of his immediate fam
lily are his only son. J. G. Knapp and
wife and their son Donald and daugh-
tiers Kathleen and Mary The death
of a married daughter, but childtess
had preceded that of Mrs. Knapp by
several Years The latter is Inferred by
her parents at Des Moines, Iowa.