New Britain herald., 1928-10-31
DOUBT STORY 1dLD ]. | BY BURNED WOMAN
Doctors BdisVs H9 Caiss to
 h Impossible

Lake BlufI. Ill.,. Oct S1 UG8elf- torture by are to prove her faith in g spirit love" was advanced today to explain the strange cass of Min Elfrieda Knaak. 30-year-old Sunday school teacher and book agent.
 It was . weird uncanny explana- ton, full of holes and wide open to practical.minded police skepticism: but 1t came from the lips of Mia Knaak herself. lying near death from burns mysteriousIy inflicted In the basement of the Lake BluR police station sometime Monday night.
 Doctors UncOuvincod
 Physicians were unconvinced.
 TO believe her story" said Dr. 4. J.. Risinger, attending her. you would have to believe these facts:
 That she Arst placed ono foot, then the other. in the furnace and kept them there for soIne time; that she thrust head and arms and held them there under what certainly must have been terrific pain. The fire box is only 1ex by sx inches,
 Tt does not seem possible that person. even in trance. could do that. Muscular reaction alone would cause her to jump back from the dames." { .. Policeman Named
 The name of Charles W. Hitch- cock, <5 years old. married and tho father of four children. was brought into the case by Miss Knaak who during the night frequently cried out: Hitch! Oh, Hitch! Why don't you come to me?'
 "Who did this?" said the states attorney. bending over the girls cot.
 T did it myself, for faith. for purity" was the response. At in- tervals. the officers obtained her story. she had known Hitchcock four years. she said, having studied elocution and salesmanship in classes he conducts here.
 "A few months ago got to know him spiritually" she was quoted as saying. This was no material love affair. Advanced psychology made me understand him. For weeks have been hearing his voice saying. Have faith! Have faith.'
 Has Broken LIog
 ''l had an appointment with him Monday night. He did not keep 1t. Hitchcock. who besides being . teacher Is night policeman of Lake Bluff. has been confined to his home with broken leg for . week.) When he did not appear. I again heard hia voice. urging me to have faith.
 ''To prove my faith. I thought Of the fire. removed my clothes and burned them. I burned myself.
 ''1 survived. proved my faith. and I'll live. Be sure Of this: ! knew would survive"
 Hitchcock, his leg in | cast; was unable to clear up the girls story.
 Poor Kirl. if she had a crush on me. I certainly didn't know it," he said. . s.5ft la e..
 Hitchcock said Miss Knaak came to him four years ago to study salesmanship and elocutior. Since fnishipg the course she has nc- casionally communicated with him, Hitchcock said. seekinE his advice on problems confronting her. Has Glasses
 Hitchcock conducts his clesses tn the morning hours. working aa night roliceman from ?. m. to i a. m One theory under investiRation wal that Miss Knaak not knowing Of hi injury. hrd gone 10 the police sta ton Monday evening to await hi arrival after his official rounds. Th' statio, is closed at r'Kht. but Mis- Knrak was presumed to have had { key. as did many other persons.
 It is no.r'hle. no,'re said. that sh' may have gone to the furnace roor for warmth. ari that she may hav' been attnck"d hv some warrant wh' himself had gotten into tho hasr