William Knopka Arrested
Illion Citizen, February 23, 1900
William Knopka was arrested Thursday by an officer from Bainbridge, N.Y. [Chenango Co.], upon a warrant charging him with being the putative father of a child, Mary Hastings of Bainbridge being the complainant. Knopka was taken before Police justice Gray and released upon his giving $1,000 bail to appear before the magistrate at Bainbridge. Knopka whose home is in this village {Herkimer, NY], was engaged on a piece of contract work at Bainbridge with Contractor Ray Lewis during the early part of the summer of 1899. The complainant is the 19 year old daughter of Patrick Hastings of Bainbridge. Knopka claims that he is innocent and upon trial will be able to establish that fact.
William Knopka, Jail Prisoner Shows Signs of Insanity
Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, August 25, 1900
William Knopka of Herkimer county [NY], who was employed at Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] during the establishment of the new system of waterworks by that village two years or so ago, has been a prisoner in the county jail here since the latter part of last June. He has been a good prisoner, and has every appearance of having been a pretty decent sort of a fellow previous to his present difficulty.
While employed at Bainbridge, Knopka was introduced by a friend and afterwards gave considerable attention to a young lady name Hastings. He was arrested at his home in Herkimer county last winter, charged with being the cause of the girl's troubles, and brought to Bainbridge for trial.
After several adjournments, he refusing to settle the affair by marrying the complainant, and pleading not guilty to the charge, the matter was tried and Knopka was found guilty and ordered to pay the complainant the sum of $1.50 a week as long as the child was a town charge, and also to pay the costs of the action. In default of his being able to furnish bonds that he would comply with the finding of the court, he was brought to jail in June last on a body execution, to remain until such time as the court should order his discharge, or he should gain his liberty by some other lawful means.
As stated above, he has been a quiet and well behaved prisoner. He has brooded a great deal over his troubles, which he asserts were heaped upon him through trickery and to shield the one who should have borne the responsibility of the crime.
Last Saturday night Knopka began to show signs of insanity, and he was immediately placed under the care of a physician. He is suspicious of everyone, except one of his fellow prisoners, and refuses to take his medicine or food until the above friend has first tested it believing that attempts are being made to poison him. Knopka's brother from Herkimer, accompanied by a friend, visited him Tuesday night and Wednesday, and an effort is being made to secure the unfortunate young man's release, believing that an opportunity to go home and the full realization that he is free, could soon restore him to health. Failing in that, a commission will doubtless be appointed to examine into his mental condition, and he will be committed to a hospital for treatment.
Utica Herald-Dispatch, August 24, 1900
Word was received here a few days ago stating that Dick [sic] Knopka of this village [Herkimer, NY] had become insane. For some time past Mr. Knopka has been confined in the Chenango county jail charged with a crime which his many friends in this village believe him to be innocent of. Tuesday his brother Charles Knopka, and Casper Hailer of this village went to Norwich to investigate the matter and they found Mr. Knopka in a very nervous state of mind and suffering from several delusions, although he was perfectly rational on most subjects. He recognized both his brother and Mr. Hailer, and they say that there is no doubt that "Dick" has brooked over his troubles until his mind is temporarily unbalanced. They interested an attorney in the matter and it is expected that the sick man will be transferred to the Binghamton Hospital this week, where he will receive the best medical care. While in Norwich, Mr. Hailer was told by the sheriff of Chenango county that he believed Mr. Knopka was innocent of the crime charged against him and that it looked very much like a put up job.
Death Notice
Illion Citizen, June 10, 1904
A telegram Saturday announced the death in Tuscon, Arizona of William Knopka. He left Herkimer in April hoping to improve his health in Arizona, but he steadily failed and his death came as announced. He is survived by his father, Charles Knopka, three brothers and one sister, all of Herkimer.
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