Las Vegas Age, December 18, 2003, Clark County, Nevada Copyright © 2003 Gerry Perry This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ************************************************************************ LAS VEGAS AGE 10/10/1914 FRED KNECHT MEETS DEATH KNOCKED FROM FREIGHT CAR SUNDAY NIGHT--BODY CUT TO PIECES Fred KNECHT met death suddenly last Sunday night while engaged in the performance of his duties as seal clerk in the yard of the Salt Lake road. Just how the accident occurred is not known, as there were no witnesses. The first information that there was anything wrong came with the finding of the body lying between the rails after the south bound freight train, which was being made up, had pulled out. The head, left arm and left foot had been severed and were found some distance away. Help was obtained at once and the mangled remains cared for as well as possible. It is probably that KNECHT had been standing on the buffers between the cars when a sudden shock in starting the train or in putting on another car threw him to the rails to be caught and cut to pieces by the wheels. Fred KNECHT was a pleasant, kindly young man, of excellent habits, who was ever faithful to his duties. He was a member of Las Vegas Aerie 1213, F.O.E. and an Elk. He has been in the plumbing business for a year or two, but owing to the dullness, was filling this position with the railroad company temporarily. He was also employed as caretaker by the Majestic theater. The funeral services were held Wednesday from the J. D. SMITH undertaking house, under the auspices of the Eagles. Headed by the band, of which the deceased had long been an active and faithful member, the entire membership of the lodge marched to the chapel to the mournful music of the dirge and the beat of the muffled drum. After the beautiful service of the order was read, interspersed with sacred music by the choir, the procession again formed and, headed by the band, escorted the mortal remains of the young man to their last resting place in the Las Vegas cemetery. The surviving relatives are his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Henry KNECHT, and a brother, Henry KNECHT, St. Peter, Illinois, and a sister Louise and brother J. KNECHT at Springfield, Illinois. He carried a policy in the Pacific Mutual Casualty Company.