Knox, Floyd 1890-1939

KNOX, EDGAR

Posted By: Janet Schuldt, Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/8/2012 at 13:05:17

Cherokee Daily Times, Cherokee, Cherokee, Iowa, USA Monday, November 13, 1939

SUICIDE VERDICT RETURNED IN DEATH OF FLOYD KNOX

Inquest Hail Saturday to Determine Cause of Treasurer's Death

Cherokee County News

Action on the appointment of a successor for Treasurer Floyd Knox was expected to be taken sometime Monday at meeting, of the county board of supervisors, County Auditor, H. M. Montgomery said.

The auditor said his office will be in charge of the treasurer's department until a duly qualified official is named and takes over.

Commenting upon the efficiency with which the former treasurer conducted the office prior to his suicide death, Saturday morning, Auditor Montgomery declared that the records of the office were in excellent shape, he said that reports from the office were always submitted promptly and that records were very accurately kept. He also raised, the work of Knox's assistants, Deputy Zembsch, Auto License Clerk Edna Mahaney, and assistant, Miss Pauline Kress.

Verdict of suicide was returned by a coroners jury of. three men early Saturday afternoon after an inquest in Appleyard & Boothby Funeral home into the death of Floyd Knox, 48, Cherokee county treasurer, who was found dead in his room at Hotel Lewis a few hours earlier with his throat slashed by a razor.

The jury was composed by Charles Graves, Bard F. Parker and Leo Dunn.

Witnesses at the inquest were E. P..Burke; manager of the hotel; Ronald Ehrich; hotel employee, and John Zembsch, deputy county treasurer.

Conducting the inquest in the absence of County Attorney, Archie R. Nelson, who was out of town, was Joe G. Nelson, local attorney. The death was investigated by Dr. J. E. Bunker,Cherokee county coroner, and Sheriff A. N. Tilton.

Funeral services were held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon in the residence at Marcus.

The Rev. George Osborne, pastor of the Marcus Methodist church, officiated at the rites and burial was in Marcus and Amherst cemetery.

Pall bearers were five, brothers and a nephew—W. H. Knox, Houston, Tex.;. Dr. T. C. Knox, Merrill, la.; J.H. Knox, Maryville, Mo.; R. R. Knox, Estherville; F. F. Knox, Marcus, and John Knox, the nephew, Sioux City.

The body was taken to Brink Funeral home from Appleyard & Boothby's funeral home here, and at 12:30 o'clock Monday afternoon it was taken to the family home.

Knox was born December 31, 1890, a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Knox of Marcus. He attended Marcus schools, graduating in the class of 1908 from the high school. Afterwards he attended a business college in Omaha, Neb., for two year's. For a short time he engaged in the service of the public and later was employed as clerk in the Illinois Central railroad station for at Marcus, a position he held for 11 years. Then he became, assistant postmaster at the Marcus post office, holding that position for six years.

In the November 1938 general election he was elected, Cherokee county treasurer, assuming the,office January 2, 1938. He succeeded Frank Tyner, of. Cherokee.

Knox was married 24 years ago to the former, Miss Dess Edgar of Marcus. The couple had two sons, James, now a clerk at Swanson's grocery in Cherokee, and Jack, a senior at Marcus High school.

Coroner Bunker said Know left no note or other indication of what motivated him to take his life.

Close associates, however, agreed that the strain of the office work must have been responsible.

They said that only shortly after he assumed office last January, he expressed a desire to resign, feeling the job was too much for him, but friends urged him not to give up, pointing out he was doing a good job, and prevailing upon him to stay.

At one time he had papers drawn up to submit to the board of supervisors asking them to release him, but again he was urged to forget about resigning and keep on with the position.

Only last Monday, Deputy John Zembsch recalled, Knox, had declared he was going to quit and had been asked once again to remain. A hard-working, conscientious and efficient official, Knox and his assistants worked long hours in the office and it was known among courthouse workers that the books, had to be correct before the office would close for the day.

Knox had worked until 10:30 o'clock. Friday night. About 11:30. o’clock, Zembsch, who occupies a room adjacent to that of Knox on the top floor of the hotel, passed by the treasurer's room and saw him sitting in a chair reading a newspaper. The door was slightly ajar and Zembsch stopped to say good night, and tell Knox he had better get to bed because he had been working hard and both planned to work again Armistice morning, although the rest of the county offices were to be closed. That was the last time Knox was seen alive.

The following morning Mrs.Knox came over from their home at Marcus to meet him and drive back to Marcus for the day.

At the hotel desk she waited while Ronald Ehrich, who was on duty, tried to telephone the room. Receiving no answer after several rings, he and Mrs. Knox went upstairs. Erich opened the door and saw Knox lying on the bed, his head on his arm, face downward. He shut the door quickly and summoned Manager Burke. Burke called the coroner and the funeral home.

When the officials arrived, they found two deep gashes in the side of the treasurer's neck. Indications were that during the early morning he had arisen, gone to a lavatory on one side of the room, slashed his throat, cutting the jugular vein, and returned to the bed. Then, according to indications, he had got up again, made another cut, and returned to the bed, assuming the position in which he was found. He was attired in night clothes. The door was locked from the inside. Following the inquest, the body was taken from Cherokee to Marcus where services were planned.