Widow and Children of Frank Knight to Get $1,500, Sept. 10, 1922

Government to Provide Assistance for Family of Murdered Revenuer. . . Senate Passes Bill Carrying $1,500 for Widow and Children of Frank Knight

By H.E.C. Bryant

Washington, Sept. 9—A bill for “relief of the estate of Frank W. Knight,” was passed by the senate today and will now go to the President for his signature.

There is an interesting story behind this action of the senate. Knight, who lived with his family at Cary, Wake county, was one of the possemen who went out with revenue officers to take Ed Harmon, a notorious blockader, in 1916. He was shot down and seriously wounded by Haron, who stood his ground, while two of his associates fled. Later Knight died in Rex hospital at Raleigh, and his family is go get $1,500.

In reporting the bill to the senate, Senator Capper said, “Knight was killed while in the discharge of his duties as posseman under the collector of internal revenue for the eastern district of North Carolina. Accompanied by three other deputy collectors he was directed to proceed to a point one-half mile from Kennebec to make a raid on an illicit distillery, supposed to be operated by Harmon and others. The men surrounded the still when Harmon and two others were operating it. Harmon stood his ground, firing upon Knight and breaking his thigh and wounding him in the arm in two places. Knight died from a blood cloth caused by the wounds.

“All reports are in agreement that Knight was a fine man. Faithful to his duty, and that he performed a great service to his government. He lost his life in the discharge of duty. He left a wife and two or three small children, but no money or property. His wife, having been a trained nurse, was able to provide for her family. As there is no dispute as to faith in the case, or the merit of the service rendered by the deceased, your committee recommends that the bill pass.”

Harmon was shot, captured, tried, convicted and sent to the penitentiary.

In recommending the passage of the bill, Former Collector Bailey, under whom Knight was serving, said: “Harmon had openly boasted that no man could take him alive. He went armed with rifle and pistol, slept in a different place every night, was a general terror to a large scope of the country, and was understood to be the backer of several large distilleries. He was so shrewd and wary that he was known as the “wild turkey.”

From the front page of The Wilmington Morning Star, Sunday, Sept. 10, 1922