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The Nebraska State Journal (Lincoln, Nebraska)
Tuesday Morning, January 28, 1902
Death of "Bob Kneebs"
Noted Horseman Died Last Week at Sioux City.
Had a Remarkable Career
Name was Hall but was known as Kneebs – His exciting career as successful race driver
Robert Thomas Hall, who for over a quarter of century has been known on the turf as "Bob Kneebs," the daring and cunning driver, died at 10 a.m. Tuesday, at his cottage at Woodland park, Riverside, Sioux City, of bladder trouble, aged sixty-two years.
Although his friends and the public generally...
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The Nebraska State Journal (Lincoln, Nebraska)
Tuesday Morning, January 28, 1902
Death of "Bob Kneebs"
Noted Horseman Died Last Week at Sioux City.
Had a Remarkable Career
Name was Hall but was known as Kneebs – His exciting career as successful race driver
Robert Thomas Hall, who for over a quarter of century has been known on the turf as "Bob Kneebs," the daring and cunning driver, died at 10 a.m. Tuesday, at his cottage at Woodland park, Riverside, Sioux City, of bladder trouble, aged sixty-two years.
Although his friends and the public generally knew him by the name of Kneebs, says the Sioux City Journal, his right name was Hall, and his father, Alfred Hall, lives in the rear of the 210 Sioux street, eighty-six years of age, and in poor health. He has not learned of the death of his son when a reporter for the Journal called at his home yesterday afternoon, and the news grieved him much. In answer to a request for something in regard to "Kneebs'" early life, "Father" Hall, as he is known, took from a shelf the cover of a worn-out family record, the rest of which was missing. On the inside of the cover, in ink which time has almost effaced, was this entry: "Robert Thomas Hall, born in Hanwell, Berkshire, England, February 21, 1840."
"I should like to learn something of Kneebs," requested the reporter.
Mr. Hall looked thoughtful for a moment and then said: "Bob's name was not Kneebs, as you suppose. His right name is Hall. I'm his father and brought him to this country when he was a child, and you should know." He then unfolded a family romance full of interest.
Mr. Hall left England over forty years ago with his children, Fred Hall, now a blacksmith of this city, who also goes by the name of Kneebs; Albert Hall, now of Denver; William Henry Hall, better know as Harry Hall, and Robert Thomas Hall, the dead horseman, Ellen Hall, a daughter, remained in England, and is still in that country.
The family settled on a farm in Will County, Ill. Robert and Fred Hall left home and went to Wisconsin. It was in the Badger state that they assumed the name of Kneebs, which has since stuck to them.
Removed to Sioux City
Mr. Hall, the father, married his second wife thirty-three years ago in Illinois, and she still is living at their home in Sioux street. With his second wife and the children who remained at home, Mr. Hall came to Sioux City thirty odd years ago and went to live on a farm in Union county, South Dakota, just across the Sioux river from Riverside Park. The two boys who had remained in Wisconsin followed and settled near Sioux point, and were known as Bob and Fred Kneebs. All these years they have been known under this assumed name. Nearly all their acquaintances thought that "Father" Hall was their step-father, and that Mrs. Hall was their own mother, married a second time. The facts are just the opposite. Mr. Hall is their father, and Mrs. Hall their stepmother.
"Why did the boys choose to take the name of Kneebs, and where did they procure the name?" was asked. "I cannot answer this," said Mr. Hall. "I suppose it was just a boyish trick, I never before understood that people did not know I was their father."
"Bob Kneebs," as it is best to call him, has been sick for several months with a stricture at the neck of the bladder, which caused inflammation. He got nearly well once, and was around town for a few weeks, but had to go back to bed. Since then he had gradually been battling for life. Last week an operation was performed, but it resulted in little good. The old driver ten days ago have up hope of winning, and patiently had been waiting for the summons. Yesterday morning he was conscious, and talked with his family and friends who were at his bedside. He knew he did not have long to live, but was cheerful. At a few minutes to 10 the end came. Besides his wife, his daughter, who is Mrs. David Jekyll, her husband, and his own brother, Harry Hall, were at his bedside. Frank Hagan and other old friends left a short time before the end.
Career as a Horseman.
Robert T. Kneebs, as he was know for so many years, was a horseman and driver of international reputation and his experiences and exploits on the American and European turfs would fill a volume of interesting stories. In the United States his fearless driving placed him in the foremost ranks among drivers of pacers and trotters, and after five months of unequaled success in Europe he was arrested in Berlin, charged with "ringing" Bethel, 2:12 3-4, a mare he raised in this country. He was thrown into jail. His trial and subsequent liberation attracted the attention of horsemen all over the world. This exploit cost Kneebs his fortune.
Kneebs came to Sioux City about thirty-five years ago from Wisconsin, and settled on a small farm near Sioux point. He was poor, but had in his veins the love for excitement which he found in the driving of fast horsed. He bought with him from the Badger state a gray mare he called Nellie Norris. One winter day while talking to Theophile Bruguier, one of the earliest pioneers of this section of the country, who is now dead, the two made a match race. This was the first race Kneebs ever drove in the state of Iowa. It was difficult to find a course on the rough roads, and it was agreed to have the contest on the ice on the Sioux river opposite where Riverside Park is now situated. The pioneers and woodchoppers for miles around journeyed to the river to see the race. Bruguier drove a big bay trotter, and many of his French Canadian friends backed this horse liberally. The contest was best two heats in three to crude sleds. Nellie Norris won both heats amid much excitement.
The next horse which Kneebs brought into prominence among the early settlers was Black Ranger, a beautiful animal whom some of the older residents can well remember. With this noble trotter, whose blood trickled in some of the best racers of the present time. Kneebs won many races, and became well known in the northwest as a clever driver. Black Ranger was at one time owned by Judge Henry Ford, and it is said that in a race Kneebs once fell from the sulky and Ranger trotted out the heat, but being minus a driver could not be declared the winner.
A great mare that Kneebs owned in the pioneer times was Dakota Maid, and he purchased her with the money secured in an exciting way. Frank Wilson was running a saloon and gambling house at Second and Douglas streets. The place was frequented by all kinds of men who dealt the "sure thing." Kneebs and some of his associated knew this. A man known as Three Fingered Jack was fleecing people by way of the three-card monte man. He had a partner with who he had quarreled, and this partner swore vengeance. He told Kneebs and his brother, George Hall, the monte man's way of dealing, and how they could beat him. A "phony" roll was fixed up and George Hall was chosen to buck the game. The monte man dealt for the bogus roll, and Hall picked up the right card, at the same time snatching the money, which amounted to nearly $2,000, and holding a gun under the dealer's nose. They got away with the roll, and Kneebs with his share bought Dakota Maid, who won for him much money.
Kneebs vs. Fisher.
Along in the late 70s and early 80s Johnny Fisher, now dead, and Kneebs were great rivals on the little old half mile track long ago forsaken for residences in Crescent Park addition. Fisher owned pretty little Hampton Girl, a dainty piece of horseflesh on which he pinned much money and had many followers. Kneebs had trusty old Elmwood Chief, one of the grandest and fastest trotters of his day in the northwest. When the two horses were matched for the contest the whole town turned out for they were sure to see a race fro blood. Both horsed had admirers, and the contests were bitterly fought, but Kneebs, cool, nervy and daring, always proved too much for Fisher with Hampton Girl. The races between the two brought on bitter enmity, and for several years neither spoke to the other. The story of their reconciliation was pathetic.
In July, 1888, Johnny Fisher has a trotter known as Matt Fisher in the 2:30 class trot at a race meeting at Evans park track. Sioux City horsemen liberally placed their money on Mati Fisher, as he appeared fit and fine and showed some clever workouts. In the first heat, which was won by Edwin B, Matt Fisher came near being distanced, and the Sioux City boys dumped a pile of rocks into the bookmaker's box. But they played him for the next heat. It was a repetition, only Atlas was the winner. The third heat also was taken by Atlas, with poor Matt Fisher and his excited driver hurrying to get inside of the distance flag.
When the fourth heat was called some of the boys who were heavy losers went to Johnny Fisher and asked him if he wouldn't let Bob Kneebs drive. He refused pointblank, but after much persuasion agreed. Kneebs was then asked to officiate, but would not unless John Fisher personally asked him. This Fisher objected to, but after some consideration he went to Kneebs with tears in his eyes and made the request.
Kneebs was in the sulky for the fourth heat, and big odds were prevailing against his charge. The boys made big wagers in the books and scared the bookie down to even money. Matt Fisher, under the keen, shrewd work of Kneebs, won the heat amid the intense excitement. When he dismounted he was swarmed about like a jockey after the suburban. Matt Fisher also won the next two heats and the race.
The men who Kneebs, by his superb driving, had pulled out of the hole, many of whom are now prominent citizens of Sioux City, presented him with a magnificent gold watch and chain, which he always wore and cherished highly.
Little Wonder vs. Dahlberg
Another great race which Kneebs drove in this city is well remembered for its attending excitement. Fulton Peavey matched his horse, Little Wonder, against Thalberg, one of the steadiest and most trusty campaigners of these days. Kneebs was behind Wonder. He lost the first heat by a small margin in a terrific drive. In the second heat the two horses were coming down the stretch lapped together. Wonder's breath was fanning Thalberg's flank and Kneebs was laying on the whip and urging his horse with his voice. Forty feet from the wire it was anybody's race. Suddenly Wonder caught his hind hoof in his quarter boot and turned a complete somersault. The sulky went high in the air and Kneebs was thrown, sliding under the sire on his stomach alongside of the winning horse. Little Wonder was not hurt by the fall, but Kneebs had both wrists sprained. However, his nerve was with him. For the last heat he appeared in his sulky with the reins tied around his wrist. Little Wonder could not win, and Thalberg won the heat and race.
These are only a few of Kneeb's exploits on the race course. He drove in every state in the union. When in a tight pinch he has been known to drive with one hand and in the other carry a revolver with which he threatened to shoot the driver who dared to pass him. At Fort Dodge in an early day he used his whip as a weapon. A driver started to pass him in the back stretch and he hit him across the face, cutting out one of his eyes. For this gross assault he came very near being lynched.
The greatest horse Kneebs ever owned, possibly excepting Elmwood Chief, was Jessie Gaines, and she still lives a contented old matron at the Woodlawn park track. This mare took a record of 2:15 3-4 at Des Moines. At the time it was the world's record over a half mile track. However, Jessie Gaines did not hold it long.
After his long career on the American turf, when he gained the reputation as one of the greatest drivers in the United States, Kneebs conceived the idea of taking a car load of horses to Europe, where the sport was in its infant state. In this enterprise Orlando Hefner, of Chicago, went into partnership with Kneebs. On December 29, 1894, the horses were loaded in this city. As much as it has been disputed, the famous Bethel, 2:15 3-4, was in the car, with her half sister, Nellie Kneebs, Underwood and four green horsed. The car was in charge of David Jekyll, a son-in-law of Mr. Kneebs. The shipment went to England, where several races were won, and then a tour of Scotland was made with success. From Scotland the American stable was shipped to Berlin, and here is where the trouble arose.
On the race track at Berlin, Bethel under an assumed name, won several races, as did Nellie Kneebs. Prince Schmidt was manager of the track, and he and Hefner were supposed to be in the game. Hefner, however had not contributed his part toward the expenses, and Kneebs did not feel that he should share equally in the winnings. They quarreled, and Schmidt and Hefner sided together. Schmidt in a Berlin beer hall, told Kneebs about the "ringing" and said he had better cut up or he would be betrayed. The answer to this was a cut across the face with a whop. Hefner and Schmidt told the authorities about the job Kneebs was working on the public and he was arrested, charged with fraud. Hefner, after testifying against him, left the country. Kneebs was in jail nine months before he was tried. His American friends stood by him, and James Madson, George Hammar and others went over to help him out. Money was subscribed, and Kneebs stood pat that Bethel was in this country. The government appointed a veterinary surgeon who with two witnesses came to the United States to look at a mare which Kneebs had on his Wakefield stock farm, and which he claimed was Bethel. The mare was brought to Sioux City for inspection. The veterinarian upon his return made an unfavorable report, and Kneebs was found guilty and sentenced to on year. The court, however, allowed for the nine months he already had been imprisoned, and at the expiration of three months he was liberated. The court sold all his horses to defray expenses, and Kneebs, besides his small fortune, lost his diamonds and farm. He came back to America flat broke in money, but not in spirits, and at the Woodland track he has been breeding trotting stock. In his stables are some very promising colts, and he had hoped to live to develop a record-breaker. |
