THE KNIGHT IMPOSTURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15252, 15 March 1913, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE KNIGHT IMPOSTURE.

PREPARING THE ELOPEMENT. THE WOMAN IN THE CASE. Thk story of the disappearance of the ' Rev. Albert Knight, vicar of Christ , Church, Hunslet, Leeds, reported by bis wife to have fallen over the cliff at Flamborough Head, but afterwards declared by the chief constable of Leeds to be on his way abroad under an assumed name, becomes more sensational day by day, writes our London correspondent. When doubt was first expressed as to her husband's death, Mrs. Knight adhered emphatically to her original statement. "I have neither anything to add nor to retract, " she said, " I acutally saw my husband go over the cliff. It is absolutely impossible that I could have been mistaken.'' For a fortnight a search was made for the body of the missing man, but without avail, and finally the chief constable of Leeds exploded the story of an accidental death. He did this mainly in the interest of the searchers who were at work in all weathers along a notoriously rocky and dangerous part of the Yorkshire coast. It was quickly ascertained that Mr. Knight left Tilbury on the liner Port Lincoln, on January 23, accompanied by Miss Grimes, a young lady parishioner,*2s years of age. who is described as being exceedingly handsome. The Memorial Service. Meanwhile, Christ Church, Unslet, was crowded one evening when the Bishop of Richmond (Dr. Pulleine) conducted , a memorial service for the missing vicar. A large percentage of the congregation were women, many of whom wore mourning. At the close of the service, which lasted nearly an hour, during the playing of Chopin's " March© Funebre" there was much audible sobbing. Nine clergymen assisted the Bishop and the vicar of Leeds (Dr. Bickersteth) in conducting the service, and a number of other clergy had seats in the church. The bands of office, carried by the churchwardens when the choir and clergy entered and left the church, were draped in black. After the singing of the opening hymn the vicar of Leeds said: " I desire to state that it was decided to hold this service in Christ Church as soon as ever it was settled that if the body of Albert Knight in God's providence is recovered the actual funeral shall take place in his old home at Bolton, so that he may lie among his own people. " The Bishop asked for the silent prayers of the congregation on behalf of Mrs. Knight. There had also been rumours in the town, and the curate, the Rev. J. Cobbett, preaching at the memorial service in Mr. Knight's church on January 26, said : "I cannot here ~ answer the diabolical rumours which have been afloat. I have been wondering whether it would be worth while to do so or to treat them with the ' contempt they deserve. Taking all things into consideration I will merely say, ' You, don't doubt his life, you know that so well that I am sure you will treat these diabolical rumours as they deserve to be treated. '" - A Poultry Parmer. ,It how appears that Mr. Knight contemplated his journey to Australia as far back as last October. In that month, under the name of Herbert King, he wrote to Mr. ; H. S. Hodges, of the Knawle Poultry Farm, Heathfield, Sussex, in reply to an advertisement for pupils to under* take a course of instruction in poultry farming. The letter contained the phrase, "Please don't. reply to this as I shall be leaving for London shortly," and intimated that he desired to become a pupil on the terms, stated by Mr. Hodges. On October ■ 28 ."Herbert Ring " arrived at the farm. Later he was joined by a young woman, who remained at the farm until January 20, "King" also stopping at the farm for the whole of that period, with the exception of a number of week-ends and a long, interval about Christmas time. Life at the Farm. Mr. Hodges says that on November 1 "King" borrowed a bicycle and rode over to Ashford, taying that he was going to see his fiancee. He had previously written to ;■'■> her as "Miss Catherine someone"—l believe the name was "Grimes"—addressing her at the Post Office, Ashford, Kent. "As he was leaving he said that he was bringing his wife back with him. "A curious thing about the stay of the couple was■ the fact that 'King* found it necessary to be away for a number of " week-ends. He would leave on the Friday and return late on the Monday, and sometimes would be away even longer. While he was away' 'Mrs. King wrote daily to her husband, enclosing the letters in a covering envelope addressed to a Miss Suffield; care of the Post Office, Leeds. We were at times suspicious about the marriage. A week or so before Christmas 'King* told us that he would be away for a long time, as Christmas was the busiest time in his working year. He went away just before Christmas, and during the whole of his absence, which extended over three weeks, 'Mrs. King' wrote to him daily, enclosing, jas before, her letters in an envelope addressed to Miss" Suffield, care of the Leeds Post Office. All the letters she r received from hint she, burnt. At times she seemed very lonely, and cried a good deal. ' Mr. King' did not return until January 19, the day after the Rev. Albert Knight was reported to have fallen over the cliff at Flamborough Head. The Lady in the Case. Miss Grimes is a tall young lady, and attractive in appearance. She was brought, much into contact with the rev. gentleman in connection with his crusade against the White Slave Traffic, and Mr. Knight often visited the house of her mother, who was an invalid. The young lady had often expressed a desire to go away, and had a decided leaning towards Canada, It has transpired that Mr. Knight had in the parish vestry been asked about the rumours as to his friendship with Miss Grimes. He laughed, and said , the stories were • baseless. It was stated that the: vicar was in the habit of meeting, the girl and escorting her home. For the past eighteen months Mrs. Knight has not attended the services at tho church. The attentions which Mr. Knight paid Miss Grimes were particularly marked on the occasion of a mothers' meeting excursion to Scarborough. It is now alleged that Mrs. Knight was the victim,of violence and ill-usage on the part of her husband. He terrorised her to such* an extent that he compelled her to accompany him to Flamborough and afterwards to tell the story of his fall over the cliff. All this time she was unaware of his associations with Miss Grimes, and it was only during the last few days that she learned the true reason for wishing his parishioners to think him dead. ' Knight landed in Melbourne during the week and when spoken to by an interviewer threatened to give the individual in charge if he persisted in his intentions of speaking to him.