Verna Fay Leadbetter ^272,883

   Cause of her death was probably suicide with revolver.

Lewiston Evening Journal
Lewiston, Maine
September 10, 1908
p. 9

A Bullet Wound In Head -- Suicide of Prominent Phillips Woman

PHILLIPS, Me. Sept. 10 (Special) -- Mrs. Carroll Knapp, wife of a prominent Phillips young man, was found dying on the floor of the dining room at her home this morning. There was a bullet hole in her forehead. A pistol was lying beside her, near where her daughter was playing. A few minutes before, Mrs. Knapp had chatted pleasantly with callers. Dr. Currier called, said she had been suffering from extreme nervousness for some time. Her husband had left her in a cheerful mood shortly before she committed the act. She cannot live. Mrs. Knapp before her marriage was Verna Leadbetter of Monmouth. She taught school in Madrid, where she was married about two years ago. She is about 25 years of age.

*****

Lewiston Evening Journal
Lewiston, Maine
September 12, 1908
p. 12

FUNERAL OF MRS. KNAPP

Held At Congregational Church At Monmouth Saturday Morning

MONMOUTH, Me. Sept. 12 (Special) -- The remains of Mrs. Carroll Knapp of Phillips were brought here for burial yesterday afternoon and taken to the home of her aunt, Mrs. Rose Gott. Prayers were said at the house this morning, after which services were held in the Congregational Church, Rev. J.E. Woodman officiating. Music was furnished by those of whom Mrs. Knapp had frequently sung in the church. The flowers were especially beautiful. Burial is at Wayne village.

Among the relatives at the funeral were her only husband, her only sisters, Mrs. Ronald McIlroy, her brother, Shirley Leadbetter, her father, Charles Leadbetter and Mrs. Leadbetter, Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Gott, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Cochrane, Miss Maria Cochrane, Miss Winnifred Gott and Miss Lorena Cochrane. Intimate friends from North Leeds and Waterville and members from her class at high school were among those at the funeral.

Before her marriage, Mrs. Knapp was Verna Leadbetter. She was one of the most lovable girls who ever lived in this town. Until her marriage two years ago, her home had been with her aunt, Mrs. Rose Gott in Monmouth. She was actively interested in the work of the Congregational church. Her death under such distressing circumstances came as a terrible shock to her friends here.

*****
Lewiston Evening Journal
Lewiston, Maine
September 22, 1908
p. 8

MRS. KNAPP'S FATHER
Makes A Statement - Family Do
Not Believe She Committed Suicide


MONMOUTH, Me., Sept. 13 (Special) - C.K. Leadbetter, father of Mrs. Carroll Knapp, whose death from shooting, ocurred last week, has given out the following statement:

"At the time my daughter, the late Mrs. Knapp of Phillips, of the 10th inst., was found alone in her home, shot through the back part of her head from the left side, I was not able to make an investigation, not having yet recovered from a protracted and somewhat serious illness.

"Suffice it to say, I was surprised that those who were called to consider the matter and to care for the remains should have hastily decided it a case of suicide, with no evidence other than the presence of a revolver.

"I would say at the time her mother died she was less than five years of age; that from then until about her 13th year she was my special charge and almost constant companion. From this time until as a teacher, she became acquainted and married Mr. Knapp, she had a home with her mother's sister, Mrs. Gott of Monmouth, with whom I had arranged her board and schooling.

"As a father, we feel that we know her characteristics and proclivities in a way that warrants our feeling that under no circumstances would she have committed suicide.

"Circumstances forbid my giving long drawn-out reasons for doubting the suicide theory to the extent I feel them in my own mind. Most certainly if she did it 'twas thru contemplation, and from her nature her relatives would have in some way been forewarned.

"During my illness of the past few weeks we had received two letters from her telling of her plan to visit us immediately on our arrival home and of having us return home with her for a visit - cheerful, helpful letters. She mentioned how pleased by Dorris seemed to be in being allowed to tumble about on the floor; she spoke of the new things she had in her home, of plans for the future--and every word fraught with hope, courage and well-being. I do not feel able nor do I feel it will be necessary or best for me to personally enter into an investigation beyond what may be reasonably deduced from known facts. It is true, as Monday's issue of this paper stated, that my son together with other relatives will look into the matter and soon satisfy the public as to the probably facts so far as it is possible to get them. Tragedies similar to the taking away of my daughter are happening every day, and very often such a one is clearly proved to be the work of some friend.

"We may not be able to bring her slayer to justice, but we would have Mrs. Knapp's name, and the sweet babe she leaves, stand clear of the unjust verdict so hastily given."

*****
Lewiston Evening Journal
Lewiston, Maine
October 5, 1908
p. 6

KNAPP INQUEST OPENS

Doctor's Give Conflicting Testimony Regarding Strange Farmington Case

FARMINGTON, Me., Oct. 5 (Special) - The inquest on the death of Mrs. Carroll Knapp, whose body was disinterred in Wayne a week ago for an autopsy, was held at the office of Judge Morrison, beginning at 2:30 p.m. The witnesses outside of the coroner's jury are Dr. F.R. Currier of Phillips, who was examined at length by County Attorney H.N. Blanchard. He testified substantially as the story was printed in the Journal, saying that the wound was inflicted from the left side of the head. He gave testimony to this effect. He said Mr. Knapp had consulted him about her troubles and she told him "she could not stand this torture very much longer." She had repeated that to him twice. He gave testimony regarding the finding of the smoothed-out clothes and that the revolver was found partially hid under the left leg.

Dr. Makepeace of Farmington, who had been sent to Wayne for the autopsy, contradicted the testimony of Dr. Currier, saving the bullet entered on the right side of the head. C.L. Andrews, esq., of Augusta, is making a study of this case, in behalf of the family.

There also are present Henry Cochrane of Monmouth and members of the Knapp family.

The jury went to the Knapp house at 1:30 to look at the bullet holes and then adjourned to Judge Morrison's office where the investigation was taken up.

Dr. Makepeace was on the stand at 3:30 p.m. when the Journal went to press.

  Events

• She worked as a teacher.

Verna married Carroll Lyndall Knapp, son of Philo Perry Knapp and Cora D. Larrabee, 1 June 1907 in Waterville, Kennebec County, Maine.¹⁸⁹⁵ (Carroll Lyndall Knapp was born 29 March 1884 in Kingfield, Franklin County, Maine,^514,1897 died 27 September 1951 in Kingfield, Franklin County, Maine ^1897,1898 and was buried after 27 September 1951 in Kingfield, Franklin County, Maine at Sunnyside Cemetery ¹⁸⁹⁸.)