Helene Knabe
Helene Knabe | |
|---|---|
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| Born | December 22, 1875 |
| Died | October 24, 1911 (aged 35) Indianapolis, Indiana |
Helene Elise Hermine Knabe (December 22, 1875–October 24, 1911) was a German-American doctor, teacher, and murder victim.[1] The Woman's Medical Journal reported her death, describing her as "formerly state bacteriologist of Indiana, at Indianapolis, on October 24th. Dr. Knabe's untimely death at the age of 35 deprives the medical profession of an enthusiastic worker in the field of hygiene and sanitation; one whose excellent qualities endeared her to her many friends."[2]
Life, career, and murder
Born in what is now Germany, Knabe emigrated to the U.S. in 1896, landing in New York.[3] Trained at the Medical College of Indiana, she became a state deputy health officer, assistant state pathologist, and assistant superintendent of the Indiana State Board of Health bacteriological and pathological department.[1] She later served as chair of hematology and parasitology at the Indiana Veterinary College (IVC).[1]
A laboratory assistant found her dead in her apartment, with her throat cut, lying in an odd position on the bed.[3]
Her death in 1911 was initially called a suicide.[1] The local women's club funded an independent investigation.[4] This resulted in murder charges against William B. Craig, the dean of students at the IVC, and Alonzo Ragsdale, an undertaker.[1] The charges were later dropped, and the case remains officially unsolved.[1] The Women's Medical Club of Chicago gave a memorial tea in her honor in 1913.[5]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kobrowski, Nicole R. (February 5, 2021). "Helene Elise Hermine Knabe". Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Indianapolis Public Library. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
- ↑ The Woman's Medical Journal. Recorder Publishing Company. 1911. p. 207.
- 1 2 Baker, Tarkington (December 9, 1911). "Who Killed Dr. Helene Knabe?". Collier's: The National Weekly. Vol. xlviii, no. 12. Crowell-Collier Publishing Company. pp. 15–16, 27. ISSN 2161-6469.
- ↑ Smallwood, Carol; Gubnitskaia, Vera (June 28, 2018). Genealogy and the Librarian: Perspectives on Research, Instruction, Outreach and Management. McFarland. p. 33. ISBN 978-1-4766-7087-4.
- ↑ The Chicago Medical Recorder. Medical Recorder Publishing Company. April 1913.
External links
- Taylor, Stephen J. (November 9, 2015). "Bacteria, Blood & Bad Dreams: The Unsolved Murder of Helen Knabe". Historic Indianapolis. Retrieved 2026-08-09.