ROCKWOOD TIMES, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1922 - PAGE 1
DESPONDENT CITY OFFICER KILLS SELF ON SATURDAY
J. Q Knox Found Near City Limits With a Self Inflicted Wound in His Head
J. Q. Knox, until recently a city police officer, was found dead Saturday morning shortly before 8:00 o'clock, beside the right-of-way of the old narrow gauge railroad, near the city limits. The dead man had a bullet wound in his head, the shot having entered the left temple and emerged on the right side of the head. He was lying face downward, with a pistol at his feet, from which every indication pointing to the fact that he committed suicide. Persons residing nearby heard the shot, and at once commenced an investigation that disclosed the body of the officer in a few minutes. A coroner's jury was summond, and an inquest held, which established suicide as the cause of death.

Despondency over troubles in which he was involved is thought to have been the reason for his act of self destruction. Mr. Knox was appointed city pound master when the law against live stock running at large was passed last April, and was dilligent and successful in enforcing its provisions. In so doing he incurred the enmity of a certain element, and a number of young men and boys had taken every chance to bawl at him, mock him, and otherwise hinder him in his work. This continued until some two or three weeks ago, when a few young men employed at the Roane County Packing co., plant yelled at Knox as he was passing on the street. The officer proceeded to enter the building and severly beat up the first person he encountered, while the guilty parties escaped through a rear entrance. Following this encounter, Knox was discharged from his job, and tried on a charge of assault. He was bound over on this charge, and failed to obtain bond. He then left town suddenly, and was gone for two days, returning Friday on a night train. Saturday morning he started out to see his father who resides in the country, leaving home a little after 7:00 o'clock. Since the holding of the inquest it is reported that he asked his wife for his pistol before he left, saying he was going to sell it. This is the last that was seen of the unfortunate man, and it is supposed that he became despondent over the fact that he had lost his job, and was apparantly deserted by his friends and facing conviction and a jail sentence, and so determined to end his life.

Funeral services were conducted Monday by Rev. J. C. Cate, of Eureka, and burial was in the Odd Fellows' Cemetary. Mr. Knox is survived by a wife, a son, and a married daughter who live in Rockwood, and several brothers who live near the city. His father also survives him. The deceased was about 50 years old, and his numerous friends and relatives regret his untimely and tragic death. As an officer of the law, Mr. Knox served the city faithfully for some time, discharging well the duties of a difficult and unpopular position.

(NOTE - It is a family story that 30 years later, and on his deathbed, another man confessed to murdering James Q. Knox. We are still looking for the confirmation to this family history) 939