January 21

January 21, 1912

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The January 20, 1912 edition of the Daily Democrat reported that 19 year-old Nellie Kennedy "burst into tears" when arrested by the Chief of Detectives, Officer Long, along with four con men and thieves as well as Mrs. Jessie Knott, the wife of one of them. Police had visited the home of Kennedy (also known as Nellie Miller) and her husband who lived in the same house at 1717 Carondelet Street as Mr. and Mrs. Knott. The police had been to the home the day before and found a packed trunk but no occupants.

Nellie Miller "unhesitatingly and in a straight-forward manner related her story to police officers" who "were inclined to believe her" reported the newspaper. Her story was that she had married Miller under false pretenses but that he later admitted to her that he was a thief. According to the young lady, they had been introduced to one another by a physician, had become engaged in Kansas City where her father had a jewelry store on Main Street (and that the police could contact him to corroborate her story). She said that three weeks prior, the couple had left Kansas City to be married in Dallas. They then, according to her story, went to Memphis where they met Mr. and Mrs. Knott. Meanwhile, her husband had told her that he had sold a business in St. Louis and planned to go back there to open a new business. She said they had arrived in New Orleans a few days before Christmas. She was detained in female department of Parish Prison "and will probably be released" reported the Democrat.

The following day, January 21, 1912, the Democrat reported, with a headline reading "Long's Haul May Prove Big Prize -- Expected to Prove Expert Crooks from Kansas City", that the four men arrested were named Knotts (also known as Knox), Fritz ("the thief and most likely a "lemon' game man), Harris ("a pickpocket"), and Byrus ("all around character and some-time tout").

It had become apparent that the red-haired, blue-eyed, rosy-cheeked, soft-spoken "Miss Kennedy" had duped the police by acting "sweet and innocent". Her "husband" was Wayne Harris (aka Wayne Miller). Police became informed that she had robbed the Oak Street home of Judge Guthrie in Kansas City in May -- stealing $1,800 in jewelry, a revolver, and a men's suit. She had been employed as a servant in the judge's home.

In March, Mr. Knotts/Knox along with John Hepburn (aka Fritz) and John Bradcraft had swindled $2,000 in a pool game in San Francisco.

About two weeks prior to the New Orleans arrests, Mrs. Knotts had knocked on the door of Mrs. Anthony Graffagnini's home at Canal and Clark street and asked Mrs. Graffagnini if she could be allowed to make sketches of the interior rooms, as she planned to build a home just like it. She was admitted. After watching the Graffagnini's comings and goings, Mrs. Knotts and Nellie snuck into the house while Mrs. Graffganini was distracted while hosting a ladies card game. They came away with jewelry and other valuable items. Mrs. Graffagnini was able to identify Knotts as the woman who she had graciously invited into her home. The two women were arrested at the corner of Common and Barrone streets while carrying a suitcase filled with jewelry, glassware, and other stolen goods.

Photos from the New Orleans Public Library.

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