Jos. Knitter

1843 Wiele - 1903 Minneiska

I am that infamous Jos. Knitter
Drunkard, wife beater, and murderer.
All Winona County knew of my exploits
I drank and beat my family because it was expected of me,
Because my father drank and beat his family,
Because it was expected of him.
Back in '96 I was practically living at the County Jail
So the sheriff decided to send me to New Jersey.
For a cure. For the civic good.
The County Commission wouldn't pay.
If they sobered me up, they'd have to sober up
All the other drunken Polacks.
I never wanted to hurt Elzbieta. I never meant to murder her.
She got pregnant again, so I said I would get a job,
I just wanted fifty cents to go down to the tavern.
I jumped up and down on her stomach, killing
Our child, and eventually Elzbieta herself,
I got off of the murder charge because she refused
To testify against her husband, even on her deathbed.
Walking back from Minneiska one Saturday afternoon,
I got hit by a Milwaukee Road train.
The paper pointed out that I was drunk,
But that was expected of me. On the other hand,
Lots of respectable people have been hit by trains.

859 East Sanborn