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Idaho County Free Press Wednesday, June 30, 1971
EUGENE KNAPP FORMER RESIDENT DIES IN WALLA WALLA
WALLA WALLA---Eugene F. Knapp, of 1015 SW Grandview, College Place, died June
27, in a Walla Walla hospital, at the age of 84 years.
He was born August 14, 1886, in Menlo, Iowa, the son of George and Emma Knapp.
He homesteaded in the Colville, Washington, country in 1913 where his mother was
a pioneer teacher. He married the former Nellie White on June 21, 1910, in
Greenwood, BC. She preceded him in death in 1948. In 1929 Mr. Knapp was first
employed by the forest service, and retired from that service in 1954, having
first served in the Elk City and Grangeville areas. He moved to College Place
from Idaho in 1963 to make his home with his daughter.
He was a member of the College Place Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Survivors include his daughter, Mrs. Ernest (Lillian E.) Schoepflin of College
Place; his son, Gerald E. Knapp of College Place; one brother, Vern of
Pocatello; three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; several nieces and
nephews.
Funeral services were Tuesday, June 29, at 1:30 p.m. in the Colonial Funeral
Home, Walla Walla, with the Elder T.M. Cole and Elder Rankin H. Wentland,
officiating. Interment followed in the Mt. Hope Cemetery at College Place.
Historical Events
By Frances Zaunmiller
Gene worked in the timber, cutting logs and poles in the day of skidding with
horses. He also worked in the orchards in the Lewiston area during the 1920's.
It was on one of these seasonal jobs that he rescued a child from drowning in
the Snake River during a camp meeting.
He became a regular seasonal worker for the Forest Service in Red River and
Dixie districts in 1927. He staked a claim and built a cabin on Moose Creek.
Many people knew that little cabin as "the place where the flowers
grow". Others knew it as an almost complete collection of Central Idaho
rock samples.
Upon retiring from the forest service, Gene bought four acres near Mt. Idaho.
Son Gerald and his family helped build a small house there. It was another place
of flowers and vegetables shared with all his friends.
It was while at Mt. Idaho that Gene helped found the Rock Hound Club, now so
active in Grangeville and Idaho County. A collection of rock and ore samples,
gathered by Gene, is on display in the Idaho County Courthouse.
In the middle 1960's, Gene injured his back and decided to move nearer his
children. It was another small house, with growing space for beloved fruits,
flowers and vegetables, item shared with friends and the students at Walla Walla
College and College Place.
During the early 30's while on one of the big fires which raged through the
mountains, Gene saw an interesting ledge protruding from the face of one ridge.
It was almost 40 years before he could return to search for the silver outcrop.
In 1969, Gene's 83rd birthday was celebrated "on the ridge" with his
son, grandson and several friends.
He could not make the long hike in 1970, but since son Gerald and grandson Ray
to make the search while he waited at College Place. His body riddled with
cancer, Gene tended his garden, gathered the apricots.
Submitted by Chris Cornett
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