Knight, "Hero of Indianapolis," Dies

These are three articles reporting on the death of Harry Knight in 1913 in a 200-mile dirt track race won by Ralph Mulford. These articles were published in the following newspapers:

• The July 5, 1913 Indianapolis Star.
• The July 5, 1913 Atlanta Constitution.
• The July 5, 1913 edition of The Evening Tribune (Marysville, Ohio).

Harry Knight was called the "hero of Indianapolis" after his quick thinking to spare the life of Charlie Anderson in a home stretch melee at the inaugural Indianapolis 500. The incident occurred on the 87th lap of race when Joe Jagersberger's Case racer broke a steering knucke and he hit the wall in front of the grandstand. Anderson, his riding mechanic, tumbled out of the car and lay stunned on the track. Knight, driving a Westscott, swerved violently to avoid the stricken man. In doing so, he crashed into the Apperson of Herb Lytle and the Fiat of Caleb Bragg, both being serviced in the pits at the time. In a bit of a miracle, nobody was seriously hurt.
 
Unfortunately, Knight and riding mechanic Milton Michaelis lost their lives two years later in a 200-mile dirt track race at Columbus, Ohio. Attached are articles that cover this tragic event. Knight was 24 years-old, Michaelis 19. As an aside, there was a peculiar story about Knight leading into the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911 when Jennie Dolly, a beautiful Hungarian dancer, had promised to marry him - provided he finished "in the money." He did not, and apparently she was good on her word as he was unmarried at the time of his demise.