Karl Kay Knecht

The Photographers Of Evansville Indiana

Karl Kae Knecht, 1883 to 1972


Karl Kae Knecht at his desk	James Bethel Greshams funeral, greshams body, carried by sailors into the Coliseum to lie in state before burial at Locust Hill Cemetery. American Soldier. Corporal Gresham was one of the first three servicemen -– along with Private Merle David Hay of Glidden, Iowa, and Private Thomas F. Enright of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -- to die in combat in World War I, Photo by Knecht 1919

Knecht mastered the heavy Graflex just as World War I got under way. Knecht's photos began to appear every day, many highlighting war-related activities in the Evansville area.

He officially became the paper's first photographer in 1917 when the company purchased its own camera, a 5-by-7 Graflex. Knecht captured local Wo rld War I activities and took the first aerial photographs of Evansville. He loved aviation and in 1913 became Evansville's first resident to ride in an airplane, an open-air two-seater.

The Evansville Courier relied on Karl Kae Knecht for more than his daily cartoons. Away from the drawing board, he worked as a photographer and a columnist.
He officially became the paper's first photographer in 1917 when the company purchased its own camera, a 5-by-7 Graflex. Knecht captured local Wo rld War I activities and took the first aerial photographs of Evansville. He loved aviation and in 1913 became Evansville's first resident to ride in an airplane, an open-air two-seater.

He was a follower of the arts and for many years served as the new s paper's drama editor. He interviewed stage personalities, reviewed shows and in 1919 began a column titled, "Say, Kay! What of Folks, Shows, Animals N' Such." The column appeared weekly until 1954.

Knecht himself was a bit of a showman. He was well know n for his chalk talks, or "Krayon Karicatures," and in 1911 took his drawing-storytelling act to vaudeville for a one-week run at Evansville's new Grand Theatre. Knecht gave his chalk talks around the Tri-State until his equipment was destroyed in the 193 7 flood.

In 1921, Knecht and other department heads acquired stock in The Courier. He became a member of the company's board of directors and in 1952 became vice president. Despite his drive and ambition, Knecht was regarded by colleagues and friends as quiet and unassuming, "a gentleman who exuded a cheery presence."

Karl Kae Knecht was born in the Dakota Territory in 1883 and was raised in Illinois. He worked as a railroad night clerk while attending art school. He moved to Evansville in 1906 to ac c ept his first and only job as a professional cartoonist.

When Knecht married a local woman, Jannie Moore, in 1918, Evansville became his lasting home.

He retired from The Courier on June 1, 1960, as one of America's most enduring newspaper personaliti es.

Return to list