Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-12-30
MISCELLANY Y.
Alvin Adams, the EXpressman.

The Boston Saturday Eyeaing Express,
gives the following sketch of man whose
business relations have rendered his name
familiar throughout the country, and who
has but few rivals in the way of enterprise,
and we may also say, success =
Among the business men of Boston, and
whom we shall take great pleasurein briefly
sketching, is ALVIN ADAMS, the Express
man name that is familiar as household
words in. every commercial and business
quarter Of the whole globe, and name too,
that is as honorably as it is universally
known. We could hardly select better
type of the business man-one that is mark
ed by more energy, enterprise, sagacity
and probity. The only error and misfor-
tune of this and any other community is,
that it does not, as a general thing, under
stand and hold at their true value such
men.
| Mr.. Adams was born in Andover, Ver-
ment, June lG, 1904, and has consequently
reached the substantial age of 50. His ia
ther was a farmer, and a fair specimen of
the New England type, than which there is
no better under the sun. AT the esry age
Oi Gl9Ht. AtN lil "dS tIBi ~ ca vi HIS Ddlt
by DEATH both of whom were borne to the
grave within the period of single week.
He was indentured, as was the case in those
days, to an elder brother, to remain till he
became q years of age. For while this
arrangement was not distasteful; but in
time he became restless. Farming and
tarm-life was monotouous. At least, so
thought our subject, who as he put year
! after year unop the column of his vet
Youthful lite, began TO feel an irrepressible
ambition to do and be something more-to
90 out into the world upon larger scale,
and act for himself. Evidently farming as
the saying is, was not his forte; in plain
Saxon, not his vocation. 1t was not an
easy matter to get from home and the farm.
But away he did get, and at the age of l6,
! in 1920, he went TO Woodstock, where he
became an assistant in a hotel. He remain
ed here four years, during which he gained
a character for ability and smartness which
was well founded. In 1924 he came TO
Boston, with but little money and no friends;
not even an acquaintance. He had, how
ever, what often serve quite as well, and in
The long run is far better, stout heart,
true courage, firm will, and strong de-
termination. These in time told as they al
ways tell. After awhile he procured
clerkship at the Lafayette Hotel, Washing
ton street. opposite Boylston Market, just
then opened and which, with the fremont,
was the crack public house of the city.
His intelligence, probity and industry not
only pleased his employer, but his atfabe
manners and joyous disposition won HIM
| hosts of friends. He soon became great
fayorite. Subsequently he went into the
butter and produce business, IN which he
was successful, and was on the road to COM
petence and fortune, when the greatest OF
| all commercial disasters which our country
has known-that of 1S37-swept nm pros
trate. as it did nearly every business man
IN the community. 1t left him not only
,,;,hout a dollar. bat under the weighiy en-
horrossment of debt. Though prostrated,
he was not disheartened. He bounded to
b;s feet and with hope and courage began
TO look about him. He was determined 10
do somsthing. With atamiy upon his hands
and with empty pockets, something OF course
must he done. But it was the darkest hour
- 40 or TO get. Hewent West, taking all
the chief cities in the line from boston 70
81 Louis. But nothing was found, Noth-
mo turned up or could be turned up.
TL;,cs were worse there than here. II II
,,as dark East it was doubly dark west
Ie returned. H;s pluck, though tried, was
stHl strong. Little incidents sometimes re-
snlt in great ends-planets grow out oi
atoms. One day, passing from Dock square
through Elm street, he met Mr, l. D.
.. Rrrke. an old acquaintance. Bo:h were
~ of business. The usual compliments o
i've dav we're exchanged. just as they
, ,yero nartinc. word was said in relation it
rnnr;no an express in a small way, to New
VIZ Mr.. Harnden had recently led OF
4 in the same business, and thus no uouV
: snooestcd the idea. Bot little was though
:. of the matter at the time, and each wen
i ., his way. Meeting, few days m'er
,,.o-5s in somewhat similar circumstances
,I'a snbicct was preached, and II was de
a;,ie1 between them that they would aitemp
n ~ ,,,o;ect. They did so, but it was no
s,,tl;.;enIly profitable for bo'h, and Nj
p,rte retired. leaving Mr.. Adams the sol
nronrietor. lie performed all It's duties
,,elsencer. cashier. receipt-cierk, porte
he same as did Mr.. llarnden. L h
S.-;ress then was small. One trunk
a.I.rote size sufficed TO contain all the Pai
oIes and packages that we're sent betwee
m .he 49,, ,wo cites. each man going and comm
: :. ',;,l his treasure Now it requires nCt oni
e ,.nnks bot cars not only man for eac
4. = he lines. but scores of men TO 90 an
- 80 besides clerks, porterS. wagons lare
ID ~, ~ mali. .Sc.. &c, without number. Ihe
an L. - Fxnress was a mere experiment, doub
Mt chi s,,I and small noe it Is great and imPo