New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-11-22
Tom Adams, the Desperate.

A Mazatlan correspondent of the New
York World furnishes the following:
An Englishman named Tom Adams, who
for the past eight or ten years has owned a
low tavern aud dancehouso in this place.
and gained general notoriety as desperate
character, died on the fifteenth instant from
the effects OF q pistol shot wound received
in fight several months ago just previous
to his death, when assured that his doom
was inevitable, he sent for Captain Yer
plank, the American commercial agent at
this port, and intimated that he had some
important disclosures 20 make. which he
desired should ba given publicity in the
Eastern States. Captain Ferplank having
consented to comply with his wishes and
take down whatever statements he had 10
make in writing, the dying man unburdened
his conscience by contessing himself guilty
of fourteen murders, all but one OF which
were committed in the United States and
Canada.
Adams commenced his narrative by
stating that his proper name was George
WOrley, and that he was a native OF Man
chester, England. He commenced his
mate of the American ship CultiTator, in
the Liverpool docks, about the year 1851.
After this deed he went to Canada, and
rOved about through those provinces tor
two years in pursuit Of robbery. In the
year 1855. at which time he was known by
the name Of Orion, he was engaged as
sailor on the lakes. While lying in the
American port Of Oswego he murdered
man. whom he understood to be painter,
by throwing him over a bridge. He met
his victim in . drinking saloon, where he
went to collect bill of the proprietor, and
followed him until the opportunity was
favorable, when he struck him down with
slung-shot. and disposed Of she body in the
way mentioned.
After this Adams returned TO Canada and
assumed the name of Townsend. With
two accOmplices he commenced a campaign
Of robbery and perpetrated four murders
in the country west of Toronto, ending
with the killing of sheriff few miles
west of Niagara river. That country then
became too warm for him, in consequence
of the offering of large rewards for his
arrest. and he escaped on board schooner
passing through the Canadian canal to the
American port of Toledo. From this port
he went to Chicago and committed three
murders in that place during the same
summer. One Of his victims was the cap
tain of vessel whom he followed from
the 81. Charles Saloon: another was
killed in his bed at night, in his
place Of business. which was situated near
a railroad depot. and the third was some
man unknown TO him, whom he murdered
after leaving brothsl. After these crimes
he was arrested in Chicago, tried and con-
victed of burglary and served term of
three years in the Illinois State Prison. On
obtaining his release Adams went to New
York, where he remained about one year.
during which time he committed two MUIR
ders, both of his victims in that city being
men unknown to him. One was country
man whom he enticed to the outskirts of
the city and obtained about $4,000 on his
body. After leaving New York he was
engaged in a series of robberies through
the Southern States. He returned to Balti-
mole and murdered prostitute in that city.
subsequently he committed a murder in
Louisville and one in Memphis, but of the
names OF his victims he had no knowledge.
Adams lett New Orleans about the time
of the breaking out Of the war and went to
Vera Cruz. From thence he went to the
City OF Mexico. and came to Mazatlan
about ten years ago. Since his sojourn here
he was widely known and generally feared,
his place being one of the most notorious
rendezvous OF desperate characters on the
coast. He finally met his fate a: the hands
of Spanish gamble. named Gonzales. in a
drunken !uarre! over throw of dice. He
leaves between $4,000 and $4,000 in cash
or its equivalent, as the result of his career
OF atrociOus crime. which he has willed to a
sister, supposed to be his only living rela.
tive. who resides at Sheffield, England.
The legatee needs to be devoid OF any SUI
Derstltlous scruples to receive and enjoy
such q bIooG-cIotted legacy.