The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-12-03
MURDERED FOURTEEN MEN.
JMazatlan, Mexico. letter Oct. 81 to the New
World World1

IMazatlan, Mexico. letter Oct. 81 to the New
World World.l
An Englishman named Tom Adams
who for the past eight or ten years has
owned low tavern and dance-house in
this place, and gained general notoriety
as q desperate character, died on the
18th inst. from the effects of pistol
wound received in fight several months
ago. just previous to his death, when
assured that his doom was inevitable, he
sent for Capt. Verplank, the American
commercial agent at this port, and init
mated that he had some important dis
closures to make, which he desired
should be given publicity IN the Eastern
States. Capt. Vefplank having consent
ed to comply with bis wishes and take
down whatever statement he had to
make in writing, the dying man un-
himself guilty of fourteen murders, ell
but one OF which were committed ID the
United States and Canada Adams
commenced his narrative by stating
that his proper name was George Wor-
ley, and that he was 8 native of Man
chester, England. Ee commenced his
career Of crime by numbering the second
mate of the American ship Cuhivotor. in
the Liverpool dock, about the year 1854.
After this deed, We went to Canada, and
roved about through those provinces for
two years In persuit of robbery. In the
year 1856, at which time he was known
by the name Of Orion, he was engaged
as sailor on the lakes. While lying la
the American port Of Oswego, he mur-
dered a man, whom he understood 20 be
painter, by throwing him over q bridge.
He met bis 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 q slung-shot, and
disposed Of the body in the way men
toned.
After this Adams returned to Canada,
and assumed the name of Townsend
With two aocomplices, be commenced
campaign of robbery, and perpetrated
four murders in the country west Of
Toronto, ending with the killing Of a
Sheriff few miles west Of Niagara Xiv
er. That country then became too
warm for him, In consequence of the of
fering Of Large rewards for his arrest,
and he escaped on board schooner pas
sing through the Canadian canal to the
An erican port OF Toledo. From this
port he went 10 Chicago, aud committed
same summer. One Of his victims Was
the Captain of vessel, whom be follow
ed from the st. Charles saloon /; enoth-
er was German saloon-keeper, whom
he killed in his bed at night, In his
place of business, which was situated
near railroad depot, and the third was
some man unknown to him, whom he
murdered after leaving a brothel. After
these crimes, he was arrested in Chicago,
tried and convicted of burglary, and
served q 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 murders,
both of his victims in that city being
unknown to him. One was country
man, whom he enticed to the outskirts
of the city, and obtained about $4,000
on bis body. After leaving New York,
he was engaged in series of robberies
through the Southern States. he re-
turned to Baltimore, and murdered a
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 left 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 de-
sperate characters on the coast. He
finally met his fate at the hands of
Spanish gambler, named Gonzales, in a
drunken quarrel over throw of dice.
He leaves between $15, 900 and $4,000,
in cash or its equivalent, as the result of
his career of atrocious crime, which he
has willed to sister, supposed to be his
only living relative. who resides at Shelf
field. England The legatee needs TO
be devoid of any superstitious scruples
to receive and enjoy such a blood -clot-
ted legacy.