The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-18
SOUGHT RELIEF In DEATH.
Kneeland T. Adams Ends Life of Physical
Torture by Shooting Himself.

Thirteen years ago Kneeland T, Adams, form
in LaSalle, ILL.,, came with A. W. Hatch. his
partner in business there, to this city. The Two,
continuing their partnership, established a large
store for dry goods and general dealing at No 66
East Washington street. Mr.. Adams brought
with him $50, 900. The business enterprise
named confined for two years, when a dissolu-
ton occurred. Mr.. Adams then engaged in the
commission line, and afterwards carried on a re-
tail grocery at the corner of Central avenue and
St Mary street. This last business he conducted
at the time of the tragic circumstance herein re-
lated. During all these years Mr.. Adams suf-
fered intensely from periodical attacks of neu-
ralgia in the head. Indeed, long before his COM
ing to this city he was a victim of this disease,
which an injury on the head made wore On
one occasion, in LaSalle, he was walking along
the street with man ahead Of
him and three behind him. The one
leading stepped into a store, and, an instant
ate wards, the three men assaulted Mr. Adams.
It was in the evening, and the assaulting party
mistook Mr.. Adams for the first man, whom they
wanted. Some years later, he received another
.
ease increased in force and frequency of attack.
When the pains came on the utmost quietness
had to be observed at his home The members
of the family went about On tip-toes, and the
doors and windows were tightly closed to keep
out the slightest noise More than once. in the
wildness of his suffering, he has begged his wife
to end his life. He became, for the time, insane
About month ago. one of the worst attacks
he ever had Frustrated him, and then he told his
wife that he could not stand the pain much
longer; that he would die in of the attacks
He suffered more or less all the time. Recovery
came sufficient to allow his attention to bust
ness, but, on Saturday night, he re-
turned home-No 26 School street-in a
frenzy of pain. Throughout Sunday, and
until on Monday morning, when he was
thought to be some BETTER his suffering indicated
the worst possible phase of the disease short of
death. His respite from the intensity OF pain
did not last long, and Monday night his agony
returned as if with double force.
Tuesday morning between and e O'Clock,
while the family were in the kitchen, with two
closed doors intervening between that and the
room where Mr.. Adams lay slight click was
heard. 1t received no attention, and in few
minutes Mrs. Adams returned to her husbands
room, to find that he had gone into the one oc-
cuped by their son. Mr.. Adams lay on the bed
unconscious. The wife drew the coverings over
him and sent for DR.. Bryant who came and ad
ministered stimulants and an anodyne. Soon
after this the Doctor went away, but the suffer
er showing no signs of improvement he was
again summoned, it being then between and 8
o'clock. The Doctor at first thought
Mr. Adams had suffered shock,
but could not account for it.
On the second visit DR.. Bryant found speck of
blood on the sufferers cuff, but thinking it was
caused by vomiting, gave it no thought until he
found above this spot one much larger. The
worst fears arose with the wife and physician,
which an examination confirmed in the shirt
about the breast near the heart being saturated
with blood. At the foot Of the bed, under the
clothing was found revolver with one chamber
empty. 1t belonged to the son, and lay in the
drawer Of waehstand at the side of the bed
where Adams got it. He shot himself just be-
low the heart. and had it been correctly aimed
the ball would have gone through that organ.
DR.. Waterman was called in, and he,
with DR.. Bryant, attended Mr.. Adams
until he died, at 10 minutes past 8
o'clock yesterday morning. No one but the
physicians, the wife and her two daughters
knew the dreadful secret until the death of the
patient revealed it. It was religiously Kept from
visitors and the son.
Mr.. Adams leaves a wife, two adult daughters
and son nineteen years of age. He leaves
them $40, 900 insurance on his life. two policies
issued by the Connecticut Mutual, one for $l0-
600 Ill 1867, and another for $3,00O issued in
1873 The last is paid up. There is another
policy this from the Michigan Mutual, for S. 600.
At one time he carried $35, 600 life insurance.
The coroner will have post-mortem made to-
dav