The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-01-06
TOOK HIS OWN LIFE.
A Young Man in Pit Of RsmOrSe Sends a
Bullet Through His Head.
An Electrician Plays Wonderful and Anus
ing Franks Upon His Friends-A Man
Arrested for Swind.ing New
York jewelers..

NEw YORK, Jan. 3.-There are few men in
Brooklyn better known than Frank y. Ad-
ans, who took his own life at Omaha the day
before Christmas. Although printed in
Western papers, the fact OF the suicide was
not generally known here until to-day. He
was a bright young man, and had a most
captivating appearance. -HiS parents, who
occupied handsome mansion on Brooklyn
avenue. were. devoted Christians. Frank re-
ceived his education in the Polytechnic In
stitute, and obtained his certificate of gradu-
alton before he reached his twentieth year.
HIS father, William Newton Adams, was a
member of the firm of Moses Taylor & Co.,
well known importers in New York. Desir-
ing to establish his son in business, he Sc
cured for him position of trust in the tea
house of Phelps & Bros, New York. The
young man showed remarkable business
ability, and the firm gave him every possible
encouragement. lie had the handling of
all Its money, and on many occasions he
was allowed to make out checks for large
sums.
In a short time, however, A6ams began
to make his appearance quite late at his
desk. His countenance began TO show ten
denotes of dissipation, and ihe head of the
firm and his father did all III their power to
on. Adams, however continued to associate
with his evil companions. The firm. at the
earnest solicitation of friends, allowed him
to remain in his position. His father was
surprised one day by receiving a letter from
Mr. Phelps to the effect that Frank had ap-
propriated to his own use a large sum of
money which did not belong to him. Mr..
Adams, Sr. made good the defalcatiOn, and
few months later young Frank went to
Michigan. He received large sums of
money from mis- father and spent it avishly.
From there he dTifted to Galveston. His
many influential friends secured for him
position in the United States MarshalS office
of that place. lie spent money freely, and
was also great favorite with gentlemen of
sporting pToclivities.
Marshal Phelps in the spring OF 1850. dis
. covered that Adams had forged his name TO
+ checks amounting to II, 200 and had him ar
rested. Shortly afterward the culprit was
sent to prison for two years. He made an
unsuccessful attempt 10 poison himself pre-
vious to his arrest, but was saved through
the timely use of a stomach pump. While
in Huntsville Prison he received letters from
many of the leading young ladies of Calves
ton. Flowers and books reached HIM daily
from the same source, and severa! of his
companions often dined with him in his cell.
One of his brothers, who Is engaged in busi-
ness in Wall street, New York, wrote to
friends in Galveston, stating that Frank had
been to Texas in order that he might have
chance to reform.
few months before the wayward young
mans term expired Governor Ireland par
doned him and he returned to Galveston.
There he published lengthy card in which
he asserted that the cause of his return was
owing to the fact that he wanted to live down
his disgrace. The statement vas brought to
the attention of Mr. Fowler, the head of a
brokers' firm. He sent for Frank and put
him in position of trust. THE young man
shsd however, been in his new place but
short time when he stole several hundred
dollars. The members of the firm stipulated
that if he left Texas they would not prose
cute him. Adams of course. accepted the
of, r, returning last spring TO Brooklyn. He
remained but a short time. From here he
went to Omaha, Neb and in a lit OF remOrSe
sent a bullet through his head. lie left
letter stating that the disgrace OF not being
recognized by his family, and having moth
ing TO live for, had prompted him to end his
life. Adams at one time engaged to be
married to the daughter of a very prominent
local clergyman.