The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1890-12-25
DEATH or AOI. Ill WAR.
A Brief Biographical Sketch Of On. Il Ii Bsst
d Men and Hest Able Newspaper Writers.

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This community has seldom, II ever,
experienced 90 great q shock as II did
over the news Of the sudden death Of
Hon. J. N. Adams, who expired in this
city at $3.50 O'Clock Monday afternoon.
Mr.. Adams has been in very poor health
for months past, but latterly he has been
looking much improved and was appar-
emily in better health than at any time
since his serious sickness during the sum-
mer. His physicians had warned him
against exertion, but shortly before his
death be attempted to nail up the doors
Of tenement belonging TO him, situate
across from The HERALD Office, which
had recently been vacated. The effort
was too much and he abandoned the
work. On reaching the street be met
Colonel L. s. Hewlett and the two en-
gagged in conversation, which was inter
rupted after q few moments by Mr..
Adams being attacked by hemorrhage Of
the lungs. Colonel Hewlett supported
him and he was assisted to The HERALD
Office, where he quickly became uncon-
scious. Doctors Gum, Rosser and Cham
bers were summoned, but their efforts
were Of no avail. Mrs. Adams arrived Q
few minutes before her husbands death,
and he seemed to recognize her voice and
her presence, but life was 90 near extinct
that any outward sign was remarked only
by those who were intently watching
him,
James Madison Adams was born in
Estell county, Kentucky, in 1851. His
family removed to Illinois in 1859, where
the primary foundation Of his education
was laid. In 1868 he was apprenticed to
the printers trade in the Office Of the
Radical Republican, Of NATION, ILL.,, and
subsequently became associated with an
elder brother in the publication Of the
Standard, at Marble Hill, Mo. While
living IN Missouri he attended the state
university at Columbia. Afterwards he
was identified with the publication and
editorial management Of the Mississippi
Vallev Globe, pEinted at Cane Girardeau,
Mo. He early took a great interest in
politics, and when p years Of age re-
moved to Washington, D. c., where be
obtained employment in the treasury de-
partment. Always studious, he attended
night school in Washington and also
studied law in the law department Of the
Howard university. Here he became &C.
quainted with Col. Robert G. Ingersoll,
and a strong friendship was founded
which has always lasted and which, dur.
ing Mr.. Adams residence in this state,
has resulted in frequent letters wherein
Col. IngersoIl always evinced his high ap-
probation Of his friends character and
ability. With Senator, now Secretary
Window and others, he took an active
part in the organization Of the exodus Of
the negroes from the south to Kansas,
being secretary Of that association.
Thirteen years ago Mr.. Adams came to
this coast, settling in The Dalles. From
there he went to Walla Walla, where lie
did considerable editorial work on the
Watchman. While living in Walla Walla
he became acquainted with the Yakima
country and its great resources, and his
faith in the outcome Of this section never
wavered. He was probably the first man
who suggested the ACCESSIBILITY Of locating
the state capital at Yakima, and his edi-
torials in the Watchman advocating this
move received much attention.
In 1880 Mr.. Adams was appointed re-
ceiver Of the U. s. land office at Yakima
City, and while holding this Office he
established in 1888, at the urgent solici.
tation Of friends, the Yakima Signal,
which at once took high position among
the newspapers Of the state on account Of
it's able editorials. He was a strong adyo-
cate Of the forfeiture Of the unearned land
grant Of the Northern Pacific, and this
issue was brought into politics, and in
1884 resulted in q split in the Yakima
county convention and the sending of
two sets Of delegates to the territorial con-
yention. The one headed BY Mr.. Adams
was denied admission into the conyen-
ton, which nominated J, M, Armstrong
for delegate to congress. Feeling that
the republican party was in the power Of
q great corporation, Mr.. Adams could not
sanction it's course and manfully and
yioorouslv sunrorta6 Hon Ch.rlos q
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