Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-11-17
sKEIcn ID l9ny ngEY.

president Of the Adams Express Company,
died tonight, at 1910 clock, in his rooms
OF Delmonicos.
SKETCH OF ipHS uOEY.
John HOey was born in Drogheda, a
small town On the River Bayne, not far
from Dublin, February iith, Is2l. his
birth occurring, it has been alleged, in the
boot OF coach IN which his mother was
q passenger, though this has been denied
By the subject Of this sketch.
From his maternal uncle, parish priests
young Hoey obtained some Tldiments Of
education, and used TO serve mass in the
parish church at Drogheda, and in the
interval assist his father, who was a small
farmer.
firing of this kind of life the lad ran
away and worked his passage 10 this
country, where he arrived ragged and
barefoot and without shilling in his
PICKET IN the spring Of 1889.
After sleeping about in cellars and door
ways and barely Keeping away starvation
ior a time. lie secured employment in the
New York NaaiI Office. where he folded
aud delivered papers TO regular customers.
Part Of bis duties was to take papers 10 the
Adams Express. then new venture.
Alvin Adams the founder Of the com
pany, and William B. DinsmOre, his asso.
eiate, took fancy to young Hoey and took
AtaA A4Ah'y kilE y444Ge ~ anu DyA. IliteN
tanned the confidence Of his employers,
and as the business grew he was advanced
IN position, and by the time the company
was incorporated In ~ he was in charge
Of tile southern and eastern steam line
business. About this time also he started
sort Of adjunct to the Adams Express
Company called lIoey's Express, which
covered the cOastwise route o. the new Sa.
Eannah line Of steamers, and made con.
siderable money by his venture.
About this time, also Mr. H0ey married
Mrs. Russell, the widow Of Mr.. William
Russell. She was an actress and his mar,
rage TO her was first announced from thf
stage Of BurtOn's old theatre. in Chamber
street, where she was filling an engage
inent, BY Burton himself.
The home Of the newly married pair
which was on Twenty-third street, became
the headquarters for the most noted nc tors
and Resort for the best-knOwn editor.
and politicians Of New York city.
About the beginning Of the civil war
MT. HOey was promoted TO be general
manager Of The Adams Express Company
anl by fortunate Investments lie soon
became very rich man. and purchased i
magnificent estate at Long Branch.
ntil ln'l there was not cloud upon
Mr. Hocy's reputation, but, in the autumn
Of that year, TtlmOTs about internal dis
L&presa Company we're bruitcd about.
All Kinds Of stories were in circulation
mperiiing Mr.. Hoey's position as presi
dent OF the company, which he had 'iillet
since the death OF Mr.. William y. bins
more. ON the 18th of October the boart
met and voted that Mr.. Huey's service
we're no longer needed, and removed him
then and there.
IN the beginning Of the trouble th,
indications we're that MIR, IIoey woult
fight the decree Of tile board but the idea
il he had such, was abandoned. A larg,
number Of judgments were entered agains
! min, and. 1t Is said all his private ant
personal means outside Of his property
/ Hollywood, were sacrificed to satisfy
/ them.
Mr, Hoey was extremely fond Of art
/ DfiC-a-brac and plai,ts, ana hal a fine col
| lection of all three. Nor was lIe sciiist
| with them, for his grounds were throw
I open freely 10 all VINO cared to visit them
4 lie was absolutely fearless man. lnd OF
j two occasions boldly faced incl who Ia,
I threatened his life, and on another, i
4 company with six detectives, he piannce
4 70 eXterminate a gang Of burglars at work
4 IN the vaults of the Adams Express Com
] pany the carrying out Of which was uult
/ prevented By the burglars getting wind o
| what was in store for them il they al
i pCnrcd
He was an exceedingly liberal man, anl
| gave thousands Of dollars away ANNUALLY
| IN charity. He leaves wife, three chill
| drcn and TWO children by his wife's iirs
marriage, whom lie adopted.