The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-11-17
Tie Story of the Famous Adams
Express President.
MADE MILLIONS AND LOST THEM
His Career Like NovcI.-His Rise
from All Emand Boy TO the Head of
the Adams Express Compauy--Ho
Never Recovered from the Effects
ofHls Removal.

remarkable men Of the time.
John Hocy was born February IA
1924, IN Drogheda, Ireland. n small
town on the river Boync, near Dublin
His Father, Patrick, was a small far
mer. His mother was passenger on {
coach when she was seized with the
pains OF Childbirth, but was taken to {
little inn, where john Hoey was born
His mother was Miss Levins, the sis.
ter OF the parish priest OF Drogheda, q
man who afierward came TO America
and made his mark US controversial
ist, being mentioned Mt one time in
connection with the archbishopric OF
New York.
Through his uncle John Hoey OBJ.
tanned some rudiments Of education,
and used to serve mass in the parish
church.
Getting tired OF life on farm, he ran
away from Drogheda, went to Liver
pool and called for New York. where
he landed in the spring Of 1889 without
any money. While doing odd jobs OF
all sorts about the streets, the attcn.
ton OF James Gordon Bennett, Of the
New York Herald, was attracted, and
the boy was given employment in the
HcrGH office, his work being folding and
delivering papers and running on er-
rands. 1t was part OF Hoey's duty to
deliver papers to the New Haven
steamer, which left New York every
other day, and also at the Office Of the
Adams Express, new venture which
had Just been established at No. Wall
street.
This express had Just been started by
Alvin Adams to run in opposition to
Harnden's Express between New York
and Boston, via steamer to Norwich,
and thence by stage. Every other day
trunk was despatched and one re-
ceivcd. Hoey was taken INTO this Office
as errand boy Just At the time when the
late William B. Dinsmore came on from
Vermont to associate himself with
Adams. They both took n fancy to
the little, red headed Irish boy and ad-
vanced him steadily rs the business
grew, until he was ehrningSi week.
At that time the entire force OF
Adams Express consisted, besides
Adams and Dinsmorc, of Stoddard, the
bookkeeper; Addison Brasto, clerk;
johnson, agent. and John Hoey, label
boy.
As business improved Adams and
Dinsmorc moved 10 No. l6 Wall street,
and Hoey was working his way steadily.
About this time he had formed the
acquaintance OF Frank Work, who was
three years his senior.
Hoey's salary at this time was 81, and
his expenses for board, &c. So. He
managed to spend small sum every
week for tickets to theaters.
Henry NJ. Plant, the present owner Of
the Southern Railroad and Express
system, had been employed on the New
Haven boat which Hoey delivered
papers. The two kept their friendship,
and Plant finally came into the employ
OF Dinsmore d Adams and became the
close intimate Of young Hoey and Work.
In the meantime the California craze,
the building OF the New York and New
Haven road and the establishing of a
southern line OF steamers had vastly in
creased the bulk and profit OF Adams
Express, and the formation OF com.
pany was desirable.
In 1852 Adams Express company was
incorporated, aud soon after moved into
the five new buildinga built for 1t Mt
No. 80 Broadway, which are to-day the
headquarters OF the company
At that time John Hoey had been
promoted 10 have charge OF the South
ern and Eastern steam line business,
and Plat was in charge OF the railway
service. About this time Hoey started
sort oil adjunct to the Adams Express
company called Hoey's express, which
covered the coNstwise route Of the new
Savannah line OF steamers, and made
considerable money by his venture.
About this time Hoey fell in love with
Mrs. Russell,'a young English widow,
who was playing in Burton's theater, in
Chambers street, New York. He mar
ried her secretly, and the announcement
OF Mrs. Russell's retirement from the
stage was made from the stage OF the
theater Hoey took his friend Plant to
the theater the night OF the announce
ment, and they sat together in the
orchestra.
After the final curtain had been rung
down and the house was still applaud
ing, the curtain was raised, the entire
company, including John Lester Wal.
lack and John Broughton, was mustered
on the stage. and Burton himself ad-
vanced to the footlights, and announced
in neat and witty speech that "Mrs.
Russell, il he might still call her so, had
resolved to give up her part in tho play
and assume again the character ofwiic, E"
and then naming John HOey as the
happy man.
OF course, the funny incident was
town talk for number OF days, and
congratulations poured in fast upon the
happy pair. Soon afterward Mr.. Hoey
adopted Mrs. Russell's children, and
they have since borne his name, Will
lam Hoey being the present superin-
tendent OF Adams Express Company,
and John S. Hoey, living at Hollywood
with his vito and son.
Soon after marriage MIR, and Mrs.
John Hoey established themselves in
house in West Twenty-third street,
whero they settled down to life OF un.
alleged domestic happiness.
Three children-George, josephine
and Fredcric-have been born TO them,
all of whom arc living. George and
Josephine married, and Frederic is still
unmarried.
The Twenty.third street house be-
came tho headquarters for noted poo.
pie. Actors wandered in and out as il
at homo, editors wrote there and noted
politicians met in the house.
About the beginning OF the war, and
when he had been appointed to be gen.
ersl manager OF tho Adams Express
CnInnnnY. Mr.. HnnY bonpht the old