Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-20
HAD 1877 HOUSEKEEPERS,
But Evan Adams Gould Keep None of
Them.
The Last So Frightened Him That He
Spent His Life I'm Solitude
and Died Alone.

Evan Adams, famous as the man who had
lSI housekeepers in the few years that have
elapsed since the death of his wife. died at
Mount Pleasant, n. J., the other day, in the
same little house where he was born sew
enty-sfx years ago. He was married before
he reached his majority and for over forty
years lived happy welded life, raising a
large family Of daughters. who are now
grown up. married and among the most re-
spected residents of Atlantic county
Mrs. Adams died about ten years ago, and
her husband was so stunned by his sudden
bereavement that for a time his life was
despaired Of A year after her death a
sudden change was noticed In Adams He
seemed to entirely forget his loss, but con-
tinued 10 shun all companionship. His
daughters expostulated with him, only to
be driven from home, ard his neighbors
gave MIN emphatic warnings to keep the
peace.
Soon he developed a mania for house
keepers. None could be secured near his;
home, so he procured one through the me
dunn of Philadelphia employment agency
She remained three days only and left with
out wages or reference. She was replaced
by another domestic, who in turn left with
in the week. Others followed in quick sue
cession. none remaining longer than one
week.
Adams soon found himself blaclslsted in
the help bureaus of the Quaker city. Then
he visited New York, and girls of ali nation
alities were imported to Mount Pleasant.
but always with the same result Some
stayed day and some a week, but terrific
quarrels, which furnished a neyer-ending
scandal for the countryside always marked
their exits from the little homestead
AT last The climax was reached. From a
metropolitan agency Adams secured a
buxom girl of thirty summers She was No.
dax- af,a
advent the neighbors were treated to a
stirring sight Sounds of terrible struggle
came from the cottage and few moments
later Adams came flying through the door,
cad IN his shirt and Trousers only, his face
bruised and bleeding, while right on his
heels came his newly acquired treasure her
hair disheveled and in her hand a huge ak
which she wildly brandished as she chase
her fleeing employer. All over the little
farm she pursued him, until he took refuge
up q cherry tree. There the angry servant
girl held Evan besieged all day. Ia vain he
pleaded Tor mercy; she swore that If he
dared TO come down she would brain him
with the AK. Not until night did she give
up her vigil. and even after she had left
Adams was in such fear that he spent the
night roosting in the leafy branches In
the morning he cautiously yentured to ap-
proach The house. He found the doors
wide open. the furniture smashed into kin.
ding wood ana the housekeeper gone
Inat was the last of the list. Since that
DAY Evan Adams has never dared to have
another housekeeper. Not a woman's face
has frightened his house, and even at his
death no plying female eyes watched BY
his side
For the past two years Adams had made
daily trips to this city, peddiing little novel.
ties and knick-knacks. which he carried
about in an antiquated carpet sack
Adams was at one time comparativel,
wealthy. but his many ventures in the helu
line nave eaten up his property. and he died
In almost abtect poverty. He was a small
weazened-up man. so bent with age and its
a,,ehoaht in'lrmities that he was hardly
able to move about.