Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-03-29
WILLIAM T. ADAMS OLIVER OPTIC.

He was promoted to the position of
sub-master, after service of five years
and on the resignation of Hon. Charles
klmball, afterward sheriff of Middle
sex, was unanimously elected principal
of the school. In 1861, at his own request
he was transferred to the Bowditch
school, then Just organized in which
situation he remained until the demand
for his literary labors induced him to re-
sign his office in 1865.
His first efforts as writer for the press
were newspaper and magazine articles.
His first literary venture lin covers
was "Hatchie," a volume published
under an assumed name, by B. b. Muzzy
d Co., Boston, in 1858. 1t was followed
the next year by Indoors and Out" a
collection of short domestic stories: and
his first juvenile work, The Boat Club"
published by Brown, Balm 6, Co. The
decided success of his STORY for young
folks seemed to indicate the field OF
the authors future literary labor, and it
was followed by All Abroad" Now or
Never" and TRY Again" issued by the
same lirm. His works then passed into
the hands of Phillips, Sampson &. Co.
whose successors, Lee & Sheppard. still
retain them. His entire juvenile produce
lions are comprised in the Army and
Navy Stories the Boat Club Series. !"
and the 'Iaverdale Stories" in all 30 vol
Nmes; besides. "A Spelling Book for Ad-
Nanced Classes" published by Brewer
" Illeston. Boston. The Army and
Navy Series" embracing six volumes.
under the respective titles of THE Sol
dier Boy" The Sailor Boy" THE Young
Lieutenant, The Yankee Middy.'
Fighting joe" and Grave Old Salt. +"
are founded upon events and personal
hlstory growing out of the recent war.
apd have had an immense sale. While
they are written in style happily adapt
ed to the capacity and taste of the young.
they have an irresistible charm for read
trs of maturer years.
Mr.. Adams was about of the medium
height. well proportioned and active.
He had fair sized symmetrical head.
with countenance expressive of more
than ordinary intellectual capability. His
features were bold and prominent. while
not at all detracting from the handsome
contour of the whole. The prevailing ex-
preston of the face was that of serious
ness and Effectiveness. but his disposi-
ton was rather cheerful and buoyant
than otherwise. AS may be judged from
his being successful teacher he ha d
very attractive qualities of character
and was altogether most genial gentle
man.
He was one of the self-made literary
men of the country. His fondness for
books helped him to an education, which
under other circumstances, he would NOT
have obtained, and the whole effort of his
life was to reach higher and higher pro-
flciency In mental requirements. With
many man the business opportunity
and profits offered in the keeping of a
large hotel would have been sufficient to
have decided his career for life; but moi
SO with this midnight toiler with books
and the pen. His mind was already soar.
ing in the fight Of literary ambition. and
while he found himself competent to in.
struct the young, he, at the same time
pressed forward in the career of author.
snip. Before his 44th year he had fully
succeeded in both branches of his effort
Mr. Adams had lived during nearly all
ms literary career at his Dorchester
eeihe. AZ was member of the school