Amador ledger., 1900-10-12
DEATH OF R. ]. ADAMS
Electrocuted While String
ing Wires.
HIS DEATH A SHOCK TO THE COMMUNITY
Very Impressive Ceremonies of the
Fraternity During the Funer-
al Services.

The first fatality from the electric
wires, which are strung so thickly
through the town of jackson, occurred
on Saturday last, the victim being
Robert j. Adams, superintendent and
manager of the Amador Electric Rail
way and Light Co. for Jackson. Ever
since the Electric Company commenced
business in this town, in 1893 Mr..
Adams had been engaged in the general
supervision of the company's affairs
here. Being careful and reliable, and
naturally quick in acquiring a know
ledge of anything he undertook, he
soon became expert in the practical
work of the electric lighting business,
and all the dangerous work was done
by him personally.
| Last Saturday he was engaged all
day in installing number of incandes-
cent lights at different points about
town for the purpose of illumination in
honor of the visit of Hon. S. d. Woods,
Republican nominee for Congress in
this district, who was announced to
speak in Jackson that night. Prepara-
tions had been made for a torchlight
procession and band music, and it was
thought that something should be done
in the way of illumination Instead of
the old method of candle illumination,
it was decided to have the incandescent
| lights. 1t was the first attempt at
illumination in this way for a political
gathering, resulting as the sequel shows
in one of the most lamentable tragedies
witnessed in Amador county.
About five O'Clock, Mr.. Adams, as
sisted by his younger son, Robbie, was
working on what was intended to be
the last string of lights. 1t was on
Water street, the line was to reach
| from Ginocchio's store to near Garbari-
mis- blacksmith shop. 1t was necessary
to get the wire he intended to install
over one of the main wires. These
wires are always charged with deadly
current OF from 1000 to $500 volts He
| fastened one end of the loose wire
around the head of a common hammer.
Young Rob was on the shed at
Ginocchio's, holding one end of the
wire. Mr.. Adams threw the hammer
with the wire attached, intending to
| throw it over the main line, at the
same time he called to his son to let go
the wire which he held, which he did.
James Dye Jr., who was one of the
com mmitteeIappointed to make arrange
ments for the political speaking, was
watching the proceedings, and exchang-
ing remarks with Mr.. Adams at the
| time. 1t SO happened that instead of
| throwing the line clear over the main
wire, the claws of the hammer lodged
on the wire, suspending the hammer 80
feet from the ground. Seeing the
mishap, Mr.. Adams remarked to Dye,
Look at that; isn't that luck?' or
words to that effect. Both wires were
thoroughly insulated, but it is said that
no insulation is capable of neutralizing
such heavily charged wires. 1t is at ali
times and under all circumstances, a
dangerous occupation to work around
these live wires. That Mr. Adams
fully realized the risk he was taking is
probable. While cautious and prudent,
no man in Amador county was prepar-
| ed, at the call of duty, to assume
greater risks than he. He commenced
pulling on the wire attached to the
| hammer, with view of shaking it off
the main wire. He was standing in
the street, which was somewhat muddy
from the recent rains, the dampness
adding to the danger of the risky
| undertaking.
Therei were many versions of the
accident Immediately after it occurred,
but the subsequent Investigations by
| the electricians of the Standard Electric
Company tend to prove that the fol-
lowing version is the correct one. In
tugging on the wire to release the
hammer, the position of the hammer
was shifted along the main wire, until
it came to a place whore the insulation
was defective, which spot could be
readily seen from the street as it was
marked by wrapping of white tape
| around the rubber insulation. Sudden
ly Adams uttered cry, while sparks
were noticed shooting out in all direc-
tions. He staggered a few steps and
fell prostrate, and in his fall the ham
mer was fortunately jerked off the
main wire, which fact saved the life of
James Dye, who, without thinking,
rushed up to Adams and caught him
in his arms as he fell. Drs. E. E.
Endicott and A. M. Gall were sum-
moned and everything done in the hope
of bringing him back to life, but to no
purpose. There was muscular action
for few minutes after he received the
shock, but death was no doubt instan-
taneous. Young Rob when he saw
what had happened, cried piteously
for help and then ran home to convey
the dreadful news to his mother. Mrs.
Adams was out visiting at the time,
but the sad intelligence soon reached
her, and she and her daughter Nellie
arrived just as the body was removed
from the spot where it fell to the resi-
dence of c. G. Ginocchio opposite.
Shortly thereafter, the remains were
conveyed to the deceased's residence on
the Hamilton tract.
Ildlngs OF the tragic event was con-
veyed in brief space of time not only
through the town, but throughout the
county, creating profound impression.
The victim of this accident Was well
and favorably known from one end of
the county to the other. All festal
preparations for the announced politi-
cal speaking were at once dropped by
universal consent. The Congressional
candidate Immediately cancelled not
only his appointment at Jackson, but
also his engagement to speak at Sutter
Creek the following Monday. Political
Jubilatlon was out OF the question in
the presence OF this awful calamity.
Bob Adams as he was Familiarity known
was stalwart republican, and at the
very moment of his untimely death
was looking forward with pleasure to
the expected big party meeting for
that evening.
A burn across the palm of the hand
in which he held the loose wire. was
the only outward mark of the electric
current. An examination of the wire
that caused his death, revealed the
fact that the cloth wrapping was
scorched at the point where the insula-
tion was found defective; also a small