James Adams, Mystery Man:
We know precious little about James Adams. What we do know is thanks to his being elected to represent Eureka in the Nevada Assembly for the 1881 session. The newspaper reported on his death that he was called 'Cap' and proved himself a first class legislative member. Other than that we know he was born c1846 in Ireland and was a miner.
James Adams, Mine Supervisor:
Mining began on a small scale in the mid to late 1860's in Eureka, with the difficult-to-process ore being shipped to Austin. Later, however, smelters began to be constructed locally, allowing ore to be processed without shipping. Towards the end of 1869, about 100 people lived in the area, with most mining activity taking place around Adams Hill, immediately west of the present town site.
An 1878 mining journal report stated that the Silver Lick Mine, Captain James Adams superintendent, is a good paying property. A large quantity of ore had been taken out during the summer, and developments insure a brilliant future for this claim. (Notice the Adams name!).
An 1881 mining journal report stated that of the Adams Hill group, the Williamsburg mine owned by Rickard is one of the best mines in that vicinity. A deposit of galena ore has been opened during the summer and shipment of ore to the reduction works is constant. The Silver Lick, Captain James Adams manager, may be in the same category as the above with rich ore found in large masses.
We know precious little about James Adams. What we do know is thanks to his being elected to represent Eureka in the Nevada Assembly for the 1881 session. The newspaper reported on his death that he was called 'Cap' and proved himself a first class legislative member. Other than that we know he was born c1846 in Ireland and was a miner.
James Adams, Mine Supervisor:
Mining began on a small scale in the mid to late 1860's in Eureka, with the difficult-to-process ore being shipped to Austin. Later, however, smelters began to be constructed locally, allowing ore to be processed without shipping. Towards the end of 1869, about 100 people lived in the area, with most mining activity taking place around Adams Hill, immediately west of the present town site.
An 1878 mining journal report stated that the Silver Lick Mine, Captain James Adams superintendent, is a good paying property. A large quantity of ore had been taken out during the summer, and developments insure a brilliant future for this claim. (Notice the Adams name!).
An 1881 mining journal report stated that of the Adams Hill group, the Williamsburg mine owned by Rickard is one of the best mines in that vicinity. A deposit of galena ore has been opened during the summer and shipment of ore to the reduction works is constant. The Silver Lick, Captain James Adams manager, may be in the same category as the above with rich ore found in large masses.
James Adams Death:
On March 14, 1881 James Adams was in San Francisco. There he met two other people connected to the Silver Lick Mine (Adolph Schander and James Oliver) at Callan & Barry's Saloon on the corner of Montgomery and Merchant streets in San Francisco. Oliver and Schander wanted Adams to step away from the company. They were representing the stock holders who felt Adams was spending too much time away from the mine with his duties as a Nevada state legislator. The meeting started friendly enough, but eventually turned ugly. Adams (according to Schander) struck Schander and was reaching for a gun when Schander pulled out his gun and shot twice. The shot to Adam's abdomen proved fatal! In an anti-mortem statement Adams told the coroner that he was the superintendent of the mine and stock holders were attempting to strip this job from him while he was away in Carson City. Adams claimed he eventually started to move away from Schander when Schander began shooting. Adams never attempted to draw his derringer till after the third shot. James Adams, Coroner's Inquest and Final Verdict: On March 22, 1881 a coroner's inquest was held. Dr. Clarke, police surgeon: James Adams was shot twice. Once in the wrist and once in the abdomen. John Adams, brother: He had never known his brother to have issues with Schander or Olivier. He had heard his brother speak of Oliver as a partner. He had never known his brother to be a drinking man or to carry a gun. Moses Howell, cigar stand owner near the saloon: Adams & Schander spent an hour by the cigar stand talking about mining stocks. Schander kept saying, "You know I have always been your friend." Adams repeated over and over, "I'll get even with you." This seems to be about something Schander had said about Adams. Schander reminded Adams that it was he who bought Adams his first shares. Adams denied it, but eventually conceded that Schander had purchased a 100 shares for him. Schander tried to break free and get back to work, but Adams insisted he come into the saloon for a drink. Howell said Adams appeared to be under the influence of alcohol during the day. Schander did not! At 5:10 they heard shooting and Schander and Callan, saloon co-owner, came out of the saloon. Callan held a pistol. A police officer arrived shortly and told Schander to follow him into the saloon. Schander stopped at the door and looked genuinely afraid as Adams had a pistol. James Barry, saloon proprietor: Adams, Oliver and Schander were in the bar drinking beers about two o'clock. They left but came back about an hour later. Barry was behind the bar. He heard a shot and came around the counter to see the three near each other with smoke about them. Schander was facing Adams and partially lying on the floor. He escaped outside. Barry took the pistol from Adams and put it behind the counter. He then heard more shots and Adams told Barry he was shot shortly after Barry had taken his pistol. M. C. Batemen, patron: I heard three shots. The first did not even register as a shot the sound was so faint [as from a derringer?]. The next two registered as shots from a pistol. |
Thomas Callan, saloon proprietor: I heard shots and sprang to the scene. I wrestled the man holding the gun to the floor and took his pistol which I gave to the police. The other man started approaching us with a gun and I let the first (who would be Schander) escape to the street.
Charles Johnson, witness: I saw Oliver coming away from the crowd and he seemed quite excited. He said that he knew nothing about the shooting.
Charles Nash, special police officer: I brought Schander before the [soon-to-be] deceased and he said that man did not shoot him. He was too big a coward. He then brought Oliver forth and Adams said that is the man who shot him. [this may show that Adams did not have his faculties as it is clear the Schander did the shooting. OR perhaps the newspaper just mixed the two names up.]
Hartley, police officer: He ran to the scene as soon as he heard the shots. He saw a man slip and fall as he came out of the saloon. He was being escorted by another. When he slipped, the other, which turned out to be the saloon proprietor Callan, grabbed his gun. Hartley chased the suspect down the street and soon caught up with Schander. When asked if he was the shooter, Schander said yes! He took Oliver to face Adams. Adams said he was the man who held me while the other shot me.
Thomas Oliver, witness: (Oliver seems to have given the best information.) He recalled the conversation between Schander and Adams. It was about a law suit. Adams was adamant he would fight any lawsuit forever. Schander reminded him he had been in many lawsuits and there was no winning. Schander wanted the books turned over to him. He said the stockholders refused to pay a miner superintendent's pay when there were only three men working. The conversation continued and Schander made it clear that the company did not want Adams working there anymore. Schander reminded Adams that it was he who gave him the position and could not support him anymore.
Adams had enough and struck Schander on the head. Schander reeled back and Adams drew his revolver.
The inquest found Oliver exonerated and Schander would be questioned by police court the next morning. Schander was charged with murder and his trial began on April 1st. On the second, Judge Rix said he did not think the evidence was strong enough to convict Schander of murder, but that he should be tried for manslaughter. Schander pleaded not guilty to this charge. I could never find the final verdict!
Charles Johnson, witness: I saw Oliver coming away from the crowd and he seemed quite excited. He said that he knew nothing about the shooting.
Charles Nash, special police officer: I brought Schander before the [soon-to-be] deceased and he said that man did not shoot him. He was too big a coward. He then brought Oliver forth and Adams said that is the man who shot him. [this may show that Adams did not have his faculties as it is clear the Schander did the shooting. OR perhaps the newspaper just mixed the two names up.]
Hartley, police officer: He ran to the scene as soon as he heard the shots. He saw a man slip and fall as he came out of the saloon. He was being escorted by another. When he slipped, the other, which turned out to be the saloon proprietor Callan, grabbed his gun. Hartley chased the suspect down the street and soon caught up with Schander. When asked if he was the shooter, Schander said yes! He took Oliver to face Adams. Adams said he was the man who held me while the other shot me.
Thomas Oliver, witness: (Oliver seems to have given the best information.) He recalled the conversation between Schander and Adams. It was about a law suit. Adams was adamant he would fight any lawsuit forever. Schander reminded him he had been in many lawsuits and there was no winning. Schander wanted the books turned over to him. He said the stockholders refused to pay a miner superintendent's pay when there were only three men working. The conversation continued and Schander made it clear that the company did not want Adams working there anymore. Schander reminded Adams that it was he who gave him the position and could not support him anymore.
Adams had enough and struck Schander on the head. Schander reeled back and Adams drew his revolver.
The inquest found Oliver exonerated and Schander would be questioned by police court the next morning. Schander was charged with murder and his trial began on April 1st. On the second, Judge Rix said he did not think the evidence was strong enough to convict Schander of murder, but that he should be tried for manslaughter. Schander pleaded not guilty to this charge. I could never find the final verdict!
The Check:
Paxton & Co. Bankers, Eureka, Nevada, August 31, 1880. RN-G revenue imprint. Paxton double circle blue stamp. Signed by Adams and addressed to W. H. Remington. The 1880 census tells us the W. H. Remington operated a hardware store in Eureka. We can see by the ad that they also dealt in mining equipment.
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