Elam Adams 1889-1943

ADAMS, BITTNER, FRICKE

Posted By: C. Tucker (email)
Date: 4/19/2011 at 16:32:34

Times Republican
Marshalltown, IA [Monday 10-4-1943] p. 9

BARBER DIES IN CAR AFTER ROW AT CABIN CAMP

Heart Disease Believed Cause of Death --- Inquest May Be Held

Elam Adams, 54, Marshalltown barber who lived at 401 ½ South Center street, died of a heart attack at 2:40 a.m. Sunday in his car about one mile west of Marshalltown on Highway 30. He was taken to the Deaconess hospital by friends who were following his auto, but he was dead when the hospital was reached. Adams and his wife were returning from the Lincoln Logs cabin camp, located about five miles west of here, after an altercation between Adams and Earl Dowell, 105 May street, in which Adams was knocked down, according to reports to officers. CAR UNDER CONTROL Adams, who had been suffering from a bad heart for some time, according to County Coroner Ben Wells, suddenly slumped forward on the steering wheel and his wife managed to bring the car to a halt, it was said by police. Friends drove Adams to the Deaconess hospital and police followed the speeding car, aware that it was a hospital case. Mrs. Adams said that after the argument her husband appeared to be in normal condition. Dowell, it was alleged, denied striking Adams, and no charges had been filed Monday. An inquest will probably be held, Wells said. BORN AT LISCOMB Adams was born June 30, 1889, at Liscomb, a son of William and Amanda Bittner Adams. He lived in Liscomb until seven years ago when he moved to Marshalltown. He had followed the barber trade since 1910. Surviving are Mrs. Adams; one daughter, Mrs. Chris Fricke of State Center, and one son, Kenneth of Liscomb. Seven grandchildren also survive. He was a member of the Christian church of Liscomb, Royal Order of Moose No. 313 and the Barber's association of Marshalltown. FUNERAL TUESDAY Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Estel Funeral home in charge of Rev. P. G. Dennis. Burial will be in the Liscomb cemetery.

Times Republican
Marshalltown, IA [Monday 10-11-1943] p. 7

ADAM'S DEATH DUE TO NATURAL CAUSES; VERDICT AT INQUEST

Elam Adams, 54, came to his death at 2:30 a.m. Oct. 3 from natural causes, was the verdict reached by a jury at a coroner's inquest held Friday afternoon in municipal court. County Coroner Ben S. Wells conducted the inquest. The jury, Harvey Baltisberger, I. C. Boswell and W. E. Nicholson, heard testimony from nine witnesses to the effect that Adams, who lived at 401 1/2 South Center street, died on highway 30 of a heart attach Oct. 3 when he and Mrs. Adams were returning from the Lincoln Logs cabin camp located about five miles west of here after an alleged altercation with Earl Dowell, 105 May street. Witnesses testified that Dowell knocked Adams down. Adams had been suffering from heart trouble for some time, Dr. Wells testified, and the jury ruled that the altercation was not the immediate cause of the man's death. Witnesses included Grace Horsberg, Mr. and Mrs. Neal Castell, Mrs. Elam Adams, Earl Dowell, Mr. and Mrs. Anton Nelson, Jr., and Mr. and Mrs. Tim Bridgehord.