Albert P. Adams

Lost His Life IN THE MIAMI FLOOD.

Albert Adams, a Harveysburg Colored Man, Drowned near Waynesville

Albert Adams, a colored man who resided with his family at Harveysburg was swept down to death Saturday afternoon in the turbulent waters of the Little Miami river near Waynesville. Adams, together with his son Charles and another colored citizen of Harveysburg, Charley Curtis, went over to Corwin to attend the Kilbon sale. While there the son, who is said to have been drinking, became involved in a quarrel and to prevent further trouble or perhaps bloodshed, his father and Curtis thought to take him to his home over in Waynesville. Although the water was running swiftly over the road on Corwin Avenue they crossed it safely. Upon returning the men were warned against attempting to cross but decided to make the attempt. Crossing the race bridge between Waynesville and Lebanon, they entered the water which had spread over both the road and adjoining fields. Entering a current the wagon was washed off the road and against a tree at the roadside. This frightened one of the horses and Adams jumped out to catch it by the bridle. The current was swift; he fell and was washed away. Curtis was driven frantic by seeing his companion swept away by the waters and swung from the wagon into a tree. Here he was rescued later by parties in a boat.

Search was instituted for Adams but he could not be found then. However, on Sunday morning the body was found not far from where it went down. Coroner Carey viewed the remains Sunday afternoon, his verdict being accidental drowning.

Adams was sixty years of age and resided in Harveysburg. Wife and eight children survive.

Source: The Western Star 31 Mar 1904 [copy obtained from obituary collection at the Warren County Genealogical Society]
Note: Albert P. Adams is a Civil War Veteran who is buried in an unmarked grave in Miami Cemetery