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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (July 5, 1903)
Poor Children on a Frolic Snap Shots by a Staff Photographer at a Picnic I AiAvhL -J I IL j SOME OK TUB iTAJirTClPANTS. "A FAMILT GROUP. s ... , J&Sil'i t- . -f.jKHL. .."3 - .; -JL y j Jl CUi Ojf COLD WATER TO A LITTLE CHILD.- READY FOIt RATIONS. 1 - - ...-.Jl jiVi!.., , J5$-?-l 4r.--st LINED LP FOR A FOOT RACE, ON THE TEETER HOARD. The Last of the Quincy Adamses T- 1IIE doath of Miss Elisabeth Coombs Adams of Quincy at h home, 79 Elm street, lust week, jjLV' removes one of the direct lines of descent from President John Aiams, none of that branch of the Adams family being: now alive. The death In 1898 of her brother, Isaac Hull Adams, with whom she had lived for nearly fony years, waa a severe blow to tho vener able lady, and from that time she Ixgan to show signs of failing health. Ilia death affected her to such a degree that she could not be induced to come down the front stairs of her home because the door of her brother's room opened on to the Btalrway. Since her brother's death Miss Adams has had a faithful companion in her housekeeper, a Mrs. Harrington, who was with her when she passed away. About the 1st of February, a short time before her SGth birthday, relates tho liustnn Herald, Miss Adams was obliged to take to her bed. Her memory failed her and it was only at rare Intervals that she recog nized those around her. Miss Adams' life was not only a long, but in many respects an eventful one, and around it many historic associations gather. She was born at the old John Quincy Adams homestead on Franklin etreet. In the same room in which John Quincy Adams first saw the light of day. Bhe U said to have lived there until the latter part of October, 1818, when her father removed to the old Adams liomestcad ou Adiuns street, now occupied by H rooks Adams. About that time Mrs. Abigail (Smith) Adams died and President Adams requested that his son, Thomas lioylston Adams, and family should make their home with him. The family consisted of four sons and two daughters. Miss Adams is said to have been a great favorite with her grandfather and his con stant companion and comfort after his beloved wife had passed away. While she lived In her grandfather's home .she met many distinguished persons, Including President Thomas Jefferson und General Lafayette. Miss Adams was born February 9. IM18. She was one of a family of six children, four boys and two girls. Iler fattier was at ono time chief justice of the state su preme cmrt. Of her brothers, Thomas fJoylston Adams was a lieutenant In the Second artillery and died at Fort Dade, Fla., In 137. John Quincy Adams was an oflln-r In the navy and was lost with his whip, AM. .my, in lsr.l. Joseph Harroil Adams accompanied Com modore Perry In his expedition to China and Japan on Powhatt;.!1. ami died at Macao, Chii.i, in 1S52. Isaac Hull Adams died in Wjii. Much of Miss Adams' ifif was passed In Washington. She was personally acquainted With nearly every president from her grand father, John Adains, to Pr-sideiit McKiulcy, in whose administration Mie look a deeu in terest. Sho met Mr. and Mrs. McKlnley at Washington before th former became president, us they were at tho same hotel. Thomas, the father of Miss Adams, was the third sou of president John Adams, who lived to be a nundsorne, white-haired old gentleman. Ho married ono of the belles of Newbury port, a Miss Ilarrod, und lived for many years in the little red house on tho ISralntree road, where his father waa born. Ife was kindly In disposition and courtly in manners. Dnrir.g the absence of his father at Washington he remained at tho old homestead, removing upon his father's return on account of the lack of room. He was a great favorite of his mother, who Sla nt at the horn.- in Quincy all of the time that she could wl lie her hushand was In Washington. There Is still In existence a miniature of Thomas Adains that was worn by his toother as a clasp for a black velvet bracelet. Most of the lime during the administra tion of her unclo, President John Quincy Adams, Miss Adams spent la Washington, where she mingled much in society. He. accounts of these days are, or rather were, very Inteiesticf. The presi dent was fond of young people and wanted them continually around him. Sii" often spoke of her uncle as far different from llu popular Idea formed of IiImi. Hi w is never cold or haughty. He w,'S vry bxid of astronomy ami had one of 1 1: finest of -lasses, which they were Invited to look through every lino night, whllo to fcavu to thi-m K'asuui in a..U o.-..i.. After the death of President Adams, July 4, ISL'6, Miss Adams' father, Thomas ItoyU 8 too Adams, continued ' reside at tha Adams ho.i.estead until Octol.er, 1S2S, when be purchased tho house on Elm street, in Which Miss Adams died. The house was known as the Rugglea house. The structure y,as lvo stores in height. Tha rear of tt oo.i.w; was origi nally a separate building. It was erected In IS 11 by George Uugejes. In 17St the home passed Into other hands and the new owner built an addition In front. . The old Thomas Iioylstun Adams home stead, as the place ha:i since been known, has become one of Qulucy's landmarks. The house Is old-fahioned and very home like. The rooms In tho front are large ami high studded, while those In tho re ir, or original Kugglcs hous, are large, but very low studded, so a tall man can scarcely walk upright. There uis many choice relics in tile house. In the sitting room are a ('hippendalo t ihlp, rush bottom chair, two mirrors and three pictures, wliieh were owned by Pres ident Adams. There are also hung on the walls old styh: pictures of Washington, John Adams ami William Henry 1 i'lirlson. There Is enclosed In u (mme a lock of hair of Washington. T;iere Is a chair owned by President Adams in a room in the fecund story, In. which he spent .many leisure hours, especially la tho lajl years of hi !!'.