23 February 2009

Edward Alexander Adamson Got a Letter From Hell

Edward Alexander Adamson
March 30, 1874
Aug 25, 1944
"Loving Father, Devoted Husband,
Faithful Friend."

Mr. Adamson rests in Rose Hill Cemetery.

He was a son of Samuel Taylor Adamson and Mary Elizabeth Bright, also buried in Rose Hill. Edward married Sarah Beatrice Smith in 1896, and they had at least two children: Lynwood Taylor and Cecil F.

Edward and his parents are living in Clayton County, Georgia in 1880.

Edward was a railroad man, possibly brought in by his father. In 1897, he and his wife are listed in the Macon, GA 1897 City Directory. Edward was a carpenter at the Central [RR] Shops, and his residence was 2001 Third Street, just a few doors down from his parents.

In 1900, Edward and his wife are in Macon. Edward's occupation was machinist. Sarah's mother was listed with them.

In 1920, Edward and Sarah are again in Macon. Edward's occupation was Railroad Shop Foreman.

In 1930, Edward and Sarah can be found living on State Street East in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia. Edward's occupation was Steam Railroad Car-Builder.

Backtracking a bit, Edward A. Adamson received an interesting letter in 1914. Interesting enough to make the local paper:

26 April 1914
Macon Weekly Telegraph
LETTER FROM HELL TO EDWARD A. ADAMSON

Mysterious Document Smacks of Advertising and a Clever Conception.


May not believe it, but nevertheless, it is a fact that E. A. Adamson, car foreman of the Central shops, is in receipt of a letter direct from Hell, but it is a postoffice bearing the "euphonius" name, located somewhere in Norway, Sweden. While the document is in the form of advertising, it is clever, and the letter in full follows:

(Personal)
Hell, Norway, March 28, 1914
E. A. Adamson, Car Foreman
Central of Georgia Railway
Macon, Ga

Dear Sir:
I am in Hell.

And strangely enough, I like it.

You may not be able to find this place of the map, because it is a very small town in the northern part of Norway.

It isn't at all like the place you think it is. The temperature is delightful; the people here are kind and gracious; and there is no "brimstone" in the air.

And so here I am in Hell -- because they are building railroads up here in Norway and you know, it's my business to give railroad men a lift.

I make "good jacks." My jacks have speed and safety. That is how I lift railroad men out of their jack troubles.

Norton jacks hold the record for strength and reliability.

We have fifty-ton self-lowering jacks for loaded car and locomotive work, that will lift and last until this place Hell freezes over, and they they will keep on lifting, because there is nothing inside them to freeze.

You probably never knew another man who went to Hell of his own accord.

And so while I am in Hell, it is only for a short time. Soon I'll be back -- and if you would like a photo-postal of this remote place, just address me as below,
Yours truly,
Harry A. Norton,
286 Congress St., Boston, Mass
Do you have anything to add about Mr. Edward Alexander Adamson?



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