Edward Adams

Background

Edward J. "Eddie" Adams was born in 1887 on a farm in Hutchinson, Kansas as W.J. Wallace. His father died when he was young, and his mother remarried, which contributed to his psychological problems. Adams had a strong disdain for his stepfather and for physical labor. He learned the barber trade and moved to Wichita, Kansas in the early 1900s. There, he met John Callahan and became involved in bootlegging, petty robberies, and car theft. Adams was charismatic and attracted a criminal entourage and loose ladies. His wife left him due to his illegal activities and infidelities. He formed his own gang and began committing bank and train robberies throughout Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa, earning a reputation as a prominent bandit in the Midwest by the early days of Prohibition.

The offence

In 1920, Adams formed a partnership with outlaw brothers Ray and Walter Majors through Callahan. On September 5, they attempted a daylight robbery against a Kansas City gambling den owned by Harry Trusdell. A shootout occurred, resulting in the death of gambler Frank Gardner and the gang's capture. Adams was identified as the gunman and sentenced to life imprisonment in February 1921. The Major brothers received lesser sentences of five years after pleading guilty to robbery; both died in prison. Dudley Major, involved in the robbery, escaped but was later arrested and served time.

Investigation

While being transported to Missouri State Prison, Adams escaped custody by jumping off the train and joined Julius Finney in robbing a bank and general store in Cullison, Kansas, on February 11, 1921. He was captured near Garden Plain six days later after wrecking a stolen car. He was convicted of bank robbery and sentenced to 10 to 30 years at Kansas State Prison in Lansing, in addition to his life sentence for murder.

Arrest

On August 13, Adams sabotaged the prison power plant and scaled the walls of Lansing's prison with inmates Frank Foster, George Weisberger, and D.C. Brown. Fintelman, a World War I veteran, was the getaway driver. Brown was recaptured days later; the others eluded capture and formed the Adams Gang. The gang robbed banks in Rose Hill and Haysville, Kansas, and stole silver from a bank in Osceola, Iowa. They also robbed stores in Muscotah, Kansas, and abducted and robbed motorcycle officers outside Wichita, setting their motorcycles on fire.

The offence (continued)

On November 5, 1921, Adams shot and killed Patrolman A.L. Young in Wichita, allegedly over a mutual love interest. The gang robbed a Santa Fe express train near Ottawa, Kansas, stealing $35,000. Later, Adams and others were involved in a shootout with police after a police officer was shot and killed during a chase. Adams shot and killed farmer George Oldham when he resisted an attempted vehicle theft.

The offence (continued)

On November 22, 1921, Adams was involved in a fatal shootout with police. He shot and wounded detective Charles Hoffman and officer Charles Bowman. D.C. Stuckey shot Adams three times, killing him. Adams' body was displayed publicly, viewed by over 9,000 people.

Aftermath

Eighteen people were arrested as accomplices and hangers-on. Four were sent to Kansas Penitentiary, including Frank Foster for life. Adams, aged 34, was attributed with seven murders, including three Wichita policemen, and wounded at least a dozen others during his 14-month crime spree.

Other details

Adams was involved in bank and train robberies, murder, and multiple shootouts with police. His criminal activities spanned Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa.