Wade - Adolphus - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

The following taken from the Attica Ledger’s account of the drowning of A. D. Wade:

From his home he had gone in his usual jolly mood, to take a swim in the river—an exercise he greatly enjoyed and in which he was very proficient. With him were Will Limbrick, Roy Burlington, M. Ettlinger and Art Sattely. The place chosen was under the Wabash River Bridge on the west side of the river. After enjoying the sport for about ten minutes, Mr. Wade went into the deep water, calling a cheery “good evening” to Lem Seward, who as fishing from the bank 30 or 40 feet away. Then the swimmer, holding his hands over his head, went beneath the water, his evident intention being to see if he could reach bottom. Boys standing on the bridge saw the top of his head come almost to the surface of the water and then he disappeared to rise no more. Two of the other swimmers hastened to the spot and commenced diving for him, but without success. Others got a boat and pole and finally a messenger went for Case Arnold, who got there about half an hour after Mr. Wade had been out of sight. Quickly divesting himself of his clothing, Case swam out to the deep hole and let himself down to the bottom, where, on hands and knees, he walked around until he spied the body. It was lying on its side in a cramped position, the arms being folded across the stomach and the face toward the north. The diver caught it by the arm and succeeded in getting it to the surface and on shore without aid. The dive was a remarkable one, as the water is thirty three feet deep by actual measurement and at the bottom is as cold as ice, and so long was Case under that those standing on the bank began to fear that he, also, was drowned. Mr. Wade had evidently gotten into the cold water at the bottom of this hole and was seized with cramps so severe that he was unable to reach the surface.

Alolphus D. Wade was born in Clinton County and was the second son of Dr. and Mrs. T. H. Wade. The family moving to Brown’s Valley, Montgomery County, he there entered school. He then went to Union Township, where he remained two years teaching, alternating at Ladoga and Smartsburg. The following winter he graduated at the Ladoga Normal School. He then returned to Smartsburg, where he remained until called to Attica to fill out the unexpired year of 1891 in room No. 7 in the public schools. This latter position he filled with eminent satisfaction, so that he was retained for the year recently closed. Since June 5th, he and his friend, W. F. Mullinix, had been successfully conducting a summer school. - thanks to "S" for both of these :)  You rock!!

Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Tuesday, 20 June 1893

Yesterday at Attica, A. D. Wade, a well known school teacher, was drowned while bathing in the Wabash River. Mr. Wade resided in this county and taught school until about two years ago. He was prominent in the work of the institute and was quite a fine singer, usually leading in the music at the devotional exercises. Mr. Wade was engaged to be married to a daughter of Dr. Wilson, of Ladoga.