Sam Adams (explorer) facts for kids

Sam Adams (born in 1828, died in 1915) was an early explorer. He called himself "Captain." Sam Adams explored the American West. He said he explored the Colorado River for many years. He made many claims that were not proven true. He tried to get $20,000 from the government. But he was never paid. Later, he went back to Pennsylvania. He worked there as a lawyer.

Early Life and Education

Samuel Adams was born on October 20, 1828. His hometown was Beaver, Pennsylvania. His mother was Cynthia Darragh. Her great-grandfather was John Hart. John Hart signed the Declaration of Independence. Sam's father was Dr. Milo Adams.

Sam Adams went to school at the old academy in Beaver, Pennsylvania. He studied law there. In 1853, he became a lawyer in Pennsylvania. He worked as a lawyer for many years. He practiced law in Des Moines, Iowa.

Exploring the Colorado River

In 1864, Sam Adams led a shipping company. It was called Union Line. He wanted to use steamships to move goods along the Colorado River. But his business did not work out.

From 1864 to 1869, Adams explored the Colorado River. He also explored its smaller rivers. He wrote a report about his travels. He gave this report to the War Department in 1869. He asked for $20,000 to cover his costs.

Adams made some big claims. He said he found a place called "Paradise Valley." He claimed it had grain fields seven feet tall. He also said he found gold, copper, lead, and silver. Adams stated the Colorado River was easy to travel by boat. He said it was navigable for 600 miles from its mouth.

Around the same time, John Wesley Powell explored the river too. Powell did a much bigger survey. When asked about Adams' report, Powell found many mistakes. For example, Adams claimed he was first to survey an area. But Joseph C. Ives had already surveyed it in 1857.

Adams tried for over ten years to convince people. He wanted them to believe the Colorado River area was full of minerals. He thought it had lots of gold and silver. But he was not successful. In 1878, Senator Francis Cockrell said no. He rejected a plan to pay Adams for his work.

Adams' survey was not accurate. It was not seen as scientific. But it was still a known event in exploring the West. A writer named Wallace Stegner wrote about Powell. He said Adams' ideas showed something important. Many people wanted to believe in a "West that did not exist." They ignored facts and logic.

A Journey to the Pacific?

In 1869, Adams told people in Breckenridge, Colorado. He believed he found a way from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. He thought he could use the Colorado River. He arranged for boats to be built. A team of eleven men joined him for the trip.

They started on the Blue River. This river flows into the Colorado River. But they did not reach the Colorado River. Their boats broke apart. The men left Adams.

Later Years

At the end of his life, Sam Adams moved back home. He practiced law in his hometown. He passed away on May 15, 1915. He died in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest lawyer in Pennsylvania at that time.