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Rev. William Adam

Rev. William Adam

A copy of the following unidentified newspaper article was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:

    Rev. Adam Retains Pastorate of Local Church

    The Rev. William Adam, pastor of Trinity Lutheran church, had declined the call extended him by Trinity Lutheran church, Westville, and St. Paul Lutheran church, of Otis, Ind., and will continue to serve the local Lutheran church. Pastor Adam came to Lowell in the summer of 1949, and has worked with the members of his parish in building up its membership, as well as in the construction of a new church, parish hall, and parsonage. He and his family are happy to remain in the Lowell community, to which they have become endeared through the years.

A copy of the following newspaper article, hand-identified as being from the Dec. 13, 1956, Tribune, was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:

    Opal Collins Sentence Commuted to Life

    Gov. George N. Craig, Monday commuted the death sentence of Opal Collins to life imprisonment.

    The 26-year-old Hammond murderess was convicted and sentence to die in the electric chair February 15. She would have been the first woman in Indiana to pay the supreme penalty. Mrs. Collins shot and killed her husband, mother-in-law, and two young sisters-in-law in the Collins home, 3714 176th Ave., last May 26. It was for the murder of her youngest victim, Mary Sue Collins, 1, that she was tried and convicted.

    While Mrs. Collins was confined to the Lake County jail, she had as her spiritual counselor, Rev. William Adam of Lowell. She came to realize the sacredness of human life, is repentant for her sins, and found happiness thru Christian light. When she was baptized she said, "This is the happiest day of my life."


Last updated on June 13, 2006.

Go to Rev. William Adam, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.
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