Adam Hoffman – Murdered For His Money.

Yesterday, the History Junkie brought you the story of Adam Hoffman and the Gold Brick Scam of 1890.  Now let’s fast forward seven years later to October 1897.

If you remember, Adam Hoffman was a wealthy local, Albion, Indiana, merchant.  He also owned several farms on which he rented tenant housing.  One such renter was Cal Holey, who had a thirteen-year-old son named Charles.  Because Hoffman was elderly, age 81, Charles spent most nights with him, helping out with chores.

October 15, 1897 was one such night.  The boy recalls that at sometime around midnight, he was awakened by a commotion from the adjoining room in which Hoffman stayed.  Intruders soon also found Charles and gagged him, then bound him to his bed frame, with the warning of be silent and still … or else.  The robbers ransacked the house for hours, but failed to find the valuables they sought.  They returned to Hoffman.

He (Charles Holey) heard them threatening to kill the old gentleman unless he told them where his money was hidden.  He remembers distinctly of having heard one of them say: “Now, Adam will you tell?”  After they had gone, the boy set to work to unbind himself, and after much work succeeded.  He then went to the old gentleman’s room and found him cold in death.  His hands firmly bound together and tied to his leg.  His feet were likewise bound together and then fastened to the framework at the foot of the bed.  About daylight, the young man went to a neighbor’s house about twenty or thirty rods away and told the story. (Kendallville Standard, 10/22/1897)

Adam Hoffman - "MURDERED ... FOR HIS MONEY"

The news spread quickly throughout the vicinity, county and area.  A large crowd of the neighbors and citizens from other localities were at the place at an early hour and the feeling was of one accord—that if the dastardly villains were caught they would be dealt with in a very severe manner without letting the law take its course. (Noble County Democrat, 10/21/1897)

Mr. Myers from Huntertown and Mr. Smith from Tiffin, Ohio, both known for their bloodhounds, were summoned.  But by then, the gathering crowd had compromised the crime scene.

Hoffman’s funeral was held at his brother, John’s house in Jefferson Township.  His remains were laid to rest in Albion’s Rose Hill Cemetery.  People came many miles to attend the funeral and it was doubtless the largest crowd that the history of Noble County ever recorded at a funeral service. (Noble County Democrat, 10/21/1897)

It is believed the murderers escaped with only a $1.50.  Fittingly, Adam Hoffman’s headstone reads, “MURDERED AT HIS HOME FOR HIS MONEY.”  More than a century later, his murder remains unsolved.  Anyone for opening a cold case … very cold?

3 Responses to “Adam Hoffman – Murdered For His Money”

  1. Robert Wolfe says:

    Adam Hoffman’s parents were from Pennsylvania. They lived in Richland County, Ohio, before some of them moved to the Noble County, Indiana. Adam’s sister, Julia Hoffman Hosler, was my ancestor. I found Adam Hoffman while tracking down information about Julia Hosler, who was named in Adam’s will, along with other siblings. Thanks for these notes. I had no idea there was mystery behind Adam’s death. My website has quite a bit of information about this family; click on the “Notes” links to see what I have found out about this family.

    • Bob Hoffman says:

      Hi Bob, I am a descendant of the Hoffmans also. John Hoffman, brother of Adam Hoffman at whose home Adam’s funeral was held, was my great-grandfather. I was born in Noble Co. IN. I am very much interested in learning about the ancestors of Adam Hoffman b. abt. 1724 in York Co. PA who was the great grandfather of Adam Hoffman murdered in Noble Co.

  2. mikemccoy says:

    Hi Bob,

    Great to hear from you. I too am descended from the Hosler line.

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