Wheeling Daily Intelligencer
July 29, 1864
Released. - On the 17th of March last Jno. Adams, a Union citizen of Wayne county, was seized by a party of rebels and taken from his home. Some time afterwards John N. Smith, William Stewart, and Erbin Walker, rebel citizens, were arrested as hostages for the return of Adams and have since been confined in the Atheneum prison of this city. A week or so ago the dead body of Adams was found about twelve miles from where he was taken perforated with twelve bullets. This fact having been made know to Governor Boreman the hostages were yesterday released from confinement.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: July 1864