Samuel Hunter Adams was born in 1878 near Dundas, Ontario. He moved to Manitoba in 1897 where he taught school until entering Manitoba College in 1902. He moved to Calgary upon his graduation in 1906.
Political Career
Adams would be approached by former Aldermen Tappy Frost and Harold Riley to enter civic politics. Adams would contest and win the 1915 Calgary municipal election for Aldermen on Calgary City Council, and would go to serve five consecutive terms from January 3, 1916 until his resignation on December 31, 1920. As Alderman, Adams would have a significant role in the development of the Centre Street Bridge, which would replace the MacArthur Bridge which was destroyed in the 1915 Calgary flood. Adams would witness the bridge wash away during the flood with Calgary Commissioner for Public Works Jim Garden, who would be standing on the bridge as it washed away. The original design as proposed was a high-level steel bridge, but Adams felt the design would not provide the necessary capacity for the growing city. Adams input would be incorporated into the final design, and the bridge was completed in December 1916. Adams would also champion the construction of the Louise Bridge over the Bow River, however unlike his previous efforts with the Centre Street Bridge, Adams sought a smaller design. In 1917 Adams with the help of City Solicitor, and future Chief Justice of the Trial Division of the Supreme Court of Alberta Clinton J. Ford would work together successfully to bring single transferable vote to Calgary's municipal elections. Adams would show preliminary interest in contesting the position of Mayor in the 1918 Calgary municipal election, however he would drop out after learning Michael Copps Costello, a local doctor and Protestant would also run, fearing he would split the Protestant vote with Costello.
Adams would run for Mayor of Calgary in the 1920 Calgary municipal election, against his only challenger, and fellow alderman Isaac G. Ruttle. Adams and Ruttle were both friends and agreed to spend only $100 during the election, $50 for advertisements in the Calgary Herald and $50 for advertisements in the Albertan. During the campaign both candidates would travel together as Adams did not have a car, and alternated who would speak first at each event. Eventually both candidates broke the agreement to spend only $100 with Ruttle placing advertisements between films in one of the City's theaters, and Adams countered with a $25 advertisement in the Market Examiner. Adams won the election held on December 15, 1920 with approximately 60% of the vote and assumed the role of Calgary's 21st Mayor on January 3, 1920. Adams would be acclaimed in the 1921 Calgary municipal election, and would decide not to contest the 1922 election due to health reasons. As Mayor, Adams' biggest challenge was handling Calgary's extensive post-War unemployment, the rise of labour unions and unrest. During this time there was considerable animosity throughout the city which culminated in threats to elected officials and a bomb threat on Calgary City Hall in March 1922. This culminated in the morning ofMarch 28, 1922 with a prank orchestrated by Calgary Herald writer Chief Buffalo Child Long Lance, where he threw a fake bomb into an active meeting attended by Adams, other Aldermen and city employees. Everyone in attendance rushed out of the meeting, and Commissioner Smith jumped through the closed window 12 feet above the ground. Long Lance, a popular figure in Calgary would be fired by the Calgary Herald after the incident and leave the city afterwards. Adams would be instrumental in the approval and construction of Imperial Oil's Lynnview Ridge refinery in Calgary, a CA$2.5 million project. The refinery would operate until the 1970s, after-which a residential neighbourhood would be constructed on the grounds. On May 18, 1922 Adams would give the first radio broadcast in Calgary on C.H.C.B. station at Crescent Heights. The program began with the Harry Lauder recording of Roamin' in the Gloamin', and after some more music and sports, Adams would give a speech to Calgarians.
Later Life
Samuel Hunter Adams retired from municipal politics in 1923. He practiced law in Calgary with the firm Adams, Fitch and Arnold until his retirement in 1955, when he moved to Saltspring Island in British Columbia.
He died on December 10, 1975 and was buried at Union Cemetery in Calgary on December 15, 1975.
