Obituary for Jean Adoue published in the "Dallas Morning News" on June 21, 1924. Page nine.

"JEAN B. ADOUE DIES OF BULLET WOUND - DALLAS BANK PRESIDENT IS FOUND DEAD IN BATHROOM OF HIS RESIDENCE. - WAS IN ILL-HEALTH - Members of Family believe Fear of Becoming Invalid Cause of Death. - Jean Baptiste Adoue, 77 years old, pioneer Texas merchant, president of the National Bank of Commerce and forty-five years a resident of Dallas, shot himself through the head with a pistol in the bathroom of the family home, 2309 McKinney avenue, at 9 o'clock Friday morning. A verdict of "gunshot would suicide" was returned at the Coroner's inquest held by Justice of the Peace F. H. Alexander. Near the body a pistol with one exploded shell was found. The bullet had been fired into the head. Members of the family said they did not know there was a pistol on the place. In the house at the time were Mrs. Adoue and a grandchild, son of Hal B. Thomson. Mr. Thomson had left the house only a few minutes before that time. Ill health is believed by members of the family to be responsible for Mr. Adoue's death. He had a constant fear of becoming a invalid, his son said, a prospect that had discouraged him. He had often said he would rather die than become helpless. During the last three weeks his illness had become more serious as a result of an apoplectic stroke. The routine of the day was begun as usual Friday, it was said. Mr. Adoue's sight had recently been affected and after Mrs. Adoue had read the paper to him, Mr. Adoue went into an upstairs bathroom, closed and locked the door. The pitol shot was heard a few moments later. C.A. Keating, who resides across the street from the Adoue home, assisted in gaining entrance to the bathroom. - Born in France - Mr. Adoue was born in Aurignac, France, in 1846. His father was Jean Marie Adoue and his mother, before her marriage, was Paule Dorleac. Jean Baptiste Adoue came to the United States, landing at New Orleans, in 1861, accompanied by a younger brother, Jacques Adoue. An older brother, B. Adoue already was in this country and had sent for Jean and Jacques. The journey to this country was made by sailboat. The craft was a small one and nearly six months was required to make the trip. Mr. Adoue was in New Orleans during the Civil War and witnessed many of the riots and fights which took place in that city. Shortly after 1861 he removed to Bryan, Texas. At that time the Houston & Texas Central Railroad was being built north toward Dallas. He followed this line and when it was built into Bremond and established a general store and a private bank. He moved to Dallas forty-five years ago and opened a private bank at Elm and Poydras streets. The firm was known as Flippen, Adoue & Lobit. He operated under this partnership until 1892, when W. H. Flippen Sr. died. Immediately following this Mr. Adoue, T. W. Griffith Sr., C.A. Robertson, Frank E. Moore and others nationalized the private bank which a short time later was renamed the National Bank of Commerce. Mr. Adoue was president of this institution from the time of its organization until his death. Five years after coming to Dallas he was married to Miss Mary Simpson. In addition to these business activities he was vice president and a director of the Republic Insurance Company of Dallas, director of the State Fair of Texas, director of the Southwestern Life Insurance Company and until a few years ago a partner in the firm of Flippen-Adoue Investment Company. He was a 32 degree Mason, Shriner, member of the City Club and was treasurer and a director of the old Dallas Club, which was one of the first business men's clubs to be established in Dallas. The veteran banker and citizen's death affects practically the entire city of Dallas. His friends and associates are found in virtually every business and profession represented in the city. Mayor Louis Blaylock and officials at the city hall were deeply touched when the tragic news was brought them. "He was a practical philanthropist," Mayor Blaylock said. "He, no doubt, has assisted more young men in going through school and in getting started in business than any other man in Dallas." The banking business felt the shock more severly than any other, it was said, because Mr. Adoue was known as dean of the banking fraternity in Dallas. He was one of the oldest bankers in the city. "No man stood higher in the esimation of his associates and competitors in the banking busines," J.A. Pondrom, president of the Dallas Clearing House Association said. "he was the type of man whose obligation was no stronger than his spoken word. No banker ever had a higher conception of his duty to his depositors or a more profound responsibility as trustee or custodian of funds entrusted to him. It was from this that his characteristic conservatism sprung." His work in the building of Dallas has been unusual, said Charles Saville, general manager of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce, of which Mr. Adoue had been an active member for many years. "He was one of the builders," W.H. Stratton, secretary of the State Fair Association said. "From the beginning of the Fair Association he gave his moral and financial support to the fair, believing it to be one of the greatest institutions in the State and a good share of its successful growth many be attributed to his efforts. His advice was always listened to with death the fair has lost one of its strongest directors." R.E.L. Knight, who has been an associate of Mr. Adoue's for many years, expressed the regret that the city had lost one of its most valuable citizens. "If he had confidence in a man he would lend him assistance to the limit," he said, "and he rarely ever made a mistake in judging a man's character and intentions." "He is responsible for the success many a younger man has found in Dallas," H.C. Huvelle said. "I never knew a man readier to respond when response meant much to the man who called on him." - Receiver for French Colony - Mr. Adoue's various business connections in Texas during the last half century stand out as those of a builder, his associates say. During the last twenty-five years he had been treasurer of the State Fair of Texas, and it was due to his assistance that many of the large projects were carried through successfully. He also was active in the work of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce. About thirty-five years ago Mr. Adoue was appointed by the French Government to settle up the affairs of the old French colony in the vicinity of what is now West Dallas. He was receiver for this concern and only recently concluded adjustments in the case. He is survived by Mrs. Adoue, a son, J.B. Adoue Jr., and two daughters, Mrs. Hal B. Thomson and Mrs. Freeman Hall, all of Dallas. Bertrand Adoue, a son, was killed in France during the late war. Funeral arrangements are being held up pending the arrival of Mrs. Freeman Hall, who is in Chicago. She is expected to arrive Saturday night or Sunday."

Obituary for Jean Adoue published in the "Dallas Morning News" on June 21, 1924. Page nine.

"JEAN B. ADOUE DIES OF BULLET WOUND - DALLAS BANK PRESIDENT IS FOUND DEAD IN BATHROOM OF HIS RESIDENCE. - WAS IN ILL-HEALTH - Members of Family believe Fear of Becoming Invalid Cause of Death. - Jean Baptiste Adoue, 77 years old, pioneer Texas merchant, president of the National Bank of Commerce and forty-five years a resident of Dallas, shot himself through the head with a pistol in the bathroom of the family home, 2309 McKinney avenue, at 9 o'clock Friday morning. A verdict of "gunshot would suicide" was returned at the Coroner's inquest held by Justice of the Peace F. H. Alexander. Near the body a pistol with one exploded shell was found. The bullet had been fired into the head. Members of the family said they did not know there was a pistol on the place. In the house at the time were Mrs. Adoue and a grandchild, son of Hal B. Thomson. Mr. Thomson had left the house only a few minutes before that time. Ill health is believed by members of the family to be responsible for Mr. Adoue's death. He had a constant fear of becoming a invalid, his son said, a prospect that had discouraged him. He had often said he would rather die than become helpless. During the last three weeks his illness had become more serious as a result of an apoplectic stroke. The routine of the day was begun as usual Friday, it was said. Mr. Adoue's sight had recently been affected and after Mrs. Adoue had read the paper to him, Mr. Adoue went into an upstairs bathroom, closed and locked the door. The pitol shot was heard a few moments later. C.A. Keating, who resides across the street from the Adoue home, assisted in gaining entrance to the bathroom. - Born in France - Mr. Adoue was born in Aurignac, France, in 1846. His father was Jean Marie Adoue and his mother, before her marriage, was Paule Dorleac. Jean Baptiste Adoue came to the United States, landing at New Orleans, in 1861, accompanied by a younger brother, Jacques Adoue. An older brother, B. Adoue already was in this country and had sent for Jean and Jacques. The journey to this country was made by sailboat. The craft was a small one and nearly six months was required to make the trip. Mr. Adoue was in New Orleans during the Civil War and witnessed many of the riots and fights which took place in that city. Shortly after 1861 he removed to Bryan, Texas. At that time the Houston & Texas Central Railroad was being built north toward Dallas. He followed this line and when it was built into Bremond and established a general store and a private bank. He moved to Dallas forty-five years ago and opened a private bank at Elm and Poydras streets. The firm was known as Flippen, Adoue & Lobit. He operated under this partnership until 1892, when W. H. Flippen Sr. died. Immediately following this Mr. Adoue, T. W. Griffith Sr., C.A. Robertson, Frank E. Moore and others nationalized the private bank which a short time later was renamed the National Bank of Commerce. Mr. Adoue was president of this institution from the time of its organization until his death. Five years after coming to Dallas he was married to Miss Mary Simpson. In addition to these business activities he was vice president and a director of the Republic Insurance Company of Dallas, director of the State Fair of Texas, director of the Southwestern Life Insurance Company and until a few years ago a partner in the firm of Flippen-Adoue Investment Company. He was a 32 degree Mason, Shriner, member of the City Club and was treasurer and a director of the old Dallas Club, which was one of the first business men's clubs to be established in Dallas. The veteran banker and citizen's death affects practically the entire city of Dallas. His friends and associates are found in virtually every business and profession represented in the city. Mayor Louis Blaylock and officials at the city hall were deeply touched when the tragic news was brought them. "He was a practical philanthropist," Mayor Blaylock said. "He, no doubt, has assisted more young men in going through school and in getting started in business than any other man in Dallas." The banking business felt the shock more severly than any other, it was said, because Mr. Adoue was known as dean of the banking fraternity in Dallas. He was one of the oldest bankers in the city. "No man stood higher in the esimation of his associates and competitors in the banking busines," J.A. Pondrom, president of the Dallas Clearing House Association said. "he was the type of man whose obligation was no stronger than his spoken word. No banker ever had a higher conception of his duty to his depositors or a more profound responsibility as trustee or custodian of funds entrusted to him. It was from this that his characteristic conservatism sprung." His work in the building of Dallas has been unusual, said Charles Saville, general manager of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce, of which Mr. Adoue had been an active member for many years. "He was one of the builders," W.H. Stratton, secretary of the State Fair Association said. "From the beginning of the Fair Association he gave his moral and financial support to the fair, believing it to be one of the greatest institutions in the State and a good share of its successful growth many be attributed to his efforts. His advice was always listened to with death the fair has lost one of its strongest directors." R.E.L. Knight, who has been an associate of Mr. Adoue's for many years, expressed the regret that the city had lost one of its most valuable citizens. "If he had confidence in a man he would lend him assistance to the limit," he said, "and he rarely ever made a mistake in judging a man's character and intentions." "He is responsible for the success many a younger man has found in Dallas," H.C. Huvelle said. "I never knew a man readier to respond when response meant much to the man who called on him." - Receiver for French Colony - Mr. Adoue's various business connections in Texas during the last half century stand out as those of a builder, his associates say. During the last twenty-five years he had been treasurer of the State Fair of Texas, and it was due to his assistance that many of the large projects were carried through successfully. He also was active in the work of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce. About thirty-five years ago Mr. Adoue was appointed by the French Government to settle up the affairs of the old French colony in the vicinity of what is now West Dallas. He was receiver for this concern and only recently concluded adjustments in the case. He is survived by Mrs. Adoue, a son, J.B. Adoue Jr., and two daughters, Mrs. Hal B. Thomson and Mrs. Freeman Hall, all of Dallas. Bertrand Adoue, a son, was killed in France during the late war. Funeral arrangements are being held up pending the arrival of Mrs. Freeman Hall, who is in Chicago. She is expected to arrive Saturday night or Sunday."