Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1880-06-15
Bravo.
The Code in Virginia.

RICHMOND, VA, June IA duel was
fought IN the suburbs of this city early yes
terday morning, almost on tho identical
ground whcrc the fatal Mccarthy Mordeoai
duel occurred several years ago, the princi-
pals being MIR. William G. Elan, principal
editor of the Richmond Wig, aud ex Judge
Thomas Smith, of Fauquicr county, son of
the venerable ex- Gov. Smith.
Tho meeting had its origin in an editorial
article which appeared in the Wig last
Tuesday. headed Political Pirates" which
denounced, in uumeasured terms, the fund.
ers, or SO much of the Conservative party as
bad utterly rcpudiated tho old name under
which II had masqueraded and assumed a
new style, the Democratic party of virgins
ia" This denunciation embraced all the
leaders in 1860, and included the Governor
OWN. Smith) who was chief magistrate of
Virginia at the close Of tho war, who were
described as having "gra bbcd the remaining
sWag and sneaked away 10 humi!ating dis
guse and shameful trepidstion.'
The concluding sentence, in which ex-
Gov. William Smith is alluded to, caused
the challenge from his son, ex Judge Tbos
Smith, to Mr.. Elan. who had been ascer>
taincd to be the author of the Objectionable
paragraph. Tho latter promptly referred
the matter to friend, and a meeting was
arranged for Sunday morning. The scene
OF tho duel is located about one mile from
the suburbs of the city, on the banks of
Bloody Run creek. The hour was 6 o'clock
IN the morning, when nearly all Richmond
vas yet wrapped in s;umber. aud before the
early church bells had begun to toll the pco-
pie TO prayer. The usual distance (ten pa
css) was marked of by the seconds, and The
principals took their places. Elan fell at
tho first fire, his opponents ball taking
effect in the centre of the chin, splitting the
bone and fracturng the lett jawboue. The
wound is severe, but not considered danger
Gus. The weapons used were dueling pis,
tolls
Before the return of Mr.. Eam's second in
his search for physician his principal
tainted from exhaustion and loss of blood.
1t is stated that when Elan fell Smith came
forward and the occupants shook hands, and j,
Smith expressing the deepest regret that me-
cesslty for the unfortunate meeting had
arisen, Elan in reply said he felt Infinitely
relieved that he, instead of Smith, had been
wounded. The parties then separated in the
most amicable manner.
BERKELEY CouNTY.-From the Martins
burg Statesman we copy the following:
About ten minutes before o'clock last
Monday morning, boiler attached to an
engine in the First National Tannery at
Berkeley Springs, which is owned by De-
ford Il Co, of Baltimore, exploded, killing
two OF the employees, jesse Rice and George
Christy.
COL Henry B. Davenport of Jefferson
county, 1t seems, will be made candidate
for the State Senate against his will. No
wonder that gentleman so pleasantly Sit
uated as he ls, revolts against the mire Of
politics; but he is too good Democrat to
resist the peoples wishes"
On Monday evening last, the members of
Palestine Comnandery, Knights Templar of
Martinsburg, held their regular annual cleo
ton. After this was accomplished, and the
additional business of the evening was con-
cluded, the members present repaired to the
establishment of Sir knight Chas Matthaei,
where together with other invited guests.
they were the recipients of a most substan>
tlal testimonial of good fellowship. consisting
of an elegant banquet spread in their honor
by Sir Knights Matthae and Gustav Brown.
two recent accessions to the order of knights
hood.
- The Utica IN. Y.) Observer of the 11th
instant says, with reference to Gov. Sew
mour's position, that there is no truth in the
report that he has in any way changed or
modified his position. He says now, as he
has said all the time, that he is not, and can
not be, candidate, and that he could not
accept nomination. even if one were ten
dered to him. He deems it immoral for an v
one to enter upon any public office when his
health is unequal to the performance OF its
labors' He alone judge of this, and
cannot yield his decision to the opinions of
others.
r..,,o :; Crau-