Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-06-11
Duel in Richmond Editor of the ''Whig'
Wounded.

Uuel III hlcnm0nd-Ihe Editor or tne wing
Wounded.
The Richmond sWhig' of June 1st,
contained an article headed political
Pirates" of which the following is an ex-
tract
"The career Of these political bucca-
neers has been marked by every peffidy.
In 1850 they abandoned the National De-
mocracy IN its supreme hour OF TRIAL and
plunged Virginia into secession, reyolu-
ton, and War to promote their own selfish
purposes. Having thus precpltated us
IN: o u long and saiiguiil..ry stru!gl.., they
engrossed for the us Ives all the positions
of honor, profit, and trust, (and OF safety
as vel, ~ while the masses OF the deceived
people were sent to .,Ltighter AMI priya-
ton. Never for one moment during the
whole four years of strife did they forget
the SpOilS; never for on moment did their
partisanry yield to craftsmanship OF pa
triotsm; and the Confederacy Was LETT To
drift to ruin amidst their petty Jealousy OF
ADLER and better men who did not belong to
their faction, and their own chickering's aud
differences over the plumber which trey
reserved for themselves, while the people
starved and the army was unpaid and ua-
supplied. Even i'll the final collapse and
catastrophe these creatures were true to
the groyelling instincts ut their ma ures,
and the Confederacy, as d civil and pollti-
Cal exstance, persisted mi.erablY as It's
President, the Governor Of Virginia, and
the whole bomb-proof corps grabbed the
remaining swag and sneaked away i'll hui
initiating disguise and shameful trepid.t-
tion.'
The Dispatch" says:
To this article. or at least this portion
OF it, Judge Smith, son of Ex-Governor
VIM. Smith, who was the Executive of
Virginia at the time referred to. took ex-
ception. He wrote to Mr.. VIM. G. Elan,
editor of the ewing" demanding to kn''w
the author of the article, and il General
and Ex-Governor William Smith was in
tended to be referred to. Mr.. Elan re-
piled that he was the author OF the alticlr,
was responsible therefor, and had no ex-
PLANTATION to make.
Friday night Judge Smith, accompanied
by General William Fl. Payne, Captain
Alexander Payne. and NJ. Bernard P.
Green, came to this city. The party spent
the interval at the residence of Mr.. Will
liam L. Royal. A correspondence then
ensued at which meeting was agreed
upon.
1t was stipulated in the agreement that
no person should be on the ground save
the principals and their seconds. 1t was
reported that two surgeons we're near the
field, but only one was in waiting for the
issue of the conflict.
About 4 O'Clock Sunday morning, Mr..
Elan, accompanied by his second, Mr.. j.
B. Walters, of the stWhis'' staff, drove in
carriage to the place of meeting which
had been agreed upon. They were accom-
panied by surgeon on horseback. Colo
mel Smith, with his second, Mr.. Bernard F.
Greene, OF Fauquier, General William Fl.
Payne, and Cap. Alexander Payne, lefv
the residence Of Mr.. W. L. lsovall about
the same hour in buggi 5, anil arrived on
the ground short ly after Nj. Eiam and Mr.
Walters. After brief conference be-
tween the regular seconds. the ground for
the conflict WIS selected about three
fourths OF mile from the place of meet
ing. When within half a mile of the field
the surgeon halted to await any summons
that might be made for his services.
The carriage-lriver WITS then ordered,
upon penalty of death, to remain at the
same spot. The princip us ami seconds
then proceeded to the dueling ground.
Mr.. Walters requested that the distance
be not more than twelve PAGES, as his prin-
cipal was near-sigbted. and any greater
space would place him at disadvantage.
This request was readily acceded to. The
combatants then took their stand twelve
PAGES apart At the signal both fired ST.
simultaneously. Mr.. Elan was seen to stag
ger and wheel around to the left. AS he
was sinking to the ground Mr.. Walters
sprang forward and eased him to a reclin-
ing position. The other principal, who
was uninjured, and his friends came
promptly to the assistance of the wounded 4
man. sssg nv $40
Leaving him in their charge, Mr.. Walt
ers ran with all possible haste to summon
the surgeon. When he returned with that
party Mr.. Elan was found alone. The
other principal and his friends had, a. the
earnest solicitation of Mr.. Fam, fled from
the field and made their escape
1t is understood that Col Smith and
friends drove to the White House, from
which place they walked, to Lester Manor.
1t is also reported that from this point
they expected to leave for Baltimore on
freight boat. Last night in we!l-in formed
circles, however, it was not believed that
they had left the State.
Mr.. Elan WIS struck in the centre of
the chin, the ball splitting the bone and
embedding itself under the tongue. The
counterstroke broke the jaw-bone ON the
right side OF the face. The bail Knocked |
out four teeth and buried q portion of the
beard in the woui,d. The ball WAS ex-
tracted on the field. Mr. Elan fainted
several times before the arrival of the sur
geon. After receiving pIoper attention
Mr.. ELAN was carried to the residence of |
his friend Mr.. James B. Walters, No. SOC |
North Sixth street, and DR.. Hugh M. Tay-
Tor called in.
Yesterday the wounded man was visited
by a large number of friends and sympa-
thizers. Last night the wound was re-
ported to be a dangerous one, and Mr..
Elan has suffered great pain. He is una
able to take any food except through a
glass tube. Although his injuries are re-
ported dangerous and painful, no serious
results are anticipated, although some
time will necessarily elapse before he will
be fully restnred To health and usefulness.
THE PRINCIPALS.
MIR. w. c. Elan, who was so badly in
jured i'll this unfortunate affair, is the ed
ftor If the Rchm. s'Ni,ia, and une of
The most vigorous writers in Virginia. liz
has long been connected with tn. press OF
this city and State, and Las host OF
friends regardless OF party politics. lie is
KNOWN AS one Of the most courteous, unas-
snming, and ki9d-hearted men in tie pro-
fession. He is, and has'been for some time
a resident OF Louisa county, and is man
II family. Mrs Elam has been 8 mt for