The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-07
MEMORIES OF THE DUEL.
what a Staunton Paper says About
the Pr0secutiOn-E7am's Condition.

The Valley Virqin,dn Republican,. pub
lished at Staunton, in its account OF the
duel says OF the second shot between
Messrs. Beirne and Ehm: "Tbe echoes
of the two reports were yet reverbera-
ting through the woods when Elan stag
gered step or two forward, and said, L
am struck DIR. Wheat ran to him and
eased him to the ground. He then re-
marked, just my luck; hit again can't
shoot that is what's the NATTER In the
mean time Beirne stood perfectly notion
less. From his attitude and expression it
was evident that he expected his antago-
mist to advance, and was prepared to de-
liver his fire deliberately from bis original
position. But for the wound Elam would
doubtless have fulfilled that expectation,
for even as the ball struck he made a step
forward. When 1t was ascertained that
the wounded man would not be able to
stand again, Mr.. Wright declared his prin-
cipal satisfied"
With reference to the prosecution, this
paper says: "The State OF Virginia has
an account to submit, which her vigilant
representative in this county, Meade f.
White, Esq, will vigorously press. Al
ready warrants have been issued for the
arrest Of the principals, and it is the inten-
tion OF the CommOnwealth's attorney to
vindicate the majesty OF the law by thor
ough and searching investigation and pun
ishment OF the parties il possible. The
difficulty in these cases has always been to
procure the evidence. Neither principals
nor seconds can be made to crimlnate
themselves, and as they are generally the
only witnesses Of the affair, it is impossi-
BILE to make out case. The difficulty,
however, in this instance, may be over
come. Already the first link In the chain
Of evidence has been secured. Last Sat-
urday evening David Wood, the cOlored
driver OF Beirne's carriage, was in Staun-
ton on his way back to West Virginia.
Whilst here he stated that he had not wit
messed the duel, but Immediately after it
was over Mr.. BeIrne had returned to the
carriage and stated in his hearing that he
(Beirne) had shot Elan. The driver was
bound over rs a witness, Messrs. w. r.
Tyree and S. T. Thornburg being his sure
ties in the sum OF $500. But this is not
all. Several other cOlored men, going, as
they say, to the harvest-lield, were attract
ed by the report Of the first exchange OF
shots, and placed themselves in position to
see the last round, in which the wound
was inflicted. They give very minute
and circumstantal account OF the whole
affair, and are positive in asserting that
they were witnesses OF it,"
"Mr. Elan held the position OF Secreta-
" OF the Commonwealth. Soon after ac-
cepting Beirne's first challenge he placed
his resignation as Secretary OF the Common
wealth IN the hands Of friend TO do with rs
he thought proper. 1t is probable that it
reached the Governor shortly afterwards
and was accepted"
"AIr. Elan was a member OF the Board
of Visitors OF the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind
Institution. That being 4 State Office, he
doubtless resigned it before accepting the
challenge. He is one OF the most genial
and pleasant OF gentlemen. and during his
visits to Staunton in connection with the
Institution he has made many friends"
The VALLEY Virginian has the following
i'm defence OF Mr.. Lewis: "Seyeral OF the
northern papers and their correspondents
are demanding the removal OF United
States District Attorney d. Sheffey Lewis
for acting as the second OF w. u. Elan,
ESQ.,. in the late duel with Mr.. Beirne.
This is the merest nonsense. Mr.. Lewis Is
a high-toned. gallant gentleman, but has
very little sympathy with the dueiling
code. Under the circumstances OF the late
duel. he could not, from a humane stand
point, have acted differently. When all
the facts are known. honorable gentlemen,
North and South, and of both parties, will
commend his course rather than condemn
it. We are opposed to dueling on princi-
pie. but in the case OF the recent duel. not
to have responded to the call OF Mr. Elan
in the extreme emergency that existed
would have been as bad rs desertlng Il
friend on the couch OF DEATH"