New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-01
BEIRNE WOUNDS ELAN.
THE DUEL BETWEEN VIRGINIA EDITORS.
FIRING TWO sHoTs-THE WOUND CONSIDERED DAN
GERoUs-A DRIVER ARRESTED.
rBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUSEl

| west of Waynesborough In Augusta County, Is a
forest of native oaks free from underground. and
one of the most fertile parts of this valley In the
depths Of this woodland is deep depression, the
ground rising abruptly on either side, forming
kind of amphtheatre. This spot was the place
selected for the ong-deferred hostile meeting be-
tween the Editors of The Richmond State and The
| Richmond Whia 1t is known that Just
week ago the principals were almost
together in Hanover County, and at that
time the proceedings were interrupted BY the ar
rival of the police and the arrest of Mr.. Berne.
The latter escaped from the officers before being put
under bonds and reached West Virginia. Elan, his
opponent who was within twenty steps of the spot
| selected for the duel evaded the police and made
| his way back to Richmond. Thus the combatants
became widely separated, and the authorities along
| the line of the railroad being on the lookout for
both of the principals, it seemed almost impossible
for them to get together.
| In aaying suspicion the seconds originally &C.
lected were exchanged for Others and point near
midway between the hiding places OF the respective
principal. was chosen as the battle-ground Each
OF the men, with one or two friends. Iourneyed
there, travelling in private conveyance and under
the shadow of darkness. Elan reached the vicinity
of Port Republic day two in advance OF the
time fixed for the meeting He remained con-
ceaed ut the residence of John Lewis In the mean
! time Beirne was cOmiEg eastward, traversng the
| rough mountain road in a carriage. At 8 O'Clock
last night his party passed through Staunton with
out stopping. They reached the ground about mid
nIgt and went into camp
| THE cOMBATANTs FACE TO FACE.
Promptly at O'Clock THIS morning the friends of
the two combatants. together with the principals,
stood face to face. Elam's party had travelled ton
or ifteen miles that morning, but appeared IN ex-
cellent spirits and inpatient for the fight Little
time was lost in the adjustment OF prsllmmaries.
The cartel had been agreed upon. 1t called for
Colts army SKIES at eight PAGES. The command
was to be: Gentlemen, are you ready Fire one,
two. three" Shots were to he exchanged after
the word "freD and before the word
three" After the first fire the challenger
was 10 say whether not he satisfied. II not.
then at the same command the men were to empty
another barrel each and continue until the SIX
loads were exhausted. Either had the privilege OF
advancing.
At few minutes after o'clock the ground was
measured of and the two men placed in position.
Both seemed perfectly composed. Several friends
who were present, but not Immediately connected
with the affair." asked TO retire. hey did so In
| a moment the word came Gentlemen, you
ready Fire. One, two, three At the word One p"
! the reports from both pistols rung out on the
I
! Elan and Btrnc were discovered just as they lad
been placed. Neither had been touched. Tho
challenger upon being questioned demanded an
other fire. The demand was readily acceded to.
ELAN STRUCK ~ TIE RIGHT THIGH.
' Again the worl vas givcn and again ut zone"
/ tho explosion Of the two cartridges came almost
simultaneously. Dcirne stood perfectly still.
| Elan went a step or two forward and was caught
by his econd. and gently raised from the ground.
The ball had entered his right thigh nearly at the
| mp The probe was introduced by the attend
ant surgeon. but 1T failed 10 reach the lead.
| Elam insisted that he had been shot through both
legs but when told that the pain in the left leg was
from sympathy. he declared that had he known
such was the case he would have de-
manded another fire. He then asked for
paper and pencil. and in firm
hanl wrote two kilograms to his wife. sending one
TO Richmond and one to his home, not being sure at
which point his wife would be found In the mean
time Beirne had expressed himself satisfied, and
lifting his hat to his fallen opponent left
tho field in company with his friends. They
entered carriage and wcro driven rapidly
away At Crimora. station near by, they took
the Shenandoah Valley Railroad south.
Elan was made az comfortable ~ possible by his
surgeon and friends. He was calm aud
collected and gave directions with vigorous
emphatic voice. lie remarked that tho wound was
slight. After bandaging, he was placed IN an am
bulance aud started for tho residence OF Lleuten-
ant-Cioyernor Lewis some twenty miles distant.
The wound IL thought to be dangerous one. TAX
ing into consideration The weapon used and the dis
tance it is almost certain that The ball must have
shattered the largo hone otherwise 1t would hayo
passed through the leg
With both men apparently courageous and self
possessed it seems strange that they could have
missed each other at eight PAGES Elam, however,
had insisted upon this distance as the falrcst he
would agroo to, for tho reason that he
Is SO near-sghted as not TO be able frequently 10
recognize familiar face across the room. His un-
certain aim is therefore easily accounted for. IL is
questionable if be could the point of his pistol as
he held it out at arms length Beirne. however, is
famous sh1t. and maa who
has never been accused Of want of
coura0e On the field is face pale, but there
wcr> signs OF II, I+ness and as lie tooS a'ui
his arm was steady aud every movement shovel
delibcration. There IS n general ,eenng Oh
relief that the long suspense ia over with no worse
consequences. The affair. however, may not emu
here. Beirhe's article out of which tho dlncn,ty
grew. was not directly personal. but was intended
"a an Insult TO the whole Readjuster party. II Is by
no means certain that other members oI thal oigah-
zation will not seek an opportunity 10 'nuicato eho
party.
DEIRye's DRIVER ARRESTED AS A WITNESS.
There IL some chance. too of the authorities
taking the matter in hand. The difficulty IN the
case ~ to secure the evidence. The seconds are ~
much implicated the principals, and cannot
be made to testify. This evening. however, the
coored driver OF Bernes carriage was arrested IN
this city, and upon being questioned stated
that he had not Witnessed the htlhg, |
but that Mr.. Beirne upon returning 20
the carriage after the affair had started tht he had
shot Elan. The negro is detained az witness ana
this may be the first step IN the INK Oh d'rec' e'i
dence
pEIRNE GOES TO BALTIMORE.
BALTIMORE, June 30.-R. +. Beirne, accompanied
by his seconds, Francis NJ. Wright OF Petersburg
and w. T.. Chockey. of Richmond, as well as An
drew Beirne, of Lewsburg, Va, and H. NJ. Smieh, |
.oaoh.d this r. ity thia evening and |