Daily Republican., 1883-07-02
THE DUELISTS MEET.
A DUEL FOUGHT AT SUNRISE on
SATURDAY, AND ELAN GETD
A BALLIN HIS HIP,

| WAYNEsBORO, VA, June 20.-The
duel between Richard F. Beirne, edi-
tor of the Richmond estate" au4
W. G. Elan, editor of the RichmouA
Whig," occurred this morning. II
affair was the outcome of edi orfals
which had appeared from time to time
in the papers edited by these gentlemen.
Promptly at 6 o'clock this morning the
principals were placed in position by
their seconds. At the first fire Elam's
ball pierced the skirt of a sack coat
worn by his opponent. but neither was
hurt. Mr.. Beirne, as the challenging
party, demanded another shot, which
was accorded.
In that round Elan was wounded in
the right hip, the ball passing through
the fieshy part of the side and striking
the left hip. Thewound is not regarded
as dangerous. When Elan was struck
he said to his second who stood near
| II am struck" After he fell he
said: ooh, -it! am shot again.
l can't shoot. That is what's the mat
ter During the time the doctor was
probing for the ball the wounded man
smoked cigar which some one gave
him. The ball could not be found and
it is feared it has touched BONE
Beirne declared himself satisfied, raised
his hat to his opponent and his SEC
onds, entered his vehicle, and left the
grounds.
Beirne was represented by Frank
Wright, of Petersburg, and w. E.
Cholkley, of Richmond.
Elam's seconds were Sheffey Lewis,
of Rockingham, a son of Lieut.. Gov.
John Il. Lewis, and United States At
torney for the West District of Virginia;
and John D. Smelling, well-known
local Coalition politician of Richmond.
The dueling ground was in beautiful
grove of oaks on the farm of Philip Kill
liam, on the Newhope turnpike, about
~ miles south of here.
The weapons were Colts revoI-
vers Of 80 calibre, and the distance
eight PAGES.
The original cartel provided for Colts
navy revolyers, but in the subsequent
one agreed on 1t was left to Elam's
friends to select any weapons they saw
fit At the word of command both men
fired promptly. The reports from their
rang out upon the morning air
almost simultaneously. As neither man
was hurt, Beirne called for renewal of
the firing. The combatants again took
positions, and at the command, "One,
two, three, fire." both weapons were
again discharged almost together.
Beirne's shot was we'll delivered, and
struck his antagonist about where it
was aimed. Elan missed his mark.
Both men are represented to have be-
laved with perfect calmness and self
fhrOn nrhnI1t tho 1pnr anA
edious delays incident to the affair, as
veil as under the fire of to-day.
The duel has attracted widespread
interest throughout the State. Noevent
las transpired since the war which has
occupied more public attention. To-day
dispatches have been received here
rom every section of the Common
wealth inquiring about the result
These have come from the POLITICAL
md personal friends of both sides. The
esult of to days duel will make Elan
he nominee of his party for Governor
n 1885. He is already head and shoul-
[ers above almost any man IN the par
y. eyes" remarked one of the most
Mahoneites in the State to-
ay, "Elam's boom for the Guberna-
orial nomination has star ed with this
flair, and no man in the party can
eat him for it. 1t is already as good
$ given him."
A dispatch yesterday from Harison-
urg, near where Elam is confined,
tates that he is now at the home of
acknowledgements Lewis. Mr..
.ewis' son arrived at his home here last
vening. He says the ball was cut out
the inner side Of Mr.. Elam's left hip,
nd that, unless blood poisoning occurs,
lr. Elan will recover. The la ter's
'ife reached him yesterday, and he
ill not be removed for some time. Mr..
lei rpa ia in Richmond