The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-04
THE ELAM.BEIRNE AFFAIR.
Three Alleged Witnesses OF the Duel
, Condition Of Mr. Elam-Prose-
cutiOn TO be Made.


StauntOn yesterday says that DIR. Hamilton,
who has been consulting with DR.. Lewis
Wheat in regard to Mr.. Elam's wound,
does not share DIR. Wheat's confidence
as to the certainty Of an early recove-
ry. He thinks that the danger to be
apprehended is from suppuration, and
from the possible formation OF an alb
scess in the tortuous line of the wound.
DR.. Hamilton Is the superintendent OF the
Western Lunatic Asylum. He and DIR.
Wheat have been the only medical attend
ants OF Mr.. Elam. He declares that Elan
Is one OF the best patients he ever saw, and
is very cheerful, and under the impression
that he is but slightly wounded, which is
all in his favor.
Mr.. Elam felt the ball under the skin OF
the left thigh, where from the first he had
insisted it was, and having designated the
spot, DIR. Wheat took it therefrom on Sum
day.
THREE ALLEGED WITNESSES OF THE DUEL.
The dreling-grOund was in grove; be-
yoru the grove was wheat-field. In this
field there was a reaper starting to work
and n number OF negroes were there TO
follow the machine as binders. Three of
these negroes (as they declare) in the be-
ginning saw two gentlemen walk up and
begin pacing up and down IN the grove as
il they were stepping off the ground. In a
few moments they were joined by others;
the conversation that took place they could
not hear. The negroes say they left their
work and got closer up, till, As they
assert, they were within twenty feet OF
the party. They saw the principals
placed in position; they saw both shots
fired. and after that, as they allege, Mr..
Elam cried out, 81 am shot" and Mr..
Beirne dropped his pistol at his feet, and
said. 4" am satisfied" (O A negro who
told this story gave an official fairly accu-
rate personal description OF both Elan and
Beirne.
Persons in Richmond IN a position to
know pretty well say that these darkies are
drawing largely upon their imagination,
and that il is quite impossible that they
were where they could see the fight.
WHAT THE DRIVER KNOWS.
The colored man who drove Mr.. Beirne
and party from Lewisburg, West Va, to
the dueling-ground, and who was arrested
and held as n witness, has given bail and
returned home. He did not see the fight;
but says that Mr.. Beirne, upon returning
to the carriage, told his (Beirne's) brother
that the other man was shot.
Mr., John +. Lewis, Jr., was i'm StauntOn
the day before the fight, inquiring for pis-
to-caps and bullets. At Waynesboro'.
on the same day, he made similar inquiries.
Where the caps and bullets were purchased
is not now known.
Mr.. ELAM's CONDITION.
Our correspondent at Port Republic
telegraphed us Yesterday morning as fol-
lows: Mr.. Elan passed tirst-rate night,
sleeping quietly without dyne At A.
VI. his temper re was normal. There
was little nd headache, but he
was doing Yc well and the wound was in
good condition and healing.
The following was received last night
Elam passed the day without any change
for the worse. The wound is doing well,
and il no bad symptoms occur he is eX-
pected to be able to reach home early next
week.
PROSECUTION.
The county authorities OF Augusta intend
to institute Il prosecution against Mr..
Beirne and Mr.. Elan, but have not hurried
the matter for the reason that they did not
know the whereabouts Of Mr. BeiIne and
knew that Mr.. Elan would not be able to
appear in court for week or more.
1t is represented that in and about Staun-
ton the opinion is that the prosecution will
not be more successful in this case than it
has been i'm similar ones hitherto prosecuted
in other parts OF Virginia.
1t is understood that at the first round
Mr.. Beirne fired in the usual way, and that
t1a ha from