Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-06-27
Belligcrent Virginia Editors,
WARRANTS FOR THE ARREST OF
MESSRS. BEIRNE AND ELAM-A
DUEL EXPECTED.
Especial Dispatch to the Baltimore SUM-

RICHMOND, VA, June 2l.-War-
rants were issued this morning for the
arrest Of Richard F. Beirne, editor oil
the State, aud w. G.. Elan. editor Of
the Wing, on a charge that they were
about to engage IN duel. The issu-
ance of the warrants is due to deuun-
catory editorial in the Wing this morn
ing, in which the editor of the State is
called liar. No arrests have yet been
made, neither of the gentlemen being
10 town. Mr.. Elan is secretary OF the
Commonwealth Of Virginia.
Mr.. Beirne lives in the village OF
Ashland, sixteen miles from here. He
did not come 10 his Office to-day. 1t Is
understood that as soon as he read the
offensive editorial in the Whig he com.
municated with Elan and demanded
satisfaction. Elan had left the city
and concealed himself. Beirne's chal-
lenge was conveyed 10 him; ii is I'M
derstood it was accepted by Elan.
Seconds are believed TO have been
chosen.
It's understood that the duel will
came Off near the city tomorrow, posi-
bly, at day break. Messrs. Belrne and
Elam are both men Of courage, Elan
fought a duel with Col. Thomas Smith,
of Fauquier, near this city, in June,
1880. 10 that affair Elan was wound
ed in the face.
All the efforts of the police to get on
the track OF the duelisis have been in
vain, and everything will be done to
avoid any interference by the authorl-
ties. Both gentlemen are said to be
concealed in farm houses near the city.
Mr.. Beirne is very large man and
weighs probably 225 pounds. Elan is
of 10 edlum stature and does not weigh
more than 40. Both are believed to
be expert in the use Of the pistol.
The denunciatory article in the Wing
seems 10 have been brought out by an
editorial in the State of Tuesday in de-
NAL of charge oil the Wing that the
dem ocrats we're raising the cry Of
"uigger" in order to array the whites
against the blacks. In severely COM
menting on Senator Malone for this
alleged attempt 10 put 10 the mouth OF
the democrats word which was char
actcristIc of Malone and bis associate
in the Senate from Virginia, the Safe
added: 1--WE wish it 10 be distinctly
understood by all Of Mahone's corrupt
henchmen that what we say and have
said of him we mean aud have meant
OF them, personally, Individually, COL
lectively orin any other sense they
may choose 10 feel. A more vicious.
corrupt and degraded gang never fol-
lowed any adventurer than those who
hang about the petty boss. These TEL
lows, it Is, who have never a scraple in
promoting mixed marriages and mixed
schools and in opposing honest white
men-honest cOlored men, we trust
in the strong desire to turn aside so
dire an EVIL, accuse their opponents Of
using their own offensive word, mig
gerr " The article concluded by adj
yising the Mahoneites "to seize at
once their characterize uame-'nig-
GER"
In reply the Wing referred TO Mr..
Blerne as the Bombastes Furioso ofthe
State who had 'the singular reputation
Of having illustrated bis untamed yalor
only by going upon the field without
caps while. on the other hand, the
humble parsonage who now, on this
occasion, has the honor to represent
the Wing, its editorial corps and the
readjustel party, is at last reported to
have been so rash, once upon time,
as not to have forgotten the caps fall
ing before a shot which be met iull In
the face" The concluding paragraph
ofthe Wing, which gave Mr.. Bierne
the lie, is as follows: consequently,
unintimidated, and not utterly crushed
we laugh at the States viluperation
and vaporlDg. and beg 10 remark that
not only does the State lie, but its
editor and owner lies, aud the poor
creature who may have actually written
the article in question al-o lies-all,
jointly and severally deliberately,
knowingly, mallciously aud with the
inevitable cOwardce that is always
yoked with insolent travado."