The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-07-05

appeared i'll journalism first as a con
tributor to the EGanainer after it's reviva
by Henry Rives Pollard, and was sool
taken on the paper as Il member OF tho
staff. After the suspension of the Eranl
inef Mr.. Elan became correspondent ano
between the United States and Cuba il
1872, and for long time before that
period, growing out of the execution OF
Capt. Fry in Cuba, Mr.. Elan represented
the New York Times rs correspondent
AMI i'll that capacity was at Key West
Fla, before thesurrender OF the Virginius
After returning from that expedition he
became city editor of the Wing In 1878
he became the controlling editor OF that
paper, and has held that position even
since. His editorials have attracted wide
spread attention in this State. AS polit-
ical writer Mr. Elan has no superior and
few equals in the South. He is thoroughly
devoted to his profession, and all his work
is carefully prepared before it appears. It
is to Mr.. Elan S vigorous and intelligent
editorials more than to any other cause
that the success of the Readlusters is due
He is more thoroughly informed about pub
lie measures and policies than any other
man in his party.
Mr.. ELAN had three affairs of honor.
During the wlr he had a hostile meeting
with a felloW-soldier but neither were
wounded. During the political campaign
of 1880 i'll this State Elam fought duel
with Col Tom Smith, Il son of eX-Gov.
Smith. The scene of that affair was near
lakewood Cemetery, just below Richmond.
Elam was wounded in the chin and con
fined to the house for several weeks. So
secretly were all the negotiations for that
fight conducted that none of the parties to
it could be successfully prosecuted.
Mr.. r.. f. Beirne, q years old, was born
in Greenbrier county, West Va, near Lew
isburg. He is 6 feet in height, erect, and
weighs over 225 pounds, but he is very
active, and his flesh is scarcely noticed
He was educated at Randolph Macon Col
lege, Virginia, and Heidelburg, Germany.
AT ansearly age he manifested Il strong de-
sire To become a journalist. In 1877 Mr.
Beirne bought Il half interest in the Rich
mond jStde, the only afternoon paper pub
lishedI in Richmond. At the time the paper
was owned and edited by the late j. III.
Chamberlayne. After obtaining an equal
interest in the State Mr.. Beirne became
one of its editors, and upon the death of
his associate he purchased the interest be-
longing to his estate, and from that time
became its sole owner and controlling ed
itor. At the opening of the present cam
paign Mr.. Beirne's editorials in the State
We're marked by their severity in denuncia-
ton of Malone and his followers Per-
Sonaily he is said to be one of the most
companionable of men. He is open-hearted,
jolly, and noted as one Of the best story
teilerS in this section. He wears dark
brown moustache and goatee. He is mar
ried and has thrca children About two
years ago he took exception to an article
which appeared in the Wing from the pen
of Mr.. Elan. AneXplanation was promptly
asked for and as readily given by the author
of the publication referred to. During
| the heated campaign in this State in 1880,
a hostile meeting occurred between Mr..
Beirne and Senator Riddeberger, the scene
of which WAS near Hanover Junction.
Mr.. Beirne's second left q package con-
tanning percussion caps in carriage some
| 6iStanaa from, N Iual1ipn Grounds PHI
dleberger having another engagement with
Geo. Wise for the same morning declined
awaiting until the omission could be sup
Piled.
/ NOTES.
Now that this much talked of duel is
| fenced. Under the cartel it was thought
that one or both of the principals could
| not escape mortal wounds. Elam s bad
| Workmanship, or rather detected vision,
readily accounts for the harmleSsneSs of
| his bullets. Beirne was Il practiced pistol
shot, and regarded us an expert Why he
| failed to reach his mark the first time, and
| at the distance thatseparated the two men,
may perhaps be explained hereafter. This
cartel is said to have been the most deadly
agreed upon since the famous and fa-
tai duel many years ago, between Pleas
ants and Ritchie. The scene of that
| fight was in Manchester. Peasants
advanced toward his opponent, and
received the fatal ball from his an
| tagonist That affair, like the Beirne-
| Elam difficulty, grew out of az editorial.
| Mr.. Richie was the editor of the old En-
q,Grer, at that time the Democratic organ
of Virginia Democracy. Mr.. Peasants
held the same position on the Wing. 1t at
| tracted widespread attention at the time.
Mr.. Richie was indicted by the Grand
Jury OF the Hastings Courtsof Richmond,
| but was not convicted.
| Mr. Elan held the position of Secretary
| of the Commonwealth. Soon after accept
ing Beirnes first challenge he placed his
resignation us Secretary of the Common
wealth in the hands of friend to do with
as he thought proper. 1t is probable that
| it reached the Governor shortly after
wards and was accepted. Under the laws
of Virginia duelling is made felony, and
no one who has sent, accepted, OF borne a
challenge can hold Office under the State
No one, however, has ever been con
vcted under the law.
Mr. Elan s friends declare that this
duel gives him the next Governorship
Prior, however, to his nomination fol
that Office, his disabilities under theduelling
act will have to be removed by the legisla
ture.
1t is stated that the late antagonists are
not personally acquainted. MI. Beirnt
has been on the Richmond press for the
past six years, but never during that time
met Mr.. Elan. The latter is very mucl
Of recluse and rarely appears in public
He was seldom seen about the city except
in going from his clearinghouse to the
| Whig office OF the State House, where his
duties as Secretary of the Commonwealth
called him. Both gentlemen are sociablt
and pleasant in their manners. but Elan
has few intimates. Beirne, on the Other
hand, mixes a great deal with the peO
pie.