Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-07-06
A BATTLE FOUGHT.
Hostile Meeting Near Waynes-
boro, Va, Between the Blood
thirsty Richmond Editors.
Mr.. Elam Shot Down Strictly Ac-
cording to the Rules of the
Dueling Code.
The Antagonists Compelled to Hide
in Hen.Roosts Prior to the
Contest.
At the Scene:
THE ENEMIES FACE TO FACE.

At the Scene:
THE ENEMIES FACE TO FACE.
CHICAGO, July 2-The Tribune of
Suusay has the following SPECIAL: The
duel between Richard F. Bei-ne, editor
of the Richmond State, and William G
Elam, editor of the Richmond Wing,
took place two miles south of here Sat
urday,.at o'clock a. m. The men we're
placed in position promptly by their
seconds, and the command was gwen,
Gentlemen, are you ready? FIRE.
One, two, three" At the first fire
Elam's ball pierced the skirt of sack
coat worn by Belrne. Neither was hit.
Beirne, as the challenging party, de-
manded another shot. 1u this second
round Fam was sounded in the right
mp, the ball passing through the fl shy
part of that side ana striking the let
nip. The wound is not considered
dangerous. Elam SIS soon as struck,
said to his seconds: Il am struck"
Beirne's seconds declared their princi-
pal satisfied. Eeirne hfled his nat,
saluted his opponents, a-d, wa, king to
bis carriage, entered and drove away.
Elam was lifted to his carriage and
driven away. Beirne was represented
by Frank Wright, of Petersburg, and
w. E Cnalkley. of Richmond. Elam's
seconds were Sneffey Lewis, of RICK
ingham, q son of Lieut. Gov. Jonn F.
Lewis, and United Safes district at
torney for the western district of Vn-
ginia, and John d. Snelling.
WHERE THEY FOUGHT.
The 6ueling ground was in beautiful
grove of oaks on the farm of Philip
Killian on the New Hope turnpike. TIE
weapons used were CJlt's revolvers OF
81 callbre, distance eight PAGES. The
original cartel provided for navy 6 shot
revolvers. The new cartel provided Tor
navy 6 fevolvers or 42-calibre Smith &
Wesson. Beirpe's seconds demanded
that the weapons substituted should be
as near TO those as possible. Elam's
seconds however, insisted that he should
be allowed to use such pistols as he
wanted. AT the word of command both
men fired promptly and almost stimuli
taneously. E.am's second shot entirely
missed his opponent. Both men are
represented to have been perfectly cool.
b rrne Is very large man, and weighs
225 pounds. Fam weighs about 137
The difference IN size was considered 10
Bsirne's great dIsadvantsge.b but Eiam's
pearsightedness was claimed 10 offset
This disadvantage. Dr.. Lewis Wheat, of
r chmond, nephew of ex Gov. Lewis,
was Elam's surgeon. Beirne had none.
Elam was removed to the residence of
ex-Gov. Lewis. cams wife was tele-
graped for and is now on the way to his
beuslde.
HOW THEY MET.
A remarkable feature of this affair is
the manner in which the two men got
together without being arrested. When
Beirne escaped from Hanover Junction
eight days ago he fled to West Virgil
MIA. The following Monday evening
as soon as Mccarthy, his second, could
communicate with him, new cartel
Was made. The place of meeting nam
ed therein was near Waynesboro S4tur-
day morning. Here the romano. Of
the duel comes in. Beirne had safely
placed himself beyond the limi of The
State, and the q aestion then arose, how
we're the parties to be gotten together.
Tue difficulty was enhanced by The fact
that all sources of communication were
under espionage. D. putty Sheriffs all
along the lines of the railroads were on
the lookout. The authorities bad drawn
a complete network around tne parties.
Mccarthy, Royal, Ragland, and all par
ties suspe cted of connection with this
affair were watched by detectives. E.
am was securely hid near Richmond,
but Bierne could not move from West
Virginia. Finally Mccarthy resorted
to cipher dispatch. Two messengers
were sent to Beirne in West Virginia,
one bearing a pair of navy Fix revolvers
and the other the key TO the cipher.
They went by different routes, and'this
cipher man was chased by Deputy
Sner,ff who suspected him. He escap-
ed by running through big cornfield.
The railroad authorities 20 read and
gave away every telegram that passed
through were be filed as they perused the
dispatches concerning brilliant trans
action in Tobacco and rash attempt to
bull the what market, while the chances
of brilliant season at the White Sul-
phur Springs were discou-sed. 1he dis
patch, which appointed the place
of meeting, discussed the maple sugar
crop of Green Brler County. At both
ends of the line detectives were non
plussed. By means of this cipher the
cartel and all necessary prellmis aries
were arranged. The cartel provided
that the meeting should be two miles
ort of Wsynesboro at 80 this morn
ing on the old stag road. The password
was Number one." Mr.. Belrne left
Green Bner County Tuesday night.
The rain was coming do IN In torrents.
Beirne and Wright had to keep away
from the railroad and take the most
out of the way roads. To add to this
trouble the mountain streams were
swollen, and once the jersey wagon
and its occupants were swept down the
stream. They travelled night and day
and managed to make the trip ofnear-
ly 200 miles without being discovered.
The parties were determined, for both
belligerents realized that neither of
them could chow himself in Richmond
in "the slashes of Hanover" Henry
Gays birthplace, and make his escape
from the police. Elan took to the by
roads, led by the same strong purpose
to get to the point of meeting. He was
in covered buggy, and had to exer-
cIse the same caution as Beirne, being
dogged at every step, but he appreciat-
ed thoroughly the situation, and was
determined on getting to the appointed
place. 1t might be 3 matter OF life or
death when there, but to fail to get
there was q matter of honor or dir
honor. As the men neared the place
the difficulties sround them thickened
and many tricks and disguises were re-
sorted to, while renewed efforts were
made in the cities TO entrap them.
Il was at the same time understood
by the two opposing parties, the Ma
bonsites azd anti-Mahoneites that
there was more n this than mere
abuse between the two editors. The
two papers had been fitting at each
other for q good while, and the two
men felt that tee eyes Of the state we're
upon them.
FRoM HE'S ROOTS TO THE FIELD OF
HONOR.
The two champions proceeded forth
the other night, lying In hen-roosts or