Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-07-05

STAUNTON, v g., June oo.-Dlerne anu
Elaml the Richmond duelists, met this
morning near New Hope, tbs county.
At the first exchange of shots neither
was touched. At the second snOt
Elam was struck in the upper part of
the right thigh and Bierne escaped un-
hurt. Bierne then expressed himself
SO satisfied and the parties left the field
in opposite directions.
THE PARTICULARS.
STAUNToN, June 30.-It Is impossible
at this time, to gather minute details
Of the duel. Elam had been concealed
not many miles from the scene Of the
combat for several days past. He was
at the residence of John Lewis, son Of
Hon. John Lewis.
The arrangement for the meeting
was matured in Richmond at the time
when Elam was in this vicinity and
Bierne in West Virginia. Some point
about midway between the places was
fixed as the place. A change of sec
onds was made, and the cartel, as pre-
yiously determined on, namely: Colts
skies, at eight PAGES, was agreed upon.
Both principals managed to evade
the vigilance of the authorities, and at
s o'clock this morning they met In 3
strip of woods about q mile from
Waynesboro. The distance was mark
ed off and at the first fire neither of
the men were struck. Bierne, the
challenger, demanded a second shot,
which was granted, and bullet from
his pistol imbedded itself In the upper
part Of Ean's right thigh. Blerne
was untouched.
Elam fell TO the ground, and Bjerne,
raising his hat to his fellow opponent,
was hurried into a carriage and driven
rapidly away. Subse Quently he took
the train at CremOna. Elan WAS also
conveyed In q carriage to a house near.
His surgeon attended to him. 1t was
found that the extraction of the ball
would be attended with danger and q
consultation among the surgeons was
held.
The fact that ball failed to force its
way through ID taken as evidence in
connection with the character of the
weapon used and the distance that it
came. d direct contact with one of the
large bones. No arrests have been made,
nor does there seem TO be any DISPOSE
9ion TO institute legal investigation.
Elan was removed to the residence of
John Z. Lewis and his wife sent for.
STAUNToN, Va, June 30-Wnen the
COmbat&nts took their positions, sever
81 gentlemen were present but not in
mediately connected with the affair.
Beirne asked them to retire. They did
so. The physicians then gave the word,
'Gentlemen, are you ready? One, two,
three, fire." Shots were to be exchang-
ed after the word fire." and before the
word "three." At the word ''one," both
pistols were discharged in quick sue
cessIon, but without effect. The same
programme was then repeated, both
reports beirg almost simultaneous and
Just at the word zone" As Elam stag
gered under the effect of the wound
his second ran forward and
assisted him TO the cushions
which lay on the ground. The wound
ed man was under the impression that
the ball had penetrated both legs, and
insisted such was the case. When as
sured by the surgeon 1t had not even
gone through one leg, and that the
intense pain IN the other was from
sympathy, Elam expressed regrets he
had not demanded another shot. He
was perfectly cool and collected, and
gave directions In strong and COM
posed voice. Beirne also acted delib
erately, and although pale, seemed
perfectly cool. He was taken away
by his second after he discovered
Elam could not again stand.
Elam was placed in an
residence of Lieutenant Governor
Lewis, fifteen or twenty miles distant.
1t was doubtful what the effect of the
ride would be, and, in case the wound
ed man was not able to stand, it prepa-
tons were made for his entertainment
at the house of some of his prominent
friends along the way.
The wound is evidently a very seri-
Gus one. After the ball struck, EIam
gave one or two steps forward and from
that it was thought his leg was not
broken. The surgeon, however, stated
that the muscle would have sustained
him some length of time.
RICHMOND. Va, June 80. In the
meeting between Beirne and Elan,
Colts 5-shooters, 81 calibre, were used,
at q distance of PAGES. The provi-
sions of the original cartel were carried
out until Elam was shot. The cartel
provided that after the first fire If
neither were shot, word would be given
for another round, and then the parties
should continue firing, and advance if
they chose.
o. the second round EIam received
Beirne's shot in his thigh, and stagger-
ed or fell and exclaimed: 81 am hit y
Beirne ceased firing, and his seconds
declared their principal satisfied"
Beirne then raised his hat, saluted his
opponent, and walked to the carriage
which be entered and was driven away.
Elam passed to his carriage and was
taken to the Lynwood residence of
Lieut.. Gov. Lewis, in Rockingham Co.,
/, g., 81, - :