Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-07-04

extraction Of the ball would be attend.
ed with danger. The fact that the ball
(thirty-one cahbre) failed to force itself
through the flesh. Is taken as evidence,
u connection with the character Of tie
weapon used and distance, that il came
in direct contact with one of the large
bones:
| UNLIMITED GUESTS.
| When the combatants took their posi-
tons several gentlemen present, re-
porters in disguise, maybe who were
not Immediately connected with the
affair. were asked TO retire, and they
did so.
The physician y gave The word:
"Genllemen, are you ready? Fire !:
one, two, three. Shots were TO be eX-
changed after the word fire and befo re
the word three. At the word one both
pistols were discharged in quick sue.
cesslon, but without effect.
THE WOUND.
AS Elan staggered under the effect
OF the shot his second ran forward and
assisted him ~ a cushion which had
been laid on the ground. The wound
ed man was under the impression that
the ball had penetrated both legs. and
insisted that such was the case. When
assured by the surgeon that it had not
even gone through one leg, and that
the intense pain in the other was from
sympathy, Elan expressed regret that
he had not demanded another shot.
lie was perfectly cool and collected,
and gave directions in strong, compos-
ed voice, Beirne also acted with de-
liberation, and seemed perfectly cool.
After the ball struck Elan he gave one
or two steps forward.
Further Facts.
In the agreement OF the new cartel,
Mr.. Elams friends claimed the privi-
leee as tie challenged party to change
the weapons. 1t provided that they
could use the weapons they had on The
field at Hanover Junction (lhirty-two =
calibre) or Smith & Wesson fOrt,-two-
cahbre revolvtrs, or the nearest TO that
they could. THIS left the field opeu ior
Elam to use any weapon he wanted.
A pair Of navy reyolvers were secur-
ed Tor My. Beirue here and forwarded
to him 10 West Virginia, and were car
ried by him TO the field.
Personal.
MIR. John D. Smelling drove with Mr.,
Elam from Richn oed 10 the duelling-
ground, and returned yesterday by rail
The distance is about l25 miles 10y The
country roads.
Mr.. Lewis, WHO acted as Nj. Elam's
second, is United States district attor'
ney for the Western district.
A box of caps was found on the
ground after The duelists left.
Mr.. Culhbert, the Herald correspond
ent, met Mr.. Elan on the road imm9-
diately after the fight, says that he was
lying in The bottom of the carriage
SIN oking a cigar, and talked very cEeei-
fully.
Mr.. Beirne is ouly twenty-seven years
of age, is large and feshy, aud weighs
about 900 pounds. lie is married, and
they live 10 Ashland, and have three
children. Mrs. Beirne has heroically
borne the ten days suspense, but no
doubt has suffered greatly.
Mr.. Elan is forty seven, and is a
little above The medium height and
weighs, say, 40 /; resides on his farm
in Louisa, and has wlie and several
CHI ildren. Mis-. Elan came 10 this city
as the best point to hear news from the
combatants, and has endured all the
agony OF conflicting rumOrs ard pro-
longed suspense I'LL yesterday morn
ing, VIXEN she was notified that heI
usband was slightly wounded, and re-
ceived from him the elc, me summons
to come 10 his side.
The first news of the duel that reach
ed Richmond Vas a telegram Elan SEM
his wife, assuring her that he was but
slightly wounded.
THE FEELING.
The result of the duel was a great re.
lief to the public. They did not wish
10 hear of the death OF either party.
They were glad to know shat the trou-
BILE was over, and without great injury
TO either combatant.
Mr.. Beirne Is one Of the best fellows
in the world. That is what is general.
ly said about him here. Everybod,
loves him. His death would have
caused universal mourning. AS it is,
he will return 10 receive Tie kindly
pressure oflhe hand from 4 thousand
friends. His courage with those who
know him was ever above suspicion
and they rejoice that he has had this
opportunity TO prove it to the world.
The loss Of Mr.. Elan would have
been an almost mreparable one in hi.
cause. The whole party was in sweat
for fear that he would be killed. The
county chairman who recently came
here TO discuss politics talked more
about the duel than about the cauv ass
A well.known gentleman SAID yester
day Mr.. Elan will be their mex
candidate for. Governor. If he loses
The Office OF Secretary Of the Common
wealth II will only be 10 succeed Cam
eron, il ii is in The power Of the Ma
hone party to put him there"
SECRETARY CT THE COMMONWEALTH