Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1884-08-16
SATURDAY. AUGUST 10. 1884.
Stephen q. Elkins.

Boston Advertiser: Stephen B. FL
kins, the real manager of the Blaine
campaign, is a sharp man in money
matters and an extremely practical poll
tician. For years he and Mr. Blaine
have been close friends. Elkins has al
ways been for Blaine, chummed with
him ia Washington, shouted for him at
conventions and looked out for him in
sundry speculations. Elkins is relied
upon by Blaine to do the delicate man
aging this fall, and if il is crowned with
success he will be a great political factor
in the next administration. Elkins is
relied upon by Blaine to do the delicate
managing this fall, and If it is crowned
with success he will be a great political
factor in the next administration. Ell
kins is the sort Of fellow that men like.
Fat, big framed, with q h~eavy-jawed
face, and a laugh and voice that can be
heard in any crowd. During the tumul-
tuous cheering for Blaine at Chicago
Elkins was heard above all the rest, and
in Ave minutes would, i'm some secret
parlor, be conducting the most delicate
negoti ltions for votes. Hejs a versatile
and shrewd cleaner in politics, rich, one
Of those men like Mr.. Blaine, who can
push themsel YES in this world and not
worry over it. Elkins looks to be 35 or
38 years old. He is 43, and has the
bluff, honest way of 80. That is vonng
for one to be q double millionaire
and a prospective cabinet officer, but at
81 he was elected to congress, and then
his close acquaintance with Mr.. Blaine
began.
Before the wal his father was super
intendent of the eastern division of Ben
Holidays great stage route, and a great
democrat. When the war broke out
this son had Just graduated at the uni
versity Of Missouri and was studying
law. His brother went into the rebel
army, but with unerring instinct he en-.
listed and became a captain on the
Union side. 1t did not suit him very
well. So, in 1868 he drifted down into
New Mexico, by that time well cleared
of rebel troops, and went to practicing
law in Santa Fe. Naturally enough he
worked his way into the legislature, and
in Johnson's administration was made
District Attorney. In this position the
opportunities for making money were
many. In n way and another he gain
ed possession of large grants of land,
some Of them held now by him. The
large star-route contractors were on good
germs with him, helped to secure this
election to congress, where he was look
ed upon as their especial friend. With
considerable rapidity he accumulated
wealth, and in 1872 was elected delegate
TO congress. Elkins is an Episcopalian
himself, and / believe now associates as
vestryman in the same church, with Mr..
Jones, publisher ofthe New York Times.
But in New Mexico, with its large
Catholic population, he was attentive to
them. The visitor can see in the Roman
Catholic Cathedral q memorial window
Inscribed:
To the Memory of
STEPHEN B. ELKINS,
Born September 20. lS4l; died
The old archbishop delights to point
this ont to visitors, and talk of Elkins'
wonderful smartness.
When he entered congress Mr.. Blaine
was speaker and the two became inti-
mate. Elkins always had schemes for
making money, and they generally
turned out we'll. Besides. it was for his
interest to be on good terms with lead
ing men in order the better to look out
for the interest of his s~tar-route con-
tractors. He became acquainted with
Senator Davis, of West Virginia, the
richest man in that state, who had risen
from : brakeman's place on the Balti-
more 4 Ohio railroad. Alter ONE session
Wkins married Davis daughter. At his
second election he had less than half the
majority OF the first, and in 1877 he left
congress "A year or two later he Turned
mp in Leadyille, when the excitement
there was at its height. For 10000 the
Annie mine was bought and in a year