The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-21
TIE NEW sscRsrARY OF WAR.
Incidents n the Lie OF Stephen B
Klkins

-~~-e0 - k-O -lAAc Oh ELGDQ00 -.
klkins.
Stsphen B. Elkins was born In Perry
county, Ohio. on Sept %, 1871. He was
taken to the state OF Missouri, says the Wash
ton Post. when very young by his father,
who served before the war as superintend-
ent OF Ben Holidays great overland stage
lime. The elder Elkins lived at Westport,
"hlch Was then the leading town in jackson
county, Kansas City, It's steamboat landing.
peing then In It's infancy. WsstpOrt in those
Gays was the outatting depot OF the Mexico
and santa Fe trade, its streets being
thronged with adventures Of al
sorts, traders, greasers, gamblers,
ana Indians Young Elkins, how
ever, received better advantages IN an edu-
cational way than were Afforded bv the
town In which his family lived, aud was
graduated from the University Of Missouri
IN July, 1862 He then began the study of
the law, but was interrupted In his studies
by the outbreak Of ths rebellion. His
brothers went into the confederate army.
but he espoused the union cause, and in 1862
became captain in the Seventy-seventh
Missouri regiment.
In 1868, By which time New Mexico was
telrly cleared Of oontederate troops, he made
his way to Santa Fe with one Of his fathers
freight trains, and having finished his la "
studies and been admitted TO the bar in
1864, established himself there In the prac-
tice OF bis profession. he soon secured a
large business, and IN a little while made
himself power also In New Mexico poll
tics. In 1884, and again In 1865, he was
elected a member Of the territorial legisla-
tive assembly, and subsequently held In
succession the offices of territorial district
attorney. territorial attorney general, and
AZ AfeN-
appointed 10 the latter posi- tion by Presi-
dent johnson, and was retained In 1t when
Grant became President.
In 1877 Mr. Elkins was elected territorial
delegate 70 congress, and was reelected
Two years Later serving in the House for
four years. By that time he had become
tired Of congressional life and for some
years turned his attention exclusively to
business pursuits. becoming largely inter-
ested in mining operations and railroad en-
terprises in New Mexico and Colorado In
the west, and in West Virginia in the east.
he was led to take an interest in West Vir-
glnia affairs, and later to become a resident
OF that state. by his intimate association
with ex-senator Henry @. Davis, whose
daughter he married in 1875. At the ex-
piratlon OF his second term in congress he
remained for about q year in Washington.
and after that made his home in West Vir-
glnla, with a summer residences at Deer
Park, Nd, and winter house In New York
city.
Mr.. Elkins has always had schemes on
hand for making money, and they have
turned out so we'll generally that he is re-
puted to be worth 80, 900. 900 or $4,000, COO.
One OF his early profitable ventures was the
purchase of the Annie mine at Leadville,
Col, which he bought for $40, 900 at the
time when the excitement In the Leadville
region was at its hight In year he had
taken out in profits ten times the amount of
the purchase money. Tho carbonates were
soon exhausted, however. aud when Mr..
Elkins saw that such was the case he aban-
doned Colorado for more promising and
profitable fields of entepriser.
Mr.. Eikins' name has been frequently
mentioned In connection with tho secretary
ship OF war ever since Secretary Proctor's
retirement was announced, but his WE'LL
known sympashies with Mr.. Blaine have
caused the prospect Of his attaining cab
met position to be severely discounted.
Mr.. Elkins is almost giant IL size, stand
ing feet inches In hight with fine
physique and a ruddy, beardless boyish
face. Fortunate in the possession Of superb
health and exuberant spirits, he inspires
every one around him with good nature.
He Is a man Of large and charitable nature
to whom few worthy people appeal In vain
for assistance
He Is emphaticalIy a man of affairs, to
whose nature idleneSs Is utterly antagonistic
Whatever he has In hand calls forth all bis
energies, whether IL be the organization of
new railroad company or the management
OF difficult political campaign. He hes no
vices. He neither smokes nor drinks, sx-
cepting a little wine at table. He lives in-
extensively for a man Of his large means,
and is rapidly increasing the enormous fort
une which he already possesses. Although
only 30 years OF age, every public man In
the country knows him, and wherever he
goes he is continually receiving and return
ing salutations. HIS memory of faces and
events connected with them is as remarkable
as any other OF his intellectual gifts.
Mr.. Elkins has been married twice. and
has seven children-two daughters by his
first wife, and four Sons and daughter as
the fruits Of second marriage. His
youngest son. now a lad Of 10, bears the
name Of Blaine. Mr.. Elkins' second wife,
the daughter Of ex-senator Davis, Is q
charming and accomplished woman. She
was at one time reigning belle In the
highest social circles at Washington, and
she is still remarkably beautiful. Her life
is devoted to her children, and she is seen
but seldom In public places or social gather
ings.