Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-10
RICHARD T. BEIRNE.
UNEXPECTED ANNOUNCEMENT OF
HIS DEATH AT ASHLAND.
Sketch of the Life and Services Of This
Brilliant Editor, Courageous Demo-
crat, and Polished Gentleman.
ASHLAND, Va, February 9, 1891.
D.. II.

leoIutry y. 1891, AZ twenty minutes 10
o'clock p. NJ, Richard Foulkes Beirne, in
the thirty-ffth year OF his age.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they
| shall see God"
The above telegram was received at the
Dispatch Office last night, and though it
was known in the city that Mr.. Beirne had
been declining for some days, the sad an
nouncement was entirely unexpected. No
further particulars could be obtained last
night.
Below is given sketch of the life of the
talented editor and polished gentleman
whose acquaintance and friendship ex-
tended not only TO ali the people Of his
own State, but far beyond:
Sketch Of His Life.
Richard Foulke Beirne was n son Of the
late Patrick Beirne, of the well-known
West Virginia family of that name who
immigrated from Ireland to Monroe county
(then in Virginia) about the year 1913.
His mother was a native of Philadelphia,
her maiden name being Foulke. The sub
lect of this sketch was born in LewIsburg,
Greenbrier county, then Virginia, June II,
1856. Until he attained his fourteenth year
be resided principally in his native town,
attending among Others the school con-
Quoted by Alexander f. Mathews. promi-
nent lawyer of West Virginia, where he
received the foundation of a thorough
classical education. In 1870 he entered
Preston and Olin Institute at Blacksburg,
Va. and, after pursuing his studies there
for two years. matriculatcd at the age OF
sixteen at Randolph-Macon College.
LIBERAL EDUCATION AND MARRIAGE.
Upon completing his college course Gn
which he made specially OF English
under that distinguished scholar, Professor
Thomas Il. Price, NJ. A.. LII ID Mr..
Beirne determined 10 90 abroad in order 10
perfect himself in the modern languages,
and having conceived a partiality for
Leipsic, spent some time attending lee
lures at that celebrated seat of learn
ing. In 1877 Alr. Beirne returned TO Virginia
and was united in marriage to Clara Haxall,
daughter of the late II. BIllopp Grundy, or
Ashland. Hanover county, but almost I'M
mediately sailed for Europe again. This
time he remained abroad year. making
with his wife tour of the Continent and
supplementing the high degree of scholar
ship he had attained tat Leipsic with the
fruits of keen and intelligent observation
and practical use of the modern lam
guages.
BACK TO VIRGINIA.
Mr.. Beirne returned TO Virginia the
second time in May. 1878. and made his
home in Ashland, which continued to he
his residence to the time of his death. DE
and his family came to Richmond once or
twice tor short stay but never with the
idea of making this his home. From early
youth he had been possessed by an am
bition to make journalism his profession,
and consequently when an opportunity
was afforded him of purchasing a third
interest in the Richmond state. then owned
oil 1t-f ot .lnln
Hampden ChambeTlayne. he eagerly seized
it, Subsequently he purchased An addl-
tional sixth interest in that journal, and at
the death of Captain Chamberlayne became
owner of the entire property.
AS AN EDITORIAL WRITER.
While thoroughly educated in letters.
Mr.. Beirne had recognized from the first
that journalism was q distinct field
and matter Of training. He therefore
applied himself TO his editorial duties with
all the powers of his mind, and the
SEQUEL proved that he made no
mistake in following the promptines
of his ambition. 1t was not long
before his work made recognized impress
sion upon the editorial columns of the
state and he ranked with any Journalist in
the country as q master of graceful, clear
cut. incisive, and vigorous English. AS
political writer he was on the aggressive
and made his paper especially notable by
the fierce, uncompromising war he waged
upon Mahoneism.
RESORTS TO THE CODE.
On two occasions Mr.. Beirne's editorial
structures led 10 q resort to the code. The
first of these affairs was with the late III.
III. Riddleberger, afterward United States
senator from Virginia. The parties met
about SIX miles from Ashland on the Old
Richmond Telegraph road, but at
the last moment 1t was discovered
that the caps had been lost. Mr.. Belrne's
party requested that time be allowed them
to procure caps, but this request was re-
fused. Subsequently Mr. Berne's seconds
obtained the necessary articles, but further
hostilities were declined by the Riddleber-
ger party, the reason assigned by the latter
being that they had similar engagement
elsewhere.
DEIRNE MET RLAM.
The second affair was with Mr.. William
G. Elan. editor of the Richmond Whiq,
and is fresh in the public mind. A series
of articles in the STATE brought forth re-
piy in the Wing which caused Mr.. Beirne
to send Mr., Elan a peremptory challenge.
The parties met first near Hanover
junction. but were interrupted by the
officers of the law. Mr.. Beirne escaped to
West Virginia. and Mr.. Elan was. it is
understood, secreted by friends IN the
neighborhood. Through the medium of
special messengers and cypher kilograms a
second meeting was arranged for point
near WaynesbOro', Augusta county, Va.
The parties were promptly on the ground
at sunrise, MIR. Beirne having come the
entire distance from West Virginia
by county roads and taken several days,
travelling night and day, to make the trip.
At the first fire neither was hurt, but Mr..
Elam's ball passed through the skirt OF
Mr.. Beirnes coat. At the second fire MIR.
Elan was shot through the thigh and
severely. and at one time 1t was thought
dangerously, wounded.
POLITICAL CAREER.
In 1880 Mr.. Beirne represented the
county of Hanover in the State Democratic
Convention which elected delegates to the
National Democratic Convention held IN
Cincinnati. He was also o delegate
from the same county to the Lynch
burg Convention of 1888, and being
APPOINTED chairman of the Third
congressional district i'll that position no
less than as an editor wasinvaluable to the
party. In addition to attending to the
most minute details in the matter OF or
eaniZing his district he took the stump
and was indefatigable IN his efforts to
arouse tho people TO realization OF the
issues Of the hour.
CHARACTERISTICS AS sPEAkkk.
From the beginning he threw his whole
soul into the canvass and nothing that
executive ability, argument persuasion or
nersonal discontinue could accomplish
was left unaccomplished in his efforts to
merit the trust imposed in him. MIR. Beirne
was as effective as a speaker as he was as
n writer. He made no attempts at
what Is generally termed oratory. but had
uerfect control over his thoughts. COM
handed a rich and expressive vocabulary,
md impressed his auditors by his earnest
ness and directness. He came TO the point
at once with convincing logic and telling
invective.
CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.
Prior to the meeting of the State Demo-
cratic Gubernatorial Convention which
nominated Fitzhugh Lee Mr.. Beirne was
repeatedly spoken of by friends and news
papers throughout the State in connection
with that high office, but would not have
reached the age at which. under
tbe Constitution he would have
been eligible by the time that the
Governor was inducted into office. F,
He was. however, elected by acclamation
a delegate to the National Democratic
Of hA