West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1892-09-29
THE ARMY RECORD.
Of Hon" (9) Steve 3. Elkins, Secre-
tary Of War and Great Mogul Of
the Republican Party Of
West Virginia,
Some Mighty Interesting Reading"
For the Old G.. A. X. Veterans.
From the Wheeling Register.

''sN W. We ~ h'
From the Wheeling Register.
The Herdldof Yesterday contained
proof that Steve Elkius, MIR. lIarri.
sons Secretary of War, had served
IN the Confederate army and pre-.
dlctiou that he would find it con.
vcn:ent to be absent fIom the capi.
tai this week during the reunion of
the Grand Army Of the Republic.
Last evening dispatches annouced
the fact that Secretary Elkins was
"Ill." He'll Lot be there. Chica-
go Herdld.
The charge direct is made that
Mr.. Elkins's illness, which was
bulletined all over the country, but
which it has been so difficult to
obtain accurate information about,
although nearly every prominent
paper wired to this city and to their
Washington correspondents for
particulars, was not illness at all,
but n prcconcerted excuse for the
absence of the Secretary of War
FROM the Encampment of the
Grand Army of the Republic ut
Washington.
The Registers columns are opcn
to Mr.. hlkins for denial of this
accusation and also that contained
in the following letters furnished
by the Washington correspondent
of the Chicago Herald. "T. r.
Jones, of Pueblo, Col. >" says this
correspondent, "who Is vouchcd
for by scores of people, was so
astounded when he heard that cx-
Private Steve Elkins, G.. $. A.. had
been appointed Secretary of War
thGt on December p. 1891, he
addressed communication to the
Albuquerque citizen, in which he
said
l have known Steve ElkIns as far
back rs | can remember ANYBODY
except my own family. | think it
was about 1850 that we first met as
boys together in Westport, Mo-, and
for years we were together II great
deal.
His fGther was man of limited
education, and was at one time Il
stage driver. His son was bright
OJy, aud after gong through the
schools of WcstpDrt went TO college
ut Lexington, Mo-, where he gradu-
atcd, aflerward Taught school and
engaged in such work rs could be
had until the war broke out, when
he went into the Confederate army
under General Sterling Price. In
1850 we were both employed by Il
frelghtcr TO accompany wagon
train over the plains, and made the
trip from WcstDort, Mo, to Mcssil-
la. n. NJ. In the winter Of 1864
Steve began reading law with Judge
Knapp ut Mcssilla, and the next
year was admitted to the bar. lie
began the practice Of law at
Sdntp Fe, and since that time has
been pretty well known all through
the west, and for many years has
been well kGOwn all over the conn
try. He was first married to Miss
Jacobs, who died many years ago,
and he since married the daughter
of cx- Senator Davis, West Virginia.
Also the following letters from
judge Downs, of New Mexico, Ste
phen B. Eikins' late place of resi-
dence, written to President Harrison
after the news of his appointment
of Elkns as Secretary Of War:
SANTA FE, n. NJ, Dec. II, 1891.
TO BeyamiH Harrison, President
If the CHited States, Washington,
u. g.:
Your appointment Of S. B. FL
kins, who had neither the physical
nor moral courage to be on either
side Of the late war, is an Insult TO
every Federal and Confederate sol
dIor. Ills conduct has been such
us TO bring rcproach and shame on
tho Republican party.
FRANCIS DOwNs.
or First Wisconsin Battery and 4gth
Wisconsin Infantry.
SANTA FE, n. NJ, Dec. 1s, 1891.
10 Inn. J W. Rpsh, Bashipqloa.
~. e..
Appointment Of Elkins, who was
false TO both sides in the late war.
is an insult to every Federal and
Confederate soldier. Confirmation
seals the fate OF the Republican par
" in next election, especially i'm
Wisconsin and Minnesota, among
the veterans.
FRANCIS Downs.
OF First Wisconsin Battery and 10Th
Wisconsin Infantry.
Judge Downs received no answer
that was satisfactory, and wrote an.
other letter to the President, which
is very interesting. It read