Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-11-26
sen. ELKINS' WRATH.
Lost His Temper While ON the Wit
ness Stand in the Rencher Ger
rillOs Coal Lands Suit.

Senator Stephen B. Elkins, of West
Virginia, lost his temper under cross-ex-
animation during the trial of William O.
Rencher's suit against him for the recov-
cry of one-third interest in COG acres OF
coal lands near Santa Fe, N. NJ, in the
New York supreme court yesterday.
On direct examination Senator Elkins
had denied that Mr.. Rencher had acquired
an interest in the lands. He had sworn
that he had II erely given to Mr.. Renoher
an option to buy one-third interest at
the same price as he had paid for it
$1.25 an acre. Mr.. Renchor, he had testi
fed, assigned the option to Thomas B.
Catron, who purchased the one-third in
terest.
Senator Elkins was in a hurry to get to
Washington, and betrayed much impa-
thence when Austin G. Fox, attorney for
the plaintiff, arose with great elaboration
and prepared leisurely to cross-examine
him. In answer to Lawyer Fox's ques-
tions he testified that he had been ad-
mitted to the bar in 1854. His office was
in Santa Fe. He evaded all of Lawyer
Fox's efforts to fad out what salary he
drew as counsel of the mining company
Senator, when you bought those lands
from the government for 1925 an acre.
said LAWYER Fox, "didn't you know that
they were coal lands, and therefore worth
at least 500 an acre?"
The senator replied that his knowledge
on that point was very indefinite. His
memory of his own private matters Of
that period (1S7D as exploited by his an
swers to Lawyer Fox's queries was so
bad that the attorney expressed his dis
satisfaction, saying:
81 ask your honor to apply the strict
rules of evidence to the witness, even if
he is United States senator"
Justice Patterson directed Senator
Elkins to give clear explanations, SO far
as he could, of all the points covered by
the questions. Lawyer Fox continued
his cross-examination and finally implied
that Senator Elkins was not adhering
strictly to the truth.
Senator Elkins became red in the face,
and he seemed about to retort angrily,
when Justice Patterson interposed. His
honor again warned the senator that he
must give direct answers to the attorneys
questions, but the statesman's testimony
continued to be unsatisfactory to Lawyer
Fox, who told him so plainly.
Then it was that Senator Elkins lost
his temper. Planting both hands on his
knees, which he gripped as if to hold him
self down, and looking squarely at the
lawyer, he said, with an ominous ring in
his voice:
"If you and l could have talk out.
side, at the proper time, might answer
YOU"
That did not daunt Lawyer Fox. He
flushed painfully, but there was not a
tremor in his tones as he met the senator's
threatening glances and retorted:
IL might meet you-at the proper
time"
Justice Patterson pounded the desk
with his gavel and said, sternly:
Gentlemen, you must both come to
order Immediately"
After the trial Lawyer Fox was asked il
he regarded Senator Elkins' remark as q
challenge. Mr.. Fox laughed heartily and
said he didn't think there would be any
duel, but added:
~ guess ratified the senator"
Senator Elkins was interviewed while
he was rushing through City Hall park or
his way to Washington.
"Did you intend to challenge Mr.. Fox
senators"
"Oh, no, NOT at ALL" he exclaimed. Gal
that business was only little bit of by
play on the part of Mr.. Fox, little trich
of the profession. I'm up to those
things; I'm something of lawyer my
self"
Mr.. Rencher's testimony during the
early part of yesterdays session was to
the effect that he had located certain coal