The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-25
Was a Prominent Figure in the Poll
ticaIHistory Of the Old Dominion.
BORE. SCARS OF MANY BATTLES.
For Many Years Was Through His
Paper the Recognized Mouth
Piece Of the !" Rcaujustcr "
Party aud Won for Himself
Fame and Kcnown-A
Sketch of His Career.

NORFOLK, FEB. 2i.-colonel william
c. Elan, editor-in- chief of the Norfolk
Virginian-Pilot, died at his home, in
Louisa county, to-day. For some time
Colonel Elan had been unwell, but the
end came shortly past O'Clock this af-
ternoon.
Colonel Elan was siXtyfour years Of
age. He is survived by a widow and
family. He was born in Fayetteville,
N. c., but was of Virginia parentage,
and shortly after the war became q
resident of this State.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Colonel William c.. Elam was a native
of North Carolina. At an early age the
support of his widowed mother and family
dcvoved upon him. He entered the Con-
federate service when but youth and
served throughout the war, winning pro-
motion In the line of his duty by deeds of
heroism and gallantry. He was seriously
wounded at Trevillian, In Louisa county,
and was there cared for by the family Of
the present Mrs. Elan. It was then as
the result of the tender ministrationS Of
the young lady who later became his wife
that he subsequently cast his lot with the
people of this State and made it his home.
He located in Virginia shortly after the
war and was identified with various Rich
mond papers, particularly the Richmond
Whig.
Colonel Elan rose from the position of
areporter to that of editor-in-chief of this
paper, the oldest, and at that time, one of
the most influential journals in the State.s
He was at one time assistant to the gifted
and veteran editor, Alexander Moseley.
AS editor of the Whig Colonel Elan won
great distinction. In that capacity he was
early thrown with the late General VIII
liam Malone, the then leader OF the Con-
servative party in the State of Virginia,
and subsequently, and for SO long
preiod, the recognized head of the Repub-
lican party. The Whig was the party
organ of what was known as the Read
juster'' party, also led by General Ma
hone and with this movement Colonel
Elan early cast his lot, and it was as the
editorial writer of the Whis. during the
period that the Readjuster party controll-
ed the State, that Colonel Elan won his
great reputation. 1t was probably the
most exciting political period through
which Virginia ever passed. At that time
there was a greater division among the
white people of the State than has ever
existed since the war, and the feeling be-
tween the. opposing factions was very IN
period that Colonel Elan. with display
of courage and skill rarely equalled. bat
tied for his party's rights and made the
Richmond Whig the oracle of the Read
juster party.
His editorials attracted the attention
of tho entire country, and he was easily
the recognized master Of journalism in
the State. AS the result of his writings
at this period, he became involved in
in tbe 1850 with Col
onel Thomas Smith, of Warrenton. son
Of Ex-Governor William Smith, and Chief
Justice of New Mexico, under the CleVe-
land administrations. This duel was
fought just below Oakwood Cemetery. In
this duel Colonel Elam received wound
in the chin, but was not seriously In
jured.
Some years subsequent he fought
another duel with Colonel Richard
Beirne the editor of the Richmond State.
In this duel, which was fought near Port
Republic, Rockingham county, Colonel
ELAN receiver a severe wound. which
for a time it was feared would prove
fatal, but he recovered. Colonel Beirne.
was not wounded, but the bullet from
Colonel Elam's pistol passed through his
clothing
While of a nature exceedingly retiring
and modest in the extreme, he was
man most courageous, morally and phys
icaily, and was ever ready to resent an
insult, either with pen or the more dan
gerous weapon, the pistol. He was of
delicate STATURE, of an extremely nervous
temperament, and as gentle as child In
manner and disposition, but with all was
as cool and collected as one could we'll
be. even at the mouth of pistol, and
this, too, when 1T was known by all that
he was so near-sighted that he could see
but wsyards ahead of him.
DR.. Lewis Wheat, the physician who ac-
conpanied him on his duels, relates OF
him that in the height of danger he was
as unconcerneG and collected as If en-
ga ged in his usual pastimc Of writing an
editorial or an entertaining article in the
magazine.
Colonel Elam held various positions of
public trust. all Of which he filed with
great credit and satisfaction He was
for four years secretary of the Common
wealth during Governor Cameron's adj
,minis-rarion. He also represented
Louisa county. which he always con-
sidered as his home. in the General AS
sembly, and was one of the party Lead
lers In that body. Subsequently he held
a prominent position in the Department
of the Interior under the Harrison ad-s
ministra ton.
s OF late years Colonel Elam has taken
no active part in politics, especially with
the Republican party, as he differed radi-9
cally with the party as to the silver
question Since that issue became SO !
prominent he. with his usual ardor and
zeal, espoused that cause. hartng ac-
cepted the editorship OF the Norfolk svir-s |
,ginian-Pilot AS the editor Of that
paper he still displayed marked ability |
as an editorial writer.
Colonel Eiam is survived by a widow
and quite n large family of children.
most of whom reside in Louisa. One Of |
hts sons is in government service at |
Washing ton. Colonel Elam was greatly |
beloved and respected by the people |
among whom he lived, and they. with /
his family and a host of friends through |
ont the state@for hut: few men had more
or better; friends-mourn his loss. He /
ontInued son Second PaxaI s3EtaE