The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-03-02
Jhe Messemger.
DEATH CT COL. w. C.. ELAN.

We regret very sincerely to learn OF
he death of Colonel William Cecil
Exam, editor of the Norfolk Virginian-
Plot He was a North Carolinian,
having been born at Fayetteville, LIST
February 1886. He was beyond fair
qpestion one of the three or four ablest,
best finished journalists in his adopt
ed state. He vas par excellence, the
foremost bimetallist press writer IN
Virginia, if we may judge him by COM
parison with such OF the leading
newspapers in that state, to which we
have access. He was a strong, aggreS-
siye. valiant writer, maintaining with
consummate ability his position, and
net afraid to meet any assailant at any
tfsae. We did not know him personal
ls. but admired the Vigor, p~ertinacity
and g~aIlantry with which he conducted
his discussion. He was an intellectual
athlete and yet was courteous, when
courtesy vas the proper bearing. He
impressed us as but few recent journal
lists of the south have impressed us. He
was a writer of genuine excellence, and
ia controversy his seemed
wen nlSn nc8nduSIlDie AiIOIS III
many editors North Carolina has had
there have beer but one or two we
would class with him as an equal. OF
those sent abroad we know of none who
would equal him. Our personal know
ledge of him is too limited to permit
an extended sketch or criticism. He
had been so kind, so courteous to this
uyrifoY that ura foal nc If We had indeed
lost a personal friend. May Gods
eternal peace be with him.. He was
in his 9th year, and had been for
many years in poor health, although
an invincibIe writer sticking to his pro-
fession with undated energy and
pluck in spite of the steady ~encroach-
ments of a fell disease. He had been at
his home in Louisa county for fifteen
months. The Norfolk Landmark says !
of him: ]
He had a distinguished and an
honorable career, and at the time of
his death was one of the very few sur
viVors of what is known as the old re-
ginae' OF Virginia journalism.
In personality, the veteran editor
was exceedingly attractive. Courage |
of an unusual type was one of the con-
SBICoOoo NAoANo OA AAo l
His parents were of Virginia nativ-
ity. He read law under the late Judge
Pearson. He wrote both poetry and
verse at an early age. He fought
through the war in the Asheland Va.)
artillery. a sketch of him in the Land
mark a
Colonel Elan was a second in sever
l1 q affairs of honor and n nTinPinal in 4
three, having been severely |
in two duels. His first u was with
a confederate midshipman during the
civil war, when, not wishing to hurt
his antagonist, he received his fire and
then fired in the air. His second affair
OF honor was with Colonel Thomas
Smith, of ~Fauquier, and afterwards
United States judge for New Mexico.
This duel was fought near lakewood
cemetery, Richmond, when Colonel
Smith shot him through the chin and
mouth, making a desperate wound
which he recovered after a long
time. His third and last duel was with
Colonel r. F. Beirne, editor of the
State of RichmOndS near
that city. resulting in the shooting of
MIR. Elan through both hips. and which
came very near being fatal, his condi-
ton being long extremely critical.
two duelS, the one with Colonel
Smith and the other with Colonel
Beirne, were fought Whlle ne was eui-
tor of the Wing. He was the last man
to a fight a duel, according to the old
recognized code of honor, not only in
Virginia but in the United States"
His own paper in a short editorial
saws of him in we'll chosen phrasing:
LAS an editor he was ~singularly en-
lowed with those qualifications which
fitted him for his profession. Possessed
of rare intellectual attachments. he
used them in the interest of the COM
mon people whom he loved so we'll. An J
erudite scholar, a graceful, powerful
and elegant writer, he never abused
these gifts of nature, but always
sought to cultivate them to the end,
that they might prove of benent 10
others. While entertaining broad ana
liberal ideas upon all subjects, he pos
sessed the courage of his CONVICTIONS
in regard to what he conceived TO De
and what he conceived TO De
wrong: daring always to uphold the
and fearleSsly the other
Even though, at all times, devoid OF
ostentation, and never seeking notorle-
ty in any form, he was, by force OF ma
ture. conspicuous for his strong intel
Iect. his elevated manhood and the IN
herent nobility of his soul. He added
to the honorable profession IN
life. which he had chosen. n IN
the prosecution of which he found ms
chiefest pleasure"