Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-04-07
3, AFTER REGULAR
FIFTEEN YEARS, STARTS SEN.
ATE RESURRECTION.
SAYS PAYNE TARIFF BILL
UNFAIR TO THE SOUTHLAND
Charges That New England Domin-
ates Committees of the Upper House
of consress-Elkins Once Captured
by Younger Gang of GuerilIas-Has
Had Variesated Career.
Especial Correspondence.1

Washington, April 7.-Stephen Ben
ton Elkins, senior senator from West
Virginia, is native of Ohio, but was
raised in Missouri, and there received
his education. 1t is not generally
known but is a fact that he has had
a career which for variety of experi-
ences and range of adventures out
rivals that of almost any other man in
the upper chamber. Just now, after a
service of fifteen years in the senate
as confirmed regular, he has taken
the leadership of an insurgent rnove-
ment of his own, protesting against
the treatment which the Payne tariff
bill gives the Industries of the new in
dustrial south, and also against the
domination of New England in the
great committees of the senate.
Senator Elkins' autobiography in the
congressional directory omits mention
of one of the most remarkable Incl
dents in his life. He graduated from
the university of Missouri in 1860, and
later became a union soldier during
the civil war. Nowhere was local bit
terness more intense than in Missouri,
outlawry which for many years after
the war was continued by the James,
Younger gangs of bandits. During the
war these bandits carried on their
strife with utter recklessness of hu-
man life. Young Elkins was captured
by a gang of the guerillas, of which
Cole Younger was a member
The ethics of the game as the guer-
illas played in those days prescribed
that the captive be shot. Younger, for
some reason had taken a fancy to the
young prisoner, and insisted that he
be spared. 1t was finally granted, and
Elkins soon afterward went to New
Mexico, where he practiced law and
politics. and became great property
owner, laying the foundation of his
fortune.
Many years after the war. Cole
Younger and two of his brothers were
captured following their raid and rob-
berry of bank at Mortified, MINI.
Cole Younger was sent to the Still
water, Mimi, pententiary for life and
served some twenty years. Then. in
bad health and broken and repentant,
he asked a pardon.
The effort for that pardon developed
nation wide interest. There was bitter
opposition, and also earnest insistence
that 1t be granted. No man had larger
influence toward securing 1t at last
than the man whose life Younger had
saved. Senator Elkins, far from for
getting the service that had been done
him, worked as hard for the aged out
law as the famous old brigand had
worked for him. In the end the pardon
was secured, and Younger proved the
good judgment of the men who got it
for him by living worthy life there
after. ~
Senator Elsins came to congress as
delegate from New Mexico, and while
here became acquainted with Senator
Henry Gassway Davis of West Vir-
ginia, whose daughter he married. AS
a result of this, after leaving the
house. he moved to West Virginia and
engaged in business. He already was
wealthy, but the great present day
fortune has been made mainly in
West Virginia 1t is said that he is
one of the richest men in the country,
and to many who are best acquainted
with his affairs il would be no sur
prise to be assured that he is worth
a hundred million dollars. He came
to the senate fifteen years ago.
Everybody wonders whether they
eat 'em all. up at the White House.
The 'possums, that is, President Taft