The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-05
E[k|hs PASSES
OVER THE RIVER
NEST VIRGINIA sen tToR NIRTJ-
ALLY sTARvE> IN MIDST OF
PLENTY.
A SUCCESSFUL CAREER
DEAD MAN AND HIS FATHER-IN-
LAW. HENRY G DAVIS, HAD
MADE GREAT FORTUNES IN
WEST yIRGINIA.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.--A slow.
lingering death. practically Of star
pstiop, was the fate of senator Ste
phen H. Elkins, who IL m"urned to-
day by ouoiai Washington.
for months the sena,ur from West
Virginia han-heen- lighting !A-Nala
wgutrst sturvutt0U III me midst at
plenty Nothing that his immense
wealth could provide could nOurisl
the massive frame that gradually, un-
der the ravages of his ailment, fell
away almost TO "a shaIow. An odd
sort Of blood poisoning was the APP
parent cause CT the senator's condi-
tion. A yirulent germ in the bloou
prevented all food assimilation. Every
kind OF nourishment, brought near
anu far in an attempt TO overcome the
atlment, turned practically to poison
in the stomach of the statesman ana
failed to- benefit the thinning biood
and emaciated body.
Senator Elkins' first experience witt
the fatal sickness followed his ardu-
Gus work on the railroad bill in the
Senate last winter. He was hurried
to his magnificent home at Elkins,
W. Va, where family and surgeons
exhausted every resource Of wealth
and medicine in vain attempts to check
stor's strong constitution enabled hin.
to rail-. several times during the sum
mer. On November y he insisted on
being brought TO Washington, al
though SO weak that he had to be
carried from the train to his auto
mobile His family was induced to
believe that he was improving Hnth
last evening, when a sudden relapse
brought death in a few hours. deaf.
coming at midnight.
President Taft, accompanied by
Captain Butt. his military aide, calfc
to-day at the Elkins residence to e&-
tend his condolences to the family.
Ali day long Senators. Representatives
and officials In every branch of the
government called at the Elkins home.
Plans We're under consideration to-
day for the holding OF a Senate fu-
neral" la which case Senator Elkius
body would be taken 10 the Senate
chamber for services
A Successful Career.
Stephen Benton Eikins was born
in Perry county Ohio, September 20,
164I. Hts father was a farmer. In
his early boyhood the family moyeG
TO Ohio.
mir. .Elkins received an excellent
education in the public schools am,
at the university of the State. anu
displayed ambition even in school,
where he applied himself SO diligent-
ly as to attract attention. He gradu
atsd in 1850 at the head OF his class.
After fitting himself for practice o.
the law. be was admitted to the bar
in 1868. During the war he toine4
the Union forces, and for wh4
served on the Missouri border. witt.
the rank of captain
In 1866 he was elected TO the Leg
fslature. His speeches in that body
revealed great force Of character an
devotion to the welfare OF the Terri
tory. In 1867 he rose to the position
Of attorney general Of New Mexico.
In 1868 President Johnson appoint
ed Mr.. Elkins United States District
Attorney OF the Territory, and he was
one OF the few officials OF that admin
tstration whom President Grant diu
Rot remove
In 1859 Mr. Elkins was elected
president Of the Farsi National Bank
of Santa Fe. and held this position
for thirteen wears.
In 1873 Mr.. Elklns received an cleo
ton az Delegate to Congress from
New Mexico, defeating his opponent,
"a Mexican, by four thousand MAORI
~. In Congress he served his con-
stituents so well that IN 1875, while
travelling in Europe notwithstanding
a positive refusal 10 accept the office
again. Ais district re~eles,tpyi frifs hand
somely. He could do no less than ac-
cept the honor thus bestowed and
serve a second term In Congress he
quickly gained prominence by indus
try. ability and effective support of
important measures.
While in Congress Mr., Elkius mar
RED a daughter ~f former senator
Henry 9, Davis, Of West Virginia, n
woman Of great refinement and so
cial ability.
Four years OF experience in Wash
ington brought MIR. Elkins well into
lhe arena of public affairs From the
beginning an active Republican. he
favored especially the policy Of pro-
lection. His advocacy Of measures