Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-07
SENATOR ELk|NS
DEATH VICTIM
PASSES AWAY AT MIDNIGHT
THURSDAY AFTER LlNGER-
ING ILLNESS.
BLOOD POISON THE CAUSE
Wife, Daughter and Four Sons Were
Present When he 6reathed His
Last; Long Career in Pub
lie Service.

WdSLIH6NOIl, l.. VI uoA. VA
stephen s, Ellsins Of West Virginia
died at midnight Thursday. At his bed
side were his wife, his daughter, Kath-
crime and four sons, David, Richard
Stephen and Blaine, and the phys
icians. Death was due to sepicaemia or
blood poisoning He was conscious un-
til within a half hour Of death.
Senator Elkins became i'll in the
early summer at his home in Elkins.
w. va. He was kept in strict confnc-
ment there and only the members .!
his Immediate family were allowed to
see him. On Nov. 8, when he was re-
moved to washington in private car
he was reported considerably improv-
ed. Physicians declared that he might
possibly be able to take his seat in the
senate at the opening OF congress.
Senator Elkirs' sailment had never
become definitely known. In the sum
rf1er he vas reported to be suffering
from intestinal trouble, In many re-
spects similar. to acute indigestion. Al
other times physicians are said to have
believed him affected with nervous
n alady.
Last week it was reported that open
air treatment had been advised and
that room on the roof Of his home
would be arranged for him.
According to the physicians in at,
tendance last night, the senator died
from complication Of diseases arising
from septicaemia.
Though no funeral arrangements
have been announced, it is probable
that the senator will be buried at Ell :
kins, w. Va.
Born in Ohio in 1e41.
Stephen Benton Elkins was born in
Ohio in lS41 When still very young,
he went with his family to Missouri.
He was one of the first graduates from
the University of Missouri and as early
as 1854 went to New Mexico. where
he lived for a number OF years, becoln-
ing in succession attorney general,
United States district attorney, terri
torial senator and delegate i'm con-
gress.
on-in-Law Of Former Senator Davis.
While serving as delegate in con-
gress Mr.. Elkins married the youngest
daughter of Henry Gassaway Davis.
then senator from West Virginia. Soon
after his marriage he established a
home in that state and there he built
up great fortune, largely through
coal and timber eras. He also was III
terested -infrailroads In and out Of the
state. He was chairman of the repub-
lican national committee which elect
ed Benjamin Harrison to the presiden-
y
tary Of war; His first election to the
senate took place in 1895.
Life Saved by Younger Brothers.
While residing in Missouri. Mr.. FL
kins taught school, and to this circum-
stance owed his escape from one Of the
most thrilling situations in his event.
full life. Riding along lonely road
IN the western part Of the state, he
was seized by a squad from the band
H~I - rx,,n Xviii n nyro 0tyNtlI
He was charged with being spy. and
the penalty was death. Fortunately
for Mr.. Elkins, he was placed in the
care Of two brothers who recognized
the young man as their former teacher
and they eontrived his escape. They
were Jim and Cole Younger, who aft
EDWARDS became notorious as outlaws
When, after the close OF the war, the
Youngers were captured and sent 20
prison on a life sentence for robbing
q bank in Minnesota. Mr.. Elkins exert
ed his influence to procure their release
and ultimately succeeded.
Mr.. Elkins was a consistent advo-
cate OF statehood for New Mexico and
came verv near having the territory
admitted in 1875.
Gossip Concerning Daughter.
Senator Flkins' friends believe that
the recent gossip connecting the name
Of his daughter, Miss Katherine FL
kins, with that of the duke Of the
Abruzzi was n source OF such en-
barsssment to him, but, II such was
the case, he never indicated it by his
manner. He discussed all the rumors
Of marriage with frankness, but, while
expressing admiration for the young
Italian, always denied any knowledge
OF any understanding between him and
hts daughter.