Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-01-07
SENATOR ELKINS' WORK Is DONE
West Virginia's Senior
Senator Passed Away
After Long Illness

End Came While Surrounded by His
Family--lIlness Was A Stubborn
one-Had Suffered For Several
Months and Death Was Not unex-
pected.
Washington, D. c., Jan, 5.--Senator
Stephen b. Elkins, of West Virginia,
died at midnight last night. At his
bedside were his wife, his daughter.
Katherine, and four sons, David,
Richard stephen and Blaine, and the
physicians. Death was due to blood
poisoning. He was conscious until
within half hour of death
In the early evening there were per-
sistent rumors in Washington that
the Senator's condition had become
grave and fears were expressed that
he might not live through the night.
The Elkins family, however, were
hopeful to the last and to the numer-
GUS inquiries which poured in at the
Elkins home encouraging response
was givsn.
Senator Elkins became i'll IN the
early summer at his home at Elkins,
w. Va. He was kept in strict confine-
nent there and only the members of
his immediate family were allowed to
see him. On November 9 when he
was removed to Washington in a pri-
vate car he was reported consider
ably improved. Physicians decided
that he might possibly be able to take
his seat in the Senate at the opening
OF Congress.
Senator Elkins' ailment has never
become definitely known. During the
summer he was reported to be suger-
ing from intestinal trouble in many
respects similar to acute ind gestion.
AT other times physicians are said to
have believed him afflicted with
nervous malady. Last week il was
reported that open air treatment had
been advisedNand that a room on the
roof of his home would be arranged
for him.
According to the physicians in at
tendance. the Senator died from
complication of diseases arising from
septocaemia.
No arrangements for the funeral
have been announced, but it will pro-
badly be at Elkins, w. Va.
Eikins A Notable Figure.
With the death of Senator stephen
u. Elkins there passes from the halls
Of Congress another member of the
"Old Guard" which was led by Sena-
tor Hale and Aldrich.
A fitting Characterization once Civ
en- this national figure was that he.
was the biggest, broadcast, braniest
man at Washington" His career in
Congress placed him foremost among
the leaders Of his party and his adj
vice was always sought on questions
OF import in the lawmaking bodies.
He was born in Perry County, o.,
September 26, 1871. His ancestors
We're Virginians, who had removed to-
Ohio in Jefferson's time and bought 4
great lot of land in the southern part
VI Vie otobc. NHch Tic MdS Qulle
young. Senator Elkins' parents remov-
cd TO Missouri and settled at West
pert, near the present site of Kansas
City. Kansas City at that time was a
mere station on the routes of the
great westward-bound wagon and pack
trains
Elk'ns was brought up in the midst
Nof political struggles and remember
ei well John Brown and the Kansas
city trouble. The country was the
center OF turmoil in the ante-rebellion
days, and Westport was full of border
ruffans.
After training in the public school
of Westport, Young Elkins entered
the University Of Missouri where he
staiC-5d law. This was in 1860 and
when Elkins had been out Of college
only a few months, the civil war
broke out.
Saw Service in Civil War.
Enlistng in Kansas regiment. Et
kins was made captain of a militia
company under Gen. tom" Ewing,
and saw much active service. The
fighting around Kansas was just as
severe, the Senator said in his later
days, as in the East
Senator Elkins left the army about
eight months before the war closed. !