Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-01-05
West Virginia Statesman Passed
Away Surrounded by His
Family.
HAD BEEN I'LL MANY MONTHS
Was Author Of Antitrust Bill
First to Suggest Building of
Panama Canal by Army
Engineers.

Washington. Jan. 4.-Stephen B.
Elkins Of West Virginia died at mid
night tonight At his bedside were
his wife, his daughter, Katherine, and
four sons. David, Richard, Stephen
and Blaine. 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 liev through the night. The
family. however was hopeful to the
last and to the numerous inquiries
which poured in at the Elkins home,
encouraging response was given.
Senator Elkins became Ill in the
early summer at his home at Elkins,
W. Va. Fe was kept in strict confne-
mont 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 considerably
improved. Physicians declared that he
might possibly be able to take his
seat in the Senate at the opening of
Congress.
Senator Elkinss allment had never
become definitely known. During the
summer, he was reported to be suffer
ing from intestinal trouble in many res
poets similar to acute indigestion. At
other times physicians are said to have
believed him afflicted with nervous
malady. Last week 1t was reported that
ope nair treatment had been advised
and that a room on the roof of his home
would be arranged for him.
I According to the physicians IN atten-
dance tonight. the senator died from
complication Of diseases arising from
| septtcaeria,
During 4 large part Of the time OF his
service in the Senate, Mr.. Elkins was
chairman of the important COMMITTEES
on interstate commerce. Hence he had
charge of the Hepburn rate regulation
bill of 1907 and of the administration
bill of 1910 A railroad builder and own
er himself, Mr.. ElEdns had intimate
knowledge of all the questions affected
by this legislation
Mr.. Elkins especially liked to direc
legislation which dealt with every day
problems. such as the tariff, the regu-
lation of the railroads and the de-
velopment of waterways He aspired
TO a place on the committee on inance
and his failure to attain such position
probably was the greatest disappont-
ment Of his senatorial career.
The committee on finance deals with
tho tariff and Mr.. Elkins made open
protest agninst the action Of the Sem
ate In overlooking the republicans of
the South in filling tho committees, and
on one occasion, early in the 61st Con-
gress, he went to the verge Of threaten
| ing 70 Join tho insurgents In protesting
against the makeup OF the committee
| ACHIEVEMENTS TO HIS CREDIT.
Among the achievements standing to
senator's credit Is the passge Of the FL
! kirs antitrust bill soon after he en-
tered the Senate, He It was also. who
first suggested the use Of the corps of
engineers OF the army IN building the
! Panama canal.
| Mr. Elkins was born In Ohio in 1sE.
| While still very young, he went 10 Mis-
sour1. H was one of the first graduates
| from the University OF Missouri. and IN
1854 went TO New Mexico. where he lived
for number Of years. becoming In
| succession attorney general, United
| States district attorney, territorial sena-
tor ana delegate In Congress from that
Territory.
| While serving as delegate in Con-
gress, Mr. Ellsrs married the eldes.
| daughter OF Henry Gassaway Davis,
then senator from West Virginia. aooA
nfterward he established his home IN
that State and there built up a great
| fortune, largely through the develop
ment Of the natural resources OF the
state. He also assisted In building
many railroads in and out Of the
state.
Tho Republican party In West Vir-
ginia owes much to Mr. Elk.ns. From
the time he settled there he was ac-
tive in promoting the party interests,
and brought his State into the told.
lie became chairman OF the republican
national committee for the Garrison
campaign and became Mr., Harrison's
secretary OF war. He was first elect
ed to the Senate in 1895
WAS TO BE HUNG AS A SPY.
While living in Missouri, Mr., Elllns
taught school, and to this circumstance
| owed his escape from one OF the most
thrilling situations OF his eventful life
Riding one day toward the close OF the
| civil War along a lonely road In the
western part OF the State he was seized
b va squad from the band of the con-
federate guerilla, Quantrell. lie was
charged with being a spy, and the penalty
was death. Fortunately for Elkins, he
| was placed in the care OF two brothers
| who recognized the young man as theii
former teacher. AppreciatinS his peril
they contrived his escape.
The senator's new found friends were
| Jim and Cole Younger, who afterward
| became notorious as the most daring Of
| the band OF outlaws led by the James
| brothers. When, after the close OF the
| war, the Ioungers We're sent to prison
| on life sentence, Mr., Elklns recalled
| their kindness to him. lie eNcrted hi
| influence to procure their release and VI