The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1911-01-25
.ELK|NS OWED LIFE TO
BANDIT COLE YOUNGER
NENAToR STEPHEN B. Ell

ENATOR STEPHEN b. Ell
K1NS of West Virginia, who
~ died recently, has had his fame
as a great railroad pioneer anu
as secretary of war In the cabinet of
President Harrison obscured in the
popular mind by the rumors about the
engagement of his daughter to the
Duke of the AbruzzI. He was born
In Perry county, o.. on Sept 90. 1871.
His father was farmer and moved
while he was still boy TO Missouri
He was graduated from the university
of that state IN 1850 and took up the
study of law
Just as he was admitted to the bar
the civil war start Vi. aud Mr. Elkins
showed his individualitl 10y breaking
away from his family and all his home
ties to enlisl IN he t'ninn army His
father and brother fongn for the con
federates. but be joined the MiSsouri
militia and servel lnig ruou-h Ia ciiiil
the rank of.caWaln.
Soon after he joined he ricf with an
adventure viii y nearly cpl him his
life. With his brother he lrl lrft l,ie
Union lines TO visit woman friend o
the family. and as hp was returning
he ran into picket of Qu1ntriil'.
guerrillas They were npteh for theiI
brutality and were known to shoot all
their prisoners.
Saved by Cole YOUNGER.
Mr.. Ellzins was taken to the gucr
rilla camp and there fortunately rec.
ognized Cole Younger. an old friend
and pupil of his. Younger interceded
with Quantril for the future senator
and obtained a respite. AS the guer-
rillas moved off Mr.. Elkins had TO
ride with them. but as he reached
the crossroads galloped Off for his life.
Younger held his captors in check.
and he escaped. Younger, after the
war, became bandit and was a mem
Der of the Jesse James gang He was
sentenced to Imprisonment for life.
and years after Senator Ellkins not
only helped to secure his release. but
received him at his own home when
he was a free man.
Before the war was over Mr.. Elkins
left the army and in 1864 struck across
the plains to New Mexico. then Dor
der territory of which two-thirds of
the population were Spanish. He ac-
quired that language in the course of
q year and soon secured a large law
ooff To oil 70 Iacr
islature and also served as territorial
attorney general. President Johnson
made him territorial United States dis
trict attorney. and he was one of the
few New Mexico officials whom Gen
grail Grant did not dismiss.
1t fell to his lot as federal official
to enforce the act of congress prohib-
iting slavery. At that time there were
in New Mexico thousands of peons
who to all intents and purposes were
enslaved by the Mexican residents
The abuse had been tolerated so long
that it had become a regular social
custom. but Mr.. Elkins. in the face of
vigorous opposition. insisted on the
restoration of these unfortunates to
freedom.
But besides enforcing the law he
was amassing fortune. His law
practice was lucrative. and he had lit
tie competition. In particular he was
associated with the Maxwell land
grant. which. through his loyal serv.
fees. received the confirmation of the
courts.
Reelected Despite Defamation.
Mr.. Elkins first appeared in Wash
ington as the delegate to congress
from the territory of New Mexico in
1873. His popularity among the Span
fish secured him the handsome major