Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-01-12
The Death of Senator EIkins.

dLHOuHSSu III idSt Week NSRtSlClI Wa
held last Saturday at EIkins, this State
the body being inferred in the family plo
in the cemetery at the edge of the town
Many distinguished persons in public life
attended the funeral from Washington
and Governor Glasscock and most of the
State officials of West Virginia were pres
ent.
Although the family or physicians
would say little about the disease thai
finally ended in the death of Senator El-
kins, iit is known that he practically
starved TO death. For months the Sena-
tor had been fightingin vain against star
vation in the midst of plenty. Nothing
that his immense wealth could provide
could nouriSh the massive frame thai
gradually, under the ravages of his all
ment, fell away almost to shadow. Ar
odd sort of blood-poisoning was the ap-
parent cause of the Senator's condition
Virulent germs in the blood prevented all
food assimilation. Every kind of nour-
ishment, brought from near and far in an
attempt TO overcome the ailment, turned
practically to poison in the stomach and
failed to benefit the thinning blood and
emaciated body.
Mr.. ElkinS first experience with the ia
tai sickness followed his arduous work
on the railroad bill in the Senate last win
ter. He was stricken in New York and
was hurried TO his magnificent home al
Elkins, where the family and surgeons
exhausted every resource OF wealth and
medicine in vain attempts to check the
ravageS OF the illness. The Senator'S
strong constitution enabled him t. rally
several times during the summer. On
November 9 he insisted on being taken
to Washington, although so weak that he
had to be carried from the train to his au-
tomobile. His family continued to hope
that he was improving until last Wednes-
day evening. when a sudden relapse oc-
Cured, and despite every effort of emf
nent physicians, death enSued at mid
night.
Stephen Benton Elkins was born in
Perry county, Ohio, September 10, lS4l.
His father was farmer In his early
boyhood the family moved to Ohio. Mr..
ElkinS received an excellent education in
the public schools and at the university
of the State, and displayed ambition even
in school, where he applied himself so
diligently as to attract attention. He
graduated in 1860 at the head Of his class.
After fitting himself for practice Of the
law, he was admitted to the bar in 1863.
During the war he joined the Union
forces, and for while served on the
Missouri border, with rank of captain.
The spirit OF adventure and desire TO
practice his profession in a field which
was not overcrowded led him in 1864 TO
cross the plains to New Mexico, then a
rough border country, inhabited by a
population two-thirds OF which was
Spanish. The life of the Territory was
full of hardship and danger at that time,
but presented opportunities for success
to an enterprising man. Finding it nee
ceSsary at once to master the Spanish
language, Mr.. Elkins became proficient
in that tongue within one year. Stalwan
and capable, he soon attracted important
clients and large practice, and gained
popularity and influence. In 1866 he was
elected TO the Legislature. In 1867 he
rose to the position of Attorney-General
of New Mexico. In 1873 he was elecled
as delegate to Congress from New Mexi-
co, and was reelected III 1875.
While in Congress MIR. Elkins married
a daughter of former Senator Henry G.
Davis, of West Virginia, woman ofgreat
refinement and social ability. -Four years
of experience in Washington brought Mr..
Elkins well into the arena OF public affairs.
He was a strenuous Republican and be-
came one ofthe partyleaders, being in 1875
made a member of the Republican Ma
tional Committee. Upon this committee
he served during three presidential cam
paigns. In 1884 the executive committee
elected him chairman. December IL,
1891, he became Secretary Of War under
President Harrison. He was especially
well fitted to perform the duties of this
office, having had large acquaintance
with the affairs of the War Department in
the West.
About 1878 he removed from New
Mexico to West Virginia, and there de-
voted himself, in partnership with Mr..
Davis, to the development OF the rail-
roads of the State and the coal and tim
Der lands. Success followed. He had
been vice-president OF the West Virginia
Central and Pittsburg Railway Company
since its organization and of the Pied
mont and Cumberland Railroad, and was
president of the Davis Coal and Coke
Company.
In February, 1894, Mr.. Elkins was
elected to the United States Senate to
succeed Johnson N. Camden. His term
expired in 1901 and he was reelected
His next election was in 1907. His home
was the beautiful country seat OF Hallie-
hurst at Elkins. This large mansion
stands upon a mountain site OF unusual
beauty, commanding a magnificent view
OF the valley beneath and the forests and
mountain peaks which frame the scene.
Personally, Senator Elkins was mag
netic man. In the Senate he enjoyed the
universal esteem OF many colleagues and
won an influential position. He had
keen and lively sense of humor and ap-
,,rac;o{ad a o1od story In aDDeardnce