Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-11

Union lines to visit a woman friend of
he ran into a picket of Quantrills
guerrillas. They were noted for their
brutality and were known to shoot all
their prisoners.
Saved by Cole Younger,
Mr.. EIkins was taken TO the guer-
rilla camp and there fortunately rec
ognized Cole Younger. an old friend
and pupil of his Younger interceded
with Quantrill 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 ganoped OF for his life.
Younger held his captors in check,
and he escaped. Younger, after the
war, became a bandit and was a mem
Der of the Jesse James gang. He was
sentenced TO Imprisonment for life,
and years after Senator Elkins 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 1854 struck across
the plains to New Mexico. then a Dor
der territory of which two-thirds Of
the population were Spanish. He ac-
quired that language in the course Of
a year and soon secured a large law
practice. He was elected to the leg
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
eral 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 poems,
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 a fortune. His law
practice was lucrative, and he had lit
tie competition In particular he was
with the Maxwell land
grant, which, through his loyal serv-
ices, received the confirmation OF the
courts.
Reelected Despite Defamation.
Mr.. E1kins first appeared In Wash
Ington as the delegate to congress
from the territory Of New Mexico in
To- ha
ssh secured .him the handsome major
ty of 1000. and he was reelected for
a second term while he was on tour
n Europe In the face of his own posi-
i've refusal OF the nomination He
felt that he could not decline such an
honor. and he acquired in his second
term a national reputation by speech
u which he pleaded for the admission
If the territory to statehood.
While In congress Mr.. Elkins mar
led a daughter OF ex-senator Henry
Davis Of West Virginia |
This alliance made him acquainted |
with great undeveloped resources OF |
hat mountainous state. and it decided |
him to throw in his lot with 1t.
Began Acquiring Fortune.
After the expiration of his second /
term, although he was |
always recognized as one Of the lead |
IT'S OF the Republicans and was a 4
member OF the national committee. he /
severed his connection with New Mex
co and lived for two years in Wash /
ngton- He found that as a westerner /
# national repute he could make mon
y by looking after the legal business
Il the great interests which were
-rowing up in the newly developed
ltstes.
Next he became interested in rail-
'oads and turned his attention more
md more TO the development OF his
vife's state in cooperation with her
ather. Together they conceived the
Vest Virginia Central, which winds in
md ont OF the Allegheny mountains
[ threads the Cumberland region and
APPS a district enormously wealthy In
oal and lumber.
Owning as he did in West Virginia
hundreds of thousands OF acres OF tim
,erland and thousands OF acres Of
mines. Mr.. Elkins became the IN
rowned king OF the state. He divided
lis power with his father-in-Iaw, but
a all their interests they were united
lie came back into politics again with
he nomination OF James G. Blaine at
,hicsgo in 1854.
II has always been supposed that the
Iaine statesman owed his nomination
o the railroad man from West Viz
inia. and four years later Mr.. Elkins
gain tried 10 make him the Repub- I
can standard bearer. Mr.. Blaine re- |
used, bur il was only after he had {