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William died of cholera while enroute to California with his father and brothers, Swayne and Purdy, along with other gold hunters. The family statement concerning his death was that "in passing Jefferson City, MO, they were detained on account of the death from cholera of a man whose burial they were asked to complete. The widow was so overcome and protested so vigorously that the coffin was not marked that William McElvain entered the grave and performed that office. He was also stricken with cholera and died there next day, the family having erected a tombstone at his resting place." History records; "Bill McElvain was a promising young man, but a blighted love for one who also felt the shock, made him reckless to do and dare, and before the plains were over come, he surrendered to the pale horse and his rider. 'His fate was more the result of piercing heart throbs than the wreck of health and exposure.'" |
| He is buried in the private graveyard of Dr. White on the MissouriRiver. |