The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-14
From the U,siontoiDn (Pa.) Democrat, November g.
MIR. Clay-SeriOus Aecident-An amusing
AmecdOte and Incident.

The Hon ii. Clay passed through this place on
Tuesday night last his way east. He arrived
about dark, and Immediately after supper entered
the coach TO continue his journey. Ii seems that
there was vicious horse attached TO the coach
which 1t was difticult to start and the driver has
been in the habit OF beating him severely On this
occasion, on starting from the hotel he beat him
most violently. The whole team sprung off at the
top OF its speed the driver at every jump applying
the lash with all his power and energy. The team
was ut a full run--it was quite dark and Just in
front Of Mr.. Ludingtons shoe store; the near
wheels of the coach struck pile Of stones, thrown
IN the street during the day for the purpose OF re-
pairing it. The shock was tremendous-one OF the
horses was thrown down-the coach was thrown
front of Mr.. Vests store. These were partly car
rcd away and broken down, the coach body strik-
ing them, and the coach being upheld from cap
sizing until it had passed them, when losing this
support it was thrown on its side being still under
full Roadway. The coach being capsiZed, the fore
wheels separated from it, and the still furious
horses, dragging their fallen companion, rushed
down the main street for some distance and were
finally stopped in front of Mr.. Canons halter shop
The fallen horse was instantly killed. 1t is most
astonishing that every person in the coach not
killed But not one of them seriously hurt.
Mr. Clay, who, after the coach was capszed, with
the assistance of the crowd which rushed to the
scene, got out at the window in the side of the
coach body, had his right hand slightly injured
The driver alone. upon whom most righteousy
ought to have fallen the punishment due to rcck-
lcssness of human life, was seriously injured. He
was thrown from the coach-his nose broken and
his face and head severely cut and bruised. There
were seven passengers in the coach at the time.
Upon Mr.. Clay's escape from the COACH he was
taken into MIR. Samuel Y. Campbell's. II was
known he was in the coach, and the most intense
anxiety was exhibited for his safety. Wesaw him
at Mr. .CampbelPs. in less than five minutes after
the accident, smoking his cigar as if nothing had
happened. He had lighted it at the hotel, and had
not even lost it in the melee In few minutes an
other coach was at the door, and he took his depar
ture in the midst of an immense crowd, which his
presence and the accident had collected.
But before he started he had been amusing the
friends around him with wit and anccdote. He
spoke of the number Of fine country residences
lately erected in the vicinity of the town. and of
the improvements made in the town itself, since he
first passed through it, many years ago. He said
an amusing incident had happened to him while
passing through the town shortly after the passag
by Congress Of the famous compensation law. He
had taken very little part in its passage, but it
seemed he had said 'she found it difficult at the
end of the session Of Congress, to make both ends
meet" He was travelling with very plain
riage and very ordinary pair ofhorscs but in COM
pany with him were the families of others having
more splendid equipages. He had gone in advance
OF the carriages for the purpose Of buying some
sweetmcats for the children and was in a shop
making the purchase when the carriages passed it.
There was in the store boy, who, observing the
carriages passing, said, sit is wonder that fell
low can't make both ends meet"
During the narration of this anecdote, Mr.. Camp
bell stood a most attentive listener, Immediately
facing MIR. Clay, and the instant it was concluded,
stepping forward, and bowling to Mr.. Clay, he
said, 81, sir, am that boy" The effect electri-
cal. The whole company convulsed with
laughter. Many of them were familiar with the
anecdote, for they had, long before, heard it from
Mr. Campbell himself OF course, the revival of
the remembrance of this incident of early life in
Mr. Campbell's own parlor, after interval of
more than thirty years, as pleasant as it was
amusing. The boy and the youthful statesman
were both ''silvered Ger with age" And no where
in the Union had the statesman more ardent and
devoted, and long-t tried friend and admirer.