The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-04-18
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An Old Story About Henry Clay and LOngwOrth's
Wina

| = r
An Old Story About Henry Clay and LORgWorth's
| rr- Wine.
There was residing at Asblaud, the residence
Of Mr.. Clay, near Lexington, In l8lS aAd 1874,
three Of his grandsonR and myself, attending the
classes OF Transylvania University During tho
| fall Of 1913 Nicholas LongworEh, Of Cincinnati
sent to Mr., Claya hVe-gallon demijohn Of wine.
sealed with ordinary wax and stamped with q
letter ~" that had the appearance Of having been
cut from piece Of rough wood. Charles, Mr..
Clay's favorite and confidential colored servant
was requested to place the demijohn In a secure
place in the cellar Mr.. Clay gave us the prlYil-
eye, after finishing our class studies each night,
Of going TO the cellar for what apples and cider
we wished On one occasion Henry Durable, one
Of the mess, proposed to me instead Of filling the
pitcher with cider to tap the demijohn OF native
American wine, We did so, and continued 10 Dc
80 night after night, as we preferred II TO cider,
until II was empty. A consultation was held,
and unanimous opinion expressed that some
thing had to be done, and that without delay
We brought into our confidence the old Guinea
negro gardener Nike at II o'clock at night, and
snow six inches deep on the ground, which rO-
suited in his assisting us, In consideration OF q
quarter Of dollar cash in hand, In taking the
demijohn TO town, some three miles distant, and
for fifteen cents gallon got an old Dutchman.
who made a precauous living by trading whisky
at night with colored persons, 70 ill up five gal
Ions Of the same. On our return we smeared over
some sealing wax, and having cut letter L from
the end Of 3 SbrOomstiok branded II and placed Il
once more In the cellar where II belonged.
During the fall Of 1874, when there was every
indication that Mr.. Clay would be elected PreEi-
dent he gave dinner party to Tom Oogwin,
Charlie Morehead and many OF his near friends
AS usual, at this dinner Mr.. Clay was present.
We sat down to the table at 2 O'Clock, as was Gus.
tomary at that time. After long and s1mptu-
Gus dinner, during which time many wines wero
discussed, Mr., Clay said Gentlemen. have an
abiding confidence the day will soon come when
America will prove To be the great Wtne produO.
ing country the world and with your permits.
sion will produce sample of the first American
wine ever made, from my old friend, Nicholas
Longworth Charlie, my boy can you go down
in The cellar and bring up from the right hand
corner that demij lhn Of wine that came from Mr..
LongWorth" "Yes, sir" Hold, Charlie, SEQ
here. Now you do so with great care Should
you shake II the very least bit you will spoil it,
Now Charlie, just set 1t with the greatest ease on
the floor beside me. Ali that's all right Now,
my good boy, take the corkscrew and extract the
| cork don't shakeit. There there take II under
your arm, easy II you please, and just tip us lit
| tie all around. Now, gentlemen, we viii, with
your permission, drink standing to the health Of
our old friend, Nicholas LongWorth, the manu-
! factuTer of the first native wiue ever made in
| America" AS the wine touched their lips, Mr..
Clay looked at us boys seated at one corner of the
table, and with that stentorian voice, that was
peculiar to him when aroused, cried, "Boysw
We slipped from our seats, through the side door,
and as we entered the cedar.trees out OF sight
heard such shout from his guests as was never
heard In the old mansion at Ashland.