The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-02-16
HENRY CLAY AT HOME.
"Reminiscences of the Old Statesman by
His Valet.

"Reminiscences of the Old Statesman by
His Valet.
From the Louisville Courier journal.
Eli Grant is the name of an aged ne
gro living at AT Preston street, between
Breckenridge and Caldwell Old Eli is
blind and physically worn out by his
long term OF hard knocks with the
world, yet withal he has a retentive
memory, and can relate some interest
ing occurrences connected with the life
OF Kentucky's great statesman, Henry
Clay, at his Ashland home in Fayette
county. The venerable black man was
visited recently by Courier-Journal
reporter, TO whom he spun story that
has in it points of interest well worth
reading, OF himself Eli says but little.
He was born near Lynchburg, Va, on
the banks of the James river, and his
father was for twenty years ferryman at
that point. When Eli was about -
years old he went on trip to New Or
leans with his master Edward Carter,
a wealthy planter There he had occa-
sion to act for few days as the valet of
Henry Clay, who was then visiting in
the Crescent city. He was bright,
sprightly boy, and the statesman be-
came 50 much attached TO him that he
bought him from his MASTER paying the
rather stiff price OF 81, 200 In a short
time he went TO his new masters home
at Ashland, and lived as the favorite
servant of the man "who would rather
be right than be President for num-
Der OF years. Mr.. Clay at that time
was in the prime of life, vigorous in
mind and body, and twas during those
years that he gained his browning glory
rs an orator and II statesman.
LOVE FOR HIS DAUGHTER
81 kin rcmcnocr ole man Clay Jest
like it wur yi>tcrday,n said Eli, in his
simple language Il alters loved him,
anu ! alters love 10 talk about HIM"
Then the old man went on TO talk about
some of Mr., Clay'S characteristics in
domestic life He said that he was ex-
cecdingly fond of his wife, and in adj
dressing her always called her my
dear, He was kind and indulgcnt to
his children, and generous in his treat
mcnt toward his servants. His fayorite
child was Anna, the wife of James IT.
vine, whose death was announced TO
him while he was AT fashionable din
ncr party in Washington The news
caused fearful shock, and old Eli
thinks that it was the prime cause of
his masters death, which occurred q
short time afterward.
HIS HOME HOBBY.
Ills hobby at home was his stock. He
was passlonalely fond of fine horses
ana cattle, and would always see per-
S0naIiN mat they had the best attention.
III tells Of fine Newfoundland dog
that was presented 10 his master by an
admiring friend who lived in Nova
Scotia. The dog was very intelligent,
and the Sage Of Ashland' trained him
with his own hand to perform num-
per OF wonderful tricks, one Of which
Ell remembers TO be rs follows: In one
OF the pastures in which Mr., Clay al
lowed his finest stock 10 run was a fine
well, with a large trough attached, by
means Of which the cattle were supplied
with water. The water was drawn from
the well by the bucket and spindle sys.
tenn, but it required great deal of man
ual labor to keep it in operation. 10
abolish this Mr. Clay constructed a
small trcadmill, attached 1t to the spin.
die Of the well with an iron crank, and
then trained the dog to walk the tread
mill. In this manner the trough was
kept constantly filled with water, and
the clever dog became 80 accustomed
10 the performance that without the ne.
cessity Of being bid, he made il his duty
to watch the well constantly and SEQ
that the trough always had in II n suili-
cient supply Of water to keep the cop