The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-09-27

was taken to his rooms in the old Ma
tional hotel, at Washington, and 1 be
lieve never afterwards left them. TIL,
winter came and went; the session con
tir ued with it. Every day right afte
prayers in the senate the chair an
nounced the state of his health. Thu
announcements directly became rather
stereotyped. 1t was usually Mr.. Clay
is gradually falling after time it be
came Mr.. Clay is failing rapidly mex
we heard Mr.. Clay is sinking but his
mind is clear Finally it came to bt
understood that if he should die during
the hours of the session the bells should
toll in announcement of it.
"Hannegan, of Indiana, an Irishman
bright as silver, witty, eloquent and
always interesting, had the floor of the
senate, making a set speech on oul
policy with regard to foreign affairs.
His seat was well up toward the rear.
Being of a quick nervous tempera-
ment, he took the main aisle, and while
declaiming would work himself for
ward almost to the clerks desk, dis
covering which he would walk back,
going through these motions continu-
ously until he had finished. Senator
Frye, of Maine, has very mnch the
same method. A son of Senator Han
negan, fine appearing, gray-headed
man, is one of the messengers of the
senate now. He frequently asks me
about his father. Hannegan was
speaking in his quick, impulsive man.
ner, half way down the aisle and pro-
crossing with an enthusiastic sentence,
when single toll of a bell quivered
through the air. Hannegan ceased
speaking in flash, bounded back to
the rear, turned pale, and in tremu-
lous voice, said: Mr.. president, the
probabilities are that the greatest
statesman in America is now no more;
1 move that the senate adjourn.
''There was no chance to vote upon
it. Instantly evey man took his hat
and coat and before the second toll Of
the bell came, all were away. The
same sort of proceedings must have
dispersed the house, for l remember
as we passed through the rotunda that
it was full of members issuing from
their hall.
1.-THE rapidity with which the city
was thrown into mourning has always
caused me wonder. Walking direct
from the capitol, when we reached the
edge of the grounds where the peace
now is, Pennsylvania avenue
was seen to be filled with streamers of
black, hanging from windows, fastened
to balconies, wound round columns and
awning poles, and stretched across the
street. 1t was solemn sight.
1.-The National hotel was thick with
Grape, and so was Morrison's book
store adjoining it. 1t is the same store
still, now kept by Morrison's son, and
the resort and lounging place
of both Clay and Webster. There were
two little back rooms, one always oc-
cupied by Clay, the other by Webster.
Here, when they had leisure, both
would always be found reading and
or discussing literature, new
and old, but very seldom politics, with
friends and admirers who came to seek
them out. Clay passed more time at
Morrison than Webster. The little
rooms did not communicate and neither
statesman could be seen by the other.
1.-The event, though long expected,
shocked people to the extent that all
business was suspended. Many bar
'ooms, even, were closed, and in others
nen lowered their voices and conversed !
n quiet tones as if in the presence of
he dead. Twas in Washington at the
ime of the assassination of Lincoln and |
gain at that of Garfield. but neither |
vent appeared to throw such gloom
ver the city as the death of Henry
lay. The feeling was one of pure |
orrow, unmixed with indignation or
niger, such as was felt at the deeds
which led to the murder of the presi-
ents. On those occasions men were
oisterous with threats and grief, but
Hence and gloom overspread the city
here lay the dead body of the much
)ved orator and statesman. 1t was in
me of peace and the capital was I'M
sed to such shocks, and therefore men
liked in whispers when all was over
18th Henry Clay.
HE was buried in the Congressional
and a monument was placed
pom the spot, but there is nothing I'M
er it. Strangely enough, for all the
ANY years Clay had passed in Wash
Igton his wife never visited that city.
nee he had started to take his daugh- I
+ to reside there during the session,
1T she died on the way. Mrs. Clay
ways remained at their Kentucky
antation of Ashland and managed the
tate while her husband devoted him
If to national affairs.
His body was disinterred from the
cemetery and taken back
his old Kentucky home. 1t was
ken by the Baltimore & Ohio to Cum
rland, as far as the railroad was then !
mpleted, and from thence in hearse J
= the old National road to the Ohio
yer. Ceremonial obsequies were held
r Henry Clay in all the cities of the d
untry. A magnificent funeral arch s
rs erected in Detroit at the corner of a
oodward and Jefferson avenues. A.
McGraw, who had his store at that p
int then, and John Owen and Alan S
n Shelley, who were prominent among II
: local committee, will remember
IRE particularly about the feeling n
mourning that existed here at the c
le." j.
4 Brare ConsuI. n
citing Secretary of State Davis has sent b
following commendatory letter to United CT