Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-08-13
HENRY CLAY.
Interesting Anecdotes Told by One who
Knew Him Well

Interesting Anecdotes Told by One who
Knew Him Well.
"Henry Clay was one of the most
fascinating men l ever met. sa,d Nor
man j. Emmons to a reporter. Your
speaking OF Niagara Falls reminds me
of the time / met h m there. away back
in 40. Twas then pretty young in the
profession. with no very great income.
and Joe Clark's invitation to spend a
few days at the Falls was Ia led by me
with all the sat sfaction in the world.
"Joe's father was Lot Clark. proprie-
tor Of the Cataract House, and the
owner OF big slice Of other Niagara
Falls property. When 1 arrived there
found that among the personal guests
OF the elder Clark were Henry CLAY
and his sons wife. YoI may imagine
that to I've in the house with the great
Kentuckian. to be in his society da ly.
and to be talked to By him. was a bo-
nanza for me.
What was Clay like? Wen. il Is a
hard matter to describe him Adequate
ly, for words can never paint the eX-
gus te charm Of his manner. Before
had been with him long understood
his eXtraOrd nary power with the pub.
lie, but it is impossible for me to an
alyze il. In stature he was very tall.
over six feet; his bearing was erect.
ls face was thin aud his nose aquil.
inc. Every movement was the perlec.
ton Of grace. and with that he uncon-
seiously united commanding dignity
that bespoke the innate greatness Of
the man.
His voice! All. that was wonderful
/ have never heard another like it
melodious sonOrous, rich. Every tone
wa, perfectly modulated. and II fell
upon the ear with a sound sweeter than
silver bells His gestures not the
studied. oratorical gestures. but those
which he habtually but inyoluntarily
made in conyersation-were hardly less
expressive than his marvellous voice.
You may think that am drawing on
my imaginat on or that / am over-en.
thus.astic; but Il Is fact that In all my
career ! nsver met another man with
such winning ways. such magnetism
and charm rs Clay's. He was impress
siye. too, even IN his gallantries.
II remember that one of the ladies
at the Cataract House on that occasion
was NJ s. Ell OFT daughter Of Judge
Ell Oft who presided over a large tu-
d cial district in Canada. She was a
beautiful girl not more than seventeen
or eighteen years OF age-nelther child
nor woman. Her ha r was raven black
and worn in natural curls longer than
any others ! ever saw. She was tall.
too, and superbly formed. Her educa-
ton was remarkable, and she attracted
Mr.. Clay's attention. lie sa d TO me
one evening: 'Emmons, who IS your
friend, the young lady with the beaut.
full curls?'
THAT. Mr. CLAY, is Miss Elliott, Of
Canada. / replied. III 90 fetch her
"'l3y no means. my dear boy, I'll &c
TO her. was the gallant response. and.
taking my arm he crossed over with
me to where the lady stood, and was
presented 10 her. Consideringthe fact
that he was the lion OF the hour. an old
man full of honors, and the Idol OF
thousands, this characteristic little bit
Of good breeding has always seemed 10
me worth remembering.
"a few days later ] had an equally
str k ng illustration OF Mr.. Clay's i'm
pressiveness had gone out early one
morning TO the Fails, and VIII le con-
templatlng them felt the approach Of
somebody. There was no sound. not
even a shadow, TO warn me; but knew
that some one was at hand. j did not
change my position nor look around.
but presently felt A hand laid on my
head. think no word was spoken for
possible ten seconds. Then Mr. Clay
(for II was he) said simply: This
scene ILLS me with unceasing wonder
and admiration.
III . voice the solemn and majestic
import OF his words Gas he uttered
them). and the sudden rush-ct feeling
which the scene, the presence and the
sentiment invoked made me appreciate
the llttleness OF man and the greatness
OF God more than anything else Ia lie
has dcna. I" JffroH Free Eregs.