The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-09-04
ANECDOTES OF CLAY.
TOLD BY A DETRoITER WHO WAS
WITH HIM IN '4o.
The Great Kentuckian's Extraordinary
Power with the Publie-A MeIodious
Voice and orato rical Gestures
A Striking Illustration.
Detroit Free Press.l

Henry Clay was one of the most fascin-
ating men ever met" said Norman ]. En-
mons. @Your speaking Of Niagara Falls re-
minds me Of the time I met him there,
away back i'm 80 / was then pretty young
In the profession, with no very great in
come, and 10, Clark's invitation to spend Q
few days ut the falls was hailed by me with
all the satisfaction in the world.
"Joe's father was Lot Clark. proprietor Of
the Cataract house, and the owner OF q big
slice Of other Niagara Falls property. When
arrived there found that among the per-
sonal guests Of the elder Clark were Henry
Clay and his sons wife. You may imagine
that to live In the hou.e with the great Ken.
tuckian, to be In his society daily and to b
talked to by him. was bonanza for me.
"What was Clay likei Well, 1t Is a hard
matter to describe him adequately, for
words can never paint the exquisite charm
OF his manner. Before had been with him
long I understood his extraordinary power
with the public, but it is impossible for me
to analyzS it In stature he was very tall,
over six feet; bis bearing was erect, his face
was thin and his nose was aquiline. Every
movement was the perfection OF grace, and
with that he unconsciously lited a COM
manding dignity that bespoke the innate
greatness OF the man.
"His volcel All, that was wonderful
have never hoard another like it-melodious,
rich. Every tone was perfectly modulated,
and 10 fell upon the ear with sound sweeter
than silver bells His gestures-not
the studied, oratorical gestures, but those
which he habitually but involuntarily made
In conversation-were hardly less expressive
than his marvellous voice. You may think
that am drawing on my Imagination or
that am over-enthusiastic; but it Is q fact
that In all my career never met another
nan with such winning ways, such magnet
ism and charm as Gays He was impress
sive, too, even in his gallantrea
Il remember that one Of the ladies at the
Cataract house on that occasion was Miss
Elicit, daughter Of Judge Elliott, who pre-
sided over a large judicial district In Can
ada. She was beautiful girl, not more
than II or IL years Of age-neither child nor
woman. Her hair was raven black
and worn In natural curls longer
than any others ! ever saw. She
was tall, too. and supsrbly formed. Her
education was remarkable and she at
tracted Mr.. Clay's attention. He said to
me one evening: .Emmons, who Is your
friend. the young lady with the beautiful
curlsr
THAT, Mr.. Clay. Is Miss Elliott, OF Can
ada. replied. I'll 60 fetch her.
BY no means my dear boy. I'll 20 TO-
her, was the gallant response; and taking
my arm he crossed ovsr with me to where
the lady stood. and was presented to her.
Considering the fact that he was the lion Of
the hour, an old man full OF honor, and the
idol OF Thousands, this characteristic little
bit Of good breeding has always seemed to
me worth remembering.
"A few days later had an equally striking
illustration Of Mr.. Clay's impressivensss
had gone out early one morning to the falls,
and while contemplating them felt the ap-
proach OF somebody. There was no sound,
not even a shadow. to warn me; but knew
that some one was at hand. did net change
my position nor look around, but presently
felt hand laid on my head. I think no
word was spoken for possibly ten seconds
Then Mr.. Clay for It was he) said simplys
This scene fills ME with uncsasing wonder
and admiration
"His voice, the solemn and majestic i'm
port Of his words (as he uttered thsm). and
the sudden rush Of feeling which the scene,
the presence and the sentiment evoked,
made me appreciate the littleness Of man
and the greatness Of God more than any
thing else In this lie has done"