, 1891-01-14
CHARLEY CLAY.
A Well Known Old Timer Moves to
Washington.

Hon. Chas. d. Clay left yesterday for
Washington, where, in some town in the
new state he proposes to carve a new
career and fortune for himself. the best
wishes of hundreds or old time friends
will follow him with the unanimous wish
that fortunes choisest favors may be
showered on him.
Right after the close Of the wal Mr..
Clay struck for the West. From Jules
burg he whacked a bull team to Fort
Laramie. There he stopped aud worked
three years for Col. w. e. Bullock in the
sutler store. At the end of the three
years he went to Julesburg and bought
two four yoke bull teams and two six
mule teams. With these he with others
started to Fort Phil Kearney to take a hay
contract. At Crazy Woman's creek the
party, which consisted of forty soldiers
and thirty-ive bullwhackers we're attacked
by the Indians. Two Indians we're
killed and two soldiers wounded.
AT Phil KearneY the contracts we're Sc
cured and Mr.. Clay was soon making
$500 a day. Six dAys's work a week at
such wages was sufficient for Mr.. Clay,
and his outfit was laid up on Sundays.
One Sunday the camp which was located
on Big Piney a few miles below the fort,
was raided by the Indians and all Of Clay's
mules were run off and most q his oxen
shot. The other contractors, being at
work, did not lose any stock.
Although his stock was gone, $50 a ton
for putting in hay which had to be hauled
only two or three miles, had counted up
fast. and Mr.. Clay had $1,000 in cash
left with which to begin anew. With
thus he again went to Julesburg, bought
four bull teams and began freightiuR.
Twice after this he had trouble with
the Indians, but nothing serious. Both
tunes the outfits belonging TO him and
Colin Hunter were attacked once on Day
creek, twenty miles west OF Fetterman,
and once on Mitchell bottoms, fifty miles
below Fort Laramie. From that time on
for several years Mr.. Clay took govern
ment contracts and hauled supplies to the
different forts and Indian agencies all
over this country. At one time he
owned a fine ranch on the Chugwater,
300 head of cattle, residence property
in Cheyenne and twenty ten-yoke bull
teams and was worth about $50. 600. His
luck soon took a turn, however. and he
began to lose. He had 1000 to spare
aud a man named Webb Allen had had
experience IN the drug business. 4 part
nership was formed and Clay S o put
against Aliens experience. The usual
result soon followed: Allen had the
$1,000 and Clay the experience. Allen
atterward committed suicide. About
seven years ago MIR. Clay bought out G.
d. Thayer's general merchandise store at
Rock Creek. Four years later the store
burned to the ground with loss Of $40, OOO
and insurance of SO, 200.
Douglas was the next place in which to
try his fortunes aud there Mr.. clay again
went into the general merchandising bust
ness, freighting and contracting. Two
years ago he was nominated on the indie
pendent ticket aud elected treasurer Of
Converse county. His bonds was 500, 900
which he had no trouble in giving as his
business integrity was well known. His
bondsmen were eleven OF his old Chey-
enne friends who paid taxes on one mil
hon dollars. For two years Mr.. Clay
served as county treasurer and probate
judge. Last September he was elected
state representative from Converse
county on the Democratic ticket and rem.
dered his constituents good service in the
session Of the legislature just closed.