The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-05-09
HE WAS ONCE A PAGE
HENRY CLAY GAVE sTEWARr ROB
son A CHANCE TO MAKE S25.
Ii Was the Great Debate on the Com
promise Biii-GoId for Gem
ressmen's Salaries.

Il was a page in the SOth and 31st con-
crosses" said Stuart Robson to Phila-
delphia Times reporter, land clearly re-
member events which then happened.
while 1 readily forget many important oc-
currences in my mature life. Henry Clay
gave me an opportunity to make s25. His
compromise bill was pending in the SEN
ate, and it was taken up Unexpectedly
when many of those opposed to it were alb
sent, among them Mr.. Douglas. There
was great CONSERVATION among those op-
posed to 1t. The pages from both houses
were sent in every direction looking for
Mr.. Douglas, while some senator was put
up to talk against time. None of the mes->
sengers were able to find him. 1 came iRy
from an errand in the midst of the excite-
ment and asked what was the connection.
Every one said:
we want to find Mr. Douglas
Just then Mr.. jeremiah Clemens of
Alabama came up and said: III give SIS
to any one who will find Mr.. Douglas.
Il at once inquired of the boys where
they had been, and suggested half dozen
places where he might be found. for the
pages knew very well most of the haunts
of the congressman. We have been to
all of Them said the boys in concert L
where 1 thought he might be. The boys
seemed to have covered all the other ter
ritory 1 rushed out of the door, grabbed
my hat and darted for the house. The
pages in those days had horses to ride in
going on errands. They were rather queer
horses, but nevertheless they were better
than none. Mr.. Horner, the doorkeeper,
had to give us an order for one. He kept
them ready written, and they read, no
matter what the boys name, Give Jake
horse 1 got one, quickly ran and mount
ed one of the nags, and at the top of his
speed dashed up the avenue. 1 drew up
TO the place. about half mile distant.
rang the door bell and asked if Mr. Doug
las was in. He is replied the servanN
Tell him Mr.. Clay's compromise bill is
| about to pass, and he is wanted imme-
diately. In a minute L heard Mr.. Douglas
voice saying:
Great heavensl is that SOP
The servant came back and told me
to leave the horse a the door and 1 started
back toward the capitol Before / had
gone great distance 1 was passed by Mr..
Douglas on the horse making for the cap
itol as fast as the animal could go.
thought then and think now it was one
of the funniest sights 1 ever saw-this
short legs riding down the avenue astride
the horse, and the awkwardness with
which he sat his mount did not improve
his appearance. got the $25, however, for
my part in bringing Mr. Douglas to the
great debate on the compromise bill
LAS 1 look back to these times now 50
years behind me, it seems as though
everything was then conducted with great
/ laXity. The sergeant-at-arms used to pay
the members in gold and the congressman
would send the boys after il with the
greatest freedom. Sometimes the amount
would be small and sometimes far larger
than should have ever been trusted to
such young hands. One day l was sent
to Riggs bank, where the deposits wera
kept, with an order for $1,000 1t was
handed to me in two cotton bags, very
loosely tied al the ends. After ! mounted
my horse / found it difficult to carry. So
al the first cigar shop 1 came to 1 stopped,
dismounted, went in and got a piece of
twine and tied the two bags together.
/ then mounted and went galloping down
the avenue. Just as 1 reached the corner
by the old National hotel the horse SHE'D
! suddenly and threw me Off The same
movement broke the string holding the
bag of gold. AS they struck the ground
one burst, and the gold pieces went flying
in every direction. The lounging negroes
about the place came out and helped me
to pick them up. L was nearly scared
to death, but never lost a gold piece But
1 breathed much easier when 1 landed
my treasure at the capitol