River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1900-12-20
MEMORIES OF CLAY.
Amusing Stories Told by Human
Relic of Ante-Bellum Days.
Ancient Department Clerk Who sim
Worships the Kentucky states
man-Most Great Men Have
Aching Feet.
[speeIal washLngton Letter.I

NRAY hairs have brought dis
NJ erection to one department
clerk, at least. In one of the
departments there is an old gentle
man with a wealth of white hair and
anecdotes, who, when his young as
sociates endeavor TO entice him into
political discussion by asking him
whether he is democrat or repub-
lican, invariably replies that he is an
'.old line whig." He scorns both of
the great political parties of the pres
ent, speaks with contempt of modern
craftsmanship, and fairly idolizes the
memory of Henry Clay. This old and
grizzled veteran is faithful servant
of Uncle Sam, and his duties are well
and punctually performed; but at the
mention of the name of his old chief,
the great Kentuckian. papers are
pushed aside, and, with frightened
eyes, and in vigorous language, the
old gentleman will launch into anec-
dotes of ante-bellum days, in which.
though Webster, Calhoun and lesser
lights may figure, "the old man elo-
quent" reigns supreme as hero.
in the 4o's," begins one of these
stories, ''being in the senate gallery
when Henry Clay was making
speech on the tariff. All, my boys, !
wish these chaps up in the capitol
who think they know something about
the tariff could have heard the cd
man. Why, they are juveniles beside
him. Well, / was in the gallery lis
tening with open ears to his elo-
quence and noting with satisfaction
what sledge-hammer blows he was
dealing his wincing opponents. His
eyes were flashing and his whole
body trembling with excitement as
he Numbered forth his denunciations
of the policy of the democrats. In
the midst of one of his highest and
grandest oratorical flights, horse
shoe, thrown with all the might of
some one concealed in the gallery,
came whizzing past his head. 1t
missed its intended victim by few
inches and struck the foot of Sena
tor Poindexter, who was sitting in
an adjoining seat. Mr.. Clay threw
one glance at the gallery and then
stopped, and, picking up the missile,
coolly turned it over in his hands.
"'Mr. President said he, sarcastic
ally, at first / thought this was but
delicate piece of irony, but upon ex-
animation / find that our enemies are
trying to ruin roughshod over us!'
The scene of another anecdote of
Henry Clay which this rabid old wing
1,A Sc. loi In Il " Mr.
Clay had Endorsed notes made by his
sons, and, through their failure to
meet their Indebtedness, had become
involved to the extent of $100,000
The interest on these notes, which
were extended by the holders to ac-
commodate Mr.. Clay, amounted to
about $4,000 a year, and the annual
payment of this large amount cut
terribly into the statesman's income.
1t was always punctualiy paid, how
ever, and he was always on hand at
the bank the day the interest came
due with roll of bills. On one of
these occasions he called, stated his
business and began counting out his
money. The clerk took from a draw
er the notes, and, handing them to
Mr.. Clay, remarked that they had all
been paid principal and interest, and
he now returned them to their in
dorser cancelled. Mr.. Clay stood be-
wildered for moment and asked who
had paid the notes. This, the bank
officials stated, they were instructed
not to reveal. They had been paid
and cancelled, and that was sufficient.
With tears in his eyes and choke
in his voice the old man sobbed:
my God did a man ever have such
friends before?" The names of his
benefactors he never ascertained;
but they were supposed to be some
wealthy New York merchants who
imagined that but for Mr.. Clay's adj
vocacy of high protective tariff they
would have been ruined
Another story rather reflects upon
Mr.. Clay's shrewdness, but the ''old
line whig" tells it, just the same. In
the days of the leadership of Henry
Clay in national affairs horse racing
was one of the greatest amusements
and diversions, and the Kentucky
statesman always attended. The rae
ing was at Baltimore. There were no