The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-24
QUAY'S PATH OF LIFE.
1t Came Very Near Being Cast i'm the
Far South.
New York Press.

New York Press.
Senator Quay came within an ace Of be-
ing a Southerner by adoption, just as the
great Seward did. Seward was actually set
tied for life in Georgia, but when his South
ern sweetheart Tilted him he returned TO
New York and made his home in Auburn,
his soul full Of bitterness toward his fellow
men in Eatonton, Ga Quay. when a youth
just out Of college, seventeen years of age,
went to Madison county. Mississippi, with
a chum of the name of Griffin, whose par
ents, sister and brother lived on a fine
plantation on the Big Black river, a noble
fork of the Mississippi. Here the Jefferson
College graduate remained one year, boat
ing. hunting, fishing. watching the cotton
grow and, incidentally. falling in love with
Miss Lizzie Griffin, the lovely laughter OF
the house.
Fired with ambition by the half-promise
of a reciprocal love, young Gay set out for
Shreveport, La, to study law. He was ac-
companied by his Fidus Achates, Griffin,
and their determination was to gain admis-
sion to the bar as soon as possible and be-
gin the practice of law together. the firm
name TO be Griffin * Quay. attorneys and
counselors, etc. But hardly had they begun
their studies when Griffin was informed of
the sudden death of his father. This sad
event necessitated his Immediate return TO
the Plantation, whittier he was accOmpanied
by Quay, who was still a pensioner on the
bounty of his rich friend. Affairs of love
were knocked into a cooked hat, and Quay,
provided with funds by his chum. returned
to his home in Pennsylvania, finishing his
legal studies at Pittsburg. He was admitted
10 the bar in 1854, and a year later was ap-
pointed prothonotary OF Beaver county.
That was his entrance into politics.
Ten years passed. Matthew Stanley Quay
was assistant commisSary general of Penn
sylvania with the rank Of lieutenant colonel.
His law practice, assisted by his politics,
made him independently comfortable IL not
rich. He wrote to Madison county. Missis-
sippi. to inquire how the Griffins were get
ting on. Miss Lizzie. married in the mean
time, replied to his letter. and a friendly
correspondence was begun that lasted many
years. The war reduced the Griffins TO the
verge of poverty, and Quay. in some way
learning of these conditions, paid back all
the moneys advanced by his chum and the
senior Mr.. Griffin at compound interest for
the entire period that had elapsed since his
visit TO Mississippi. He afterward sent
checks for large sums of money 10 enable
his former friends TO clear their old home
from debt.
from her marriage who in the late eighties
was in search of employment. Quay. learn
ing OF this. had the boy appointed to a
lucrative government position in New Or
leans. which he filled creditably until his
death a few years ago. Later. when Mr..
Mckinley was elected President. Miss Liz
zie, now a penniless widow. became an ap-
plicant for the Office of postmistress OF Can
ton. Miss, and Quay. In the face OF the
fercest opposition. obtained for her the ap-
~pointment. The senator has ever been loyal
and grateful to every member of the Griffin
family.
What Is IL, Fate? Who can say? Matt
Quay might have been an ordinary. petit
Jogging, INDECENT lawyer in Louisiana or
Mississippi but for the death of Mr.. Griffin.
He might have fought on the Confederate
side I'm the war. Pennsylvania might never
have known the ablest political manager
that the Keystone State ever produced but
for his unexpected return 10 his native soil.
Matt Quay has been called nearly every
bad name i'm the dictionary of the vulgar
tongue. Not even Croker has been so Law
ishly epitheted. And. believing that there
Is inherent good in every man. no matter
how he may appear on the surface, 1t Is a
pleasant diversion 10 write these good
things OF him who has been so generously
traduced and viliied by men of all political
parties. A little gratitude covers a multi
tude of sins. Quay will soon be sixty-eight
years old. He has been through enough TO
he 1no