Evening journal., 1902-06-14
BiIIParSOn'S 'SCOlunn
Published Now and Then.
Something About John N. Clayton


meet some veteran of the olden times
who harks back to the days of John
NJ Clayton, and begins. to recount the
incidents OF campaigns fought as
strenuously as those of the present
times 1t is remarkable that these
aged war-borses cling TO their mem
ories with tenacious grip, and talk
yet OF the great leader almost with
tears in their eyes.
He was in the fulness of years whel.
they knew him, having reaped all the
honors his State could bestow and hav-
ing won a following which for loyalty
and enthusiasm has never been equal
ed. What wonder then that these
boys and young men who were greeted
familiarly by the great man and hon
ored with his notice, became his de-
voted slaves, and discovered an admi-
ration that has not waned TO this day.
Clayton was campaigner without a
peer. and at the meetings which were
held at every crossroads he used to
pass among the crowds greeting most
l familiarly all the farmers, even to the
humblest. He was ever the center OF
an admiring throng, and his argu-
ments were always interspersed with
Jokes at the expense Of anybody, in
cluding himself.
On the stump he was commanding
figure This is the description given
by one who remembers him: In per-
son he was striking. with a stature Of
more than six feet, large framed and
impressive looking His face was
handsome. with full. regular features,
and a massive head. around which
clustered carelessly locks of grayish
brown. His eyes were of a mild gray.
and when he was aroused they seemed
to flash fire"
One can imagine his effect upon an
audience in the day when few news
papers were read, and when he
brought information to many OF his
hearers first hand. In those days no
money was used to persuade reluctant
voters, the press was not an import
ant factor. and. therefore, an eloquent
speaker who commanded the admira-
ton of the people could win a victory
on the stump.
1t is related that in his tours OF the
I lMO lOWtl NOulllNo u0 uctN 10 sup Al
the various farmhouses for dinner or
70 spend the night. and seemed pleased
with the meagre accommodations that
often were offered But the hospital
ity was generously extended, and ap-
parently that was all that he cared fOr.
One old gentleman says that when
he mingled with the crowds the name
of mister was discarded the saluta-
tions were. well. jim" or TON" and
in reply. as often as otherwise, they
called him John"
@ 8 O
1t is said that Clayton got most OF
his brains. affability and his energy
from his mother, and she seems to
have been a remarkable woman, Every
Emergency in the neighborhood ap-
lpealed to her sympathies and she was
the person upon whom they leaned.
There was an attachment between
mother and son that was beautiful to
see. She encouraged him in his am
bition to become a lawyer and by and
by the young man found himself in
an office in Dover with a sign out on
the uoor. bearing the words; John
Nj. Clayton, AttoIney-at-Law." In
time a client came and as a result Of
a successful issue OF his case, left a fee
of $40 in the young lawyers hands.
Now what do you suppose he did
with that fee? Tradition says that
THAT night he walked TO Milford, q dis
lance of twenty miles, and deposited
the money in his mothers lap. That
must have been a proud and happy
moment for both. Clayton afterwards
lsaid that no act of his career had given
him so much real satisfaction.
Most OF his boyhood days were spent
in Milford and the old home is still
standing In the old cemetery near
that town lie his father and mother,
and above them stand the shafts
erected by him to their memory.
There are numerous traditions con-
cerning those days Of his youth. His
father was a tanner, and a favorits
pastime tor the boy was to make
speeches to the spectators, who used to
gather in the lanyard to hear the
youthful orator Somebody was struck
with the ability of the precociOus lad.
and persuaded his father TO give him
an education. 1t is too bad that the
discoverer is lost TO sight; he deserves
a monument.
@ 8 @
One of the chief delights OF the
( statesman was found in his violin.
: He married early in his professional
career a beautiful young woman, but
, she died after few years OF happy
: married life. Then he looked to his
violin for solace. There is O story that
distinguished party once visited him
in the evening and found him playing
the Last Rose of Summer" while the
tears streamed down his face, and they
knew that his mind had wandered
back to the days when another stood
beside him.
. o o
There are stories innumerable, but
one other may be permissible as
revealing one of his habits in working.
His bedroom had whitewashed walls,
and when an important idea came 10
him during the night he would spring