The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-26

ing aristocrat was unintelligible. Imagine
Richard of the Lion Heart at meeting OF
the New England branch OF the Anti-lm-
perialist League! Think OF Caesar Borgla
at sewing circle!
Let US confess humbly that Clay is to
us q much more attractive and impressive
figure; a man and a devil of man, and
he looked his part always. His prime was
the prime of the bowie knife and the re-
volver. He was no friend of arbitration
He believed in the custom of the country
and everybody who meddled with him was
likely to have his hands full Some lovely
combats are described in his autobiogra-
ply Take his mild combat with one
Sprigg, when he was member or the Ken.
lucky Legislature 1t was expected that
certain warm words. Now Sprigg, when
the Bourbon was in, had told Clay the
Sprigg method. 1t was Sprigg's habit,
when fight could not be avoided, to come
UP to his man ''in a mild and conciliatory
manner" Then, without declaration or
war, he would swat that man nightly ana
keep on swatting him until he was licked.
Oblivious of these fatal condolences, Sprigg.
all mildness and conciliation, steps up TO
Clay, who knocks him down without
word and keeps knocking him down every
time he gets up, until Sprigg is dragged
away.
This was mere boys play: nor need we
mention General Gays dnels according TO
the forms. His fight at Russelfs cave in
1910 with Samuel Brown, a gigantic bully,
Is specimen of real strenuousness.
Brown. on the slavery side oTrne argu gu
hit him with his umbrella. Clay knew
his man and at once pulled out his bowie
knife. Here is his account of the contro-
Before 1 could strike 1 was seized from
behind and borne by force about fifteen feet
from Brown, who being now ,oa armed ned with witt
and let me kill the damned rascal The
way was speedily cleared, and L stood
isolated from the crowd: Now as Brown Brown
had his pistol bearing on me, l had either
to run or advance. SO, turning my left side
toward him, with my left arm covering
it SO as to protect 1t to that extent, 1 adj
vanced rapidly on him. knife In hand. See
ing 1 coming, he knew very well that
nothing but a sudden and fatal shot could
save him. So he held his fire. and taking
deliberate aim just as / was within arms
reach, he fired at my heart. came down
upon his head with tremendous blow,
which would have split open an ordinary
skull, but Browns was as thick that OF
an African The blow laid his skull open
about three inches to the brain, indenting
it, but not breaking the texture; but it SO
stunned him that he was no more able to
fire, and feebly attempted To seize me. His
fellow conspirators now grasped me and
held both arms above my elbows. which
only allowed me to strike with the forearm
as Brown advanced upon me. / was also
struck with hickory sticks and chairs. But,
finding / was likely to get loose, they threw
Brown over the stone fence which, only
two feet high on our side, was seven or
| eight on the lower side. So Brown had
terrible fall, which ended the contest. Rails
Il
| the statements made by the speaker before
| Browns assault has been proven false
| hood and l stand ready to defend the
| truth But, neither the speaker of the day
nor any of the conspirators taking up my
| challenge, some of my friends, recovering
| from their lethargy. took me by the arm to
vest and shirt bosom, found only a red
| spot over my heart, but no wound. On ex-
animation it was found that the ball
pulled up the scabbard of my bowie knife,
| in drawing the blade. had entered the
leather near the point, which was lined with
silver, and was there lodged
Browns skull was cut TO the brain in
several places, one ear was slit nearly
| off, one eye gouged out and he had other
wounds. 1t is a pleasure to remember
mayhem, Henry Clay defending him. Brown
| was the chief witness for the defense and
testified that there was a conspiracy be-
| tween himself and four others to bring on
| the ARRAY.
| Some sixty years ago General Clay was
editing Abolitionist paper the True
American, at Lexington. That was about
as dangerous work q man could find.
Clay fortified himself accordingly:
| Il selected for my Office brick building
and lined the outside doors with sheet iron
to prevent them being burned. 1 purchased
| two brass 4-pounder cannon at Cincin-
natl and placed them loaded with shot
and nails, on a table breast high. / had
| could open upon the mob and give play
| TO my cannon / furnished my Office with
Mexican lances and limited number OF
guns. There were six or eight persons who
stood ready to defend me- II defeated, they
| were TO escape by trapdoor in the roof;
and / had placed a keg of powder, with a
| match, which ! could set off and blow up
| the Office and all my invaders; and this 1
should NEST certainly have done in case of
| the last extremity
| Indomitable. uncompromising, intract-
able all his days. He missed the laurel;
but he lived his life. fierce. OF late years
solitary. and without parallel. An es-
| sentially despotic character. who fought
4 for freedom.