Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1913-06-05
A FORGOTTEN GRAVE
Henry Clay's Brother Needed a
Call to Preach.
Though Not inferior In intellect to
the Noted Politician, He Became
Wanderer and Spent His
Last Days In Poverty.


While thousands visit the magnif-
cent tomb of Henry Clay at Lexing-
ton, Va, each year to pay tribute 70
his memory, the grave Of Porter cray
is unknown save 30 few IL 10
marked with a slab of stone, on
which the name is almost obliterated
by the weather. 1t lies IN an old, UNI
frequented cemetery at Camden. ARK.
Porter Clay was young brother OF
the illustrious Henry. Though not
inferior to the great statesman In IN
tellect, Porter was without the inoroi-
nate ambition that history lays at the
door of his brother. Porter Clay gave
the best OF his life to the service OF
his God. He died in poverty Both
boys we're brought up by a pious
mother, but Henry was captiyated by
the glare of politics, while Porter fol-
lowed the desire Of his mothers heart
and became Baptist minister.
At the age OF twenty-one, in 1918.
Porter Clay was admitted TO the bar
of Kentucky He was appointed as
auditor of state accounts by Gov,
Gabriel Slaughter Even at this time
he felt that he was called to the min
istry. and hesitated to accept the luc-
rative position. Friends persuaded
him to accept. insisting that he had
brilliant future before him. BY this
time Henry Clay had served two
short terms In the United States SEN
ate and had been speaker Of the
house of representatives for four
years. II was freely predicted that
young Porter would follow In the
footsteps OF his brilliant brother.
Porter served the state in this
capacity for several years During
this time his wife died aud he was re-
married to the widow OF Senator NJ.
D. Hardin Mrs Hardin was WON
an Of great wealth and ambition
She was the mother Of two sons at
the time Of the marriage with Porter
Clay As these boys grew NJ they
developed unruiy traits OF character.
They manifested an open contempt
for the gentle ways Of their stepfath.
err and his simple life for he had be-
gun to preach shortly after his mar.
riage with their mother and one u
them In particular became notorious
for hiD waywardneas and prodigacy
II was he who distinguished himself
| later IN life for bravery and rashneaa
during the war with Mexico and chai
lenged Jefferson Davis to dacl for
some fancled slight Tho duet was
never fought. for President Zachary
Taylor interfered and prevented IT,
Abclt 1870 Mrs Clay and bor sons
persuaded Mr.. Clay to move with
them TO Jacksonville. m Here they
resided In a house that had been thd
prope ~ Of Senator Hardin The
motho and sons gradually came 70
treat Mr. Clay a. an outcaat 80 IN.
cessatt was their abuse OF him that
be WAS eventually forced 10 leave
their roof.
dispute win the authorities ~
the church had caused Porter Clay 30
be Suspended as a pastor lie became
an evangelist and travelled widely Il
was IN this way that DO nrst came 70
Camden. tate in the f0s
Evangelism IN those carly days was
nor the eilded path 10 fortune tina, Il
is today Porter ClB HH8 frequently
Ia actual want Un brother. Henry,
thrice a candidate for the presidency.
offered at many times TO give the
wonderer hons not the Shirt cali
90 the shepherd and lo continued 50
follow the voice
His followers orga0ized "a church tn
Camden, and Mr. Clay felt that be
had reached the goal ef his misaiaa.
He expected to spend the rest of HIS
life miniatering to the people Of The
little city on The bank OF the Qua.
chita nut IN 1850. two years before
the death Of Henry Clay he was
stricken with fever and died after a
few days Of suffering
His grave was unmarked for many
years, but small board was event.
ually placed upon II by members Of
the Baptist church Several years
ago the New Century club OF Camden
erected a slab Of stone over his grave
by the women Of this organization. It's
solitude rs unbrokan from year 10
wear