Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 December 1897 — PINES FOR HIS BRIDE. [ARTICLE]

PINES FOR HIS BRIDE.

Gen. Cassius M. Clay Yearns for the Return of His Wife. Dora Richardson Clay, the child wife of the famous abolitionist, duelist, soldier and war minister to Russia, Gen. Cassius Mareellus Clay, lias left her husband and returned to her home in Valley View, ten miles away on the Kentucky river. The marriage of Gen. Clay to Dora Richardson, a dependent in his home, which occurred Dec. 13, 1894, was a groat sensation. Dora was then. 14 years old and Gen. Clay, now in his 87th year, was seventy years her senior. His relatives made strenuous objections to the marriage and the general converted his magnificent mansion at Whitehall into a regular fort. He armed his army of employes on his farm with shotguns, rifles and revolvers and planted cannon around the place to warn off intruders. Amid these surroundings he married his child wife. The years seem to have passed happily enough to this strangely mated couple. Gen. Clay provided for every comfort of his wife, carefully educating her and treating her more like n father than a husband. Mrs. Clay, on the other hand, administered to his every want and anticipated his slightest wish. During this time Dora's brother, “Clell” Richardson, was overseer of the Clay property and made his home at the Clay mansion. But about six months ago he and Gen. Clay quarreled and “Clell” left. Then Gen.' Clay went to Cincinnati to have his eyes ~ treated. During his absence Nannie Biggerstaff lived at the Clay mansion to keep Mrs. Clny company. Beaus called to see her and Mrs. Clay for the first time since reaching girlhood enjoyed the society of persons of her own age. On the general’s return Nannie went home and Mrs. Clay became unhappy. Three weeks ago she went home to see her brother “Clell,’' and now Gen. Clay fears that she will remain away permanently. He snys she is a free agent, free to remain away or to return, but he would give much if she would again take up her home in the Whitehall mansion. Unless Dora returns to him soon it is believed the old hero will quickly give up life's struggle, and that the end will not be far off. Mrs. Clay will not say whether she will return, but states that shj may go home when she gets ready.