The Calumet News

October 5, 1910

Bolt Destroys Second Monument

At left, Henry Clay monument, destroyed by lightning in July 1903. At right, new statue unveiled last July, to take its place, which was last week partially destroyed by a second bolt of lightning.

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Lexington, Ky, Oct. 5 —A hoodoo seems to follow the attempt of Kentucky to show its respect to her great statesman, Henry Clay. At his tomb in Lexington cemetery there was erected in his honor a magnificent pedestal, sumounted by a statue of the great statesman. In July 1903, this was struck by lightning and completely disfigured. For serveral years the question was agitated as to who should defray the expenses of a second monument. In the end it was decided that the state should defray part of the expense and a legislative appropriation of $12,000 was made. The unveiling took place last July.

Last week, in a terrific storm during which every fire alarm box in the city was put out of commission, telephone and telegraph communication stopped and nearly five inches of rain fell, a second bolt of lighning struck the new monument, shattering one arm and otherwise so completely demolishing the statue that it will again have to be replaced.