Barber County history would not be complete without recording Robert and Sadie Clay.
     Robert was born in Wayne County, Tennessee, April 22, 1853. At age 18 he went to
  Morgan County, Missouri, to shift for himself - a popular phrase with ambitious young
  men at that time.
     In 1875 he married Miss Josie Bond of Missouri and came to Pratt County, Kansas. 
  They settled near Sawyer. Josie died in 1882.
     In 1890 he married Miss Sadie Ritchie of Latham, Misouri, in Medicine Lodge. Sadie
  was born in Latham, December 25, 1867.
     In 1891 Mr. and Mrs. Clay became Barber County citizens, first buying a ranch in
  Elm Mills Township, later a more extensive one in Eagle Township which he opereated 
  several years. He disposed of them to good advantage and invested in a ranching part-
  nership with A.B. Purdy.
     The Clays came to Kansas without resources but became one of the county's prominent
  ranchers. He was a shrewd businessman, combined honor and integrity in his dealings.
     He built their home on the corner of 2nd and Main and was said to have the most
  beautiful lawn in town.
     Robert was a charitable man who believed in public improvement. He lost his live
  November 26, 1919, in an auto accident two miles west of Attica, when his car skidded
  on thin ice and overturned and pinioned both Mr. and Mrs. Clay to the ground. He never
  regained consciousness.
     Dr. Coleman was called and attended Mrs. Clay, and she was brought to her home where
  she recovered long months later.
     The death of Mr. Clay removed a substantial builder from the arena of activity.
     Sadie leased the ranches through the years and carried on in the home. Her little
  dogs were her companions.
     The barn back of the house was a convenient place near the school for young student
  to leave their horses during school hours. She began friendships which lasted through
  the years with many of them.   
     Mrs. Clay continued her husband's generosity. She gave $25,000 to be used in 
  construction of a dormitory at Phillips University, Enid, Oklahoma. The Medicine Lodge
  Christian Church was also close to her heart.
     The entire Medicine Lodge community shared in her generosity for upon her death June
  17, 1947, it was learned she had bequeathed for theuse in building the Medicine Lodge
  Memorial Hospital, several pieces of good ranch land. Those in the area owe a debt of
  gratitude for her consideration and foresight in sharing what God allowed her to possess.
     One sister who lived in Canada, and a niece, Mrs. H.G. Pelton, survived her. Mr. Clay
  was survived by four brothers: Boyd, Elijah, Allen, and Thomas and two sisters; Mary
  Lucetta and Emmel Russel.
     The Clays had no children, but many lives have been touched because of their generosity.
     
                   
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 133