Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1849-07-14
From tic Ncw York Herald.
NAslIvILLE, JUNG l0, ISIS

NASHVILLE, June 10, 1840
Interesting 41ccount Of the Last Duys of
James X. Polk, E'r- President Of the
United States.
Yesterday, at twenty minutes before
five o'clock, p. NJ, James X. Polk expir-
cd, at his residence in this city.
Mr.. Polk had suffered from diamhoea,
on his way up the Mississippi river from
New Orleans, i'll March, but the attack
passed off, and he reached this city in
good health. A few days after his arri-
val he moved into his new mansion, a
stately edi6cc, which has Just been com
pleted and furnished in style of COM
bined elegance and taste. His estate lies
Ill the very heart of the city, on an emf
nence known as Grundy's Hill, having
been the home of the Hon. Felix Grundy,
from whose heirs Mr. Polk purchased the
property.
Having taken up his abode here, the
cx-president gave himself up to the i'm
Provement of the grounds, and was seen
every day about his dwelling, aiding and
directing the workmcn ne had employed
Now overlooking a carpenter, now giving
instructions to a gardener, often attended
by Mrs. Polk, whose exquisite taste con-
stituted the element of every improve
mcnt 1t is not fortnight since that |
saw him on his lawn directing some men,
who were removing dccaying ccdars. |
was struck with his erect and healthful
bearing, and the active energy of his man
ncr, which gave promise of long life.
His flowing gray locks alone made him
appear beyond the middle age of life.
He seemed in full health. The next day,
being rainy, he remained within and be-
gan to arrange his large library and the
labor of reaching books from the floor and
placing them on the shelves, brought on
fatigue and slight fever which the next
day assumed the character of disease in
the form of chronic diarrhoea, which was
with him u complaint of many years stan
ding, and readily induced upon his sys-
tenn by any over excrtion. II
For the three first days, his friends felt
no alarm. But the disease battling thcil
skill (and for skilful physicians, Nashville
will compare with the first cities in the
Union> DIR. Hay, his brother-n law, and
family physician for twenty years, was
sent for from Columbia But the skill
and experience of this gentleman, aided
by the highest medical talent, proved of
no avail. Mr.. Polk continued gradually
to sink from day to day. The disease
was checked upon him four days before
his death, but his constitution was so
weakened, that there did not remain re-
cuperatiye energy enough in the system
for healthy reaction. He sunk away so
slowly and insensibly, that it was eight
hours before he died, after the heavy
death rcspirations commenced. He died
without struggle, simply ceasing to
breathe, as when deep and quiet Sleep
tails upon a weary man.
About half an hour proceeding his
death, his venerable mother entered the
room,and kneeEng by his bed side, offered
up a beautiful prayer to the "king of kins,
and lord of lords" committing the soul
of herson to his holy keeping. The scone
was strilxingly impressive. Major Polk,
the Presidents brother, was also by his
bedside with other members of the lami-
ly,
Upon the coffin was plain silver plate,
with these words: t
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II