The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-07-11


49, The following account Of thei illness
and deaih;o James K. Polk. late President of
'tba Uaited States, possesses a melancholy in
!, tsrest, which we.know will he appreciated hy
npost:of our readers: ..a......
- IS. - Correspondence Of the 7. Y. Herald
-. 49, - NASHVILLE. June l6. ls49.
.Interes,ine Account of the Last Days OF James
X. Polk, Er President of the United States
Yesier,Iay. AL; twenty minutes before five
o'clock. P M, James K Polk expired, at his
residence IN this city. - :.
s:4MTs pnlk had suffered from diarrhGo, on his
way up ahe Mississippi river from New or
sleans in March; bttt the attack passed of, and
10 reacbed this cityzin sgood health. few
DAYS after his arrival he moved into his new
mansion, a stately edifce, which had just been
scompleted and finnisiie,liin style OF combined
sslepance andtaste. His estate lies IN The very
I sSheartlof the CITY, on anyrem'nence known as
Grnndy's Hill, having been the home OF the
Hon. Felix Grundy, from whose heirs Mr.. FOLK
purchased the property.
i. :. Having taken up his abode here the ES.
5 President gave himself up to the Improvement
!. Of the grounds, and was seen every day about
! ahis dwelling, aiding and directing the workmen
he had employed. Now over. looking car
sr,enter. now: giving instructions to gardener,
often amended by Mrs. Polk, whose exquisite
81 taste constituted the element of every improve
naent: Iris not fortnight since that | saw "
-, rms IaWd directing some men, VINO were
removing decayfug cedars. l was struck with
! .b;s erect and heaEhfll bearing and the active
ssssenayeysof his manner, which gave promise o
slosr lie. His flowing gray locks alone made
him apoear yond the. middle age OF life. tie
~ sxesmed in full health. The next day, being
{. ra;ny. he. remained within and began TO ar
.,a,nce ssbis large library; and the labor O
5sTeasbino books from the floor and placing then
I'M ,ba shelves, brought on fatigue and si'Sh
fayer. which the mex, day assumed the charac
Ate,rtlcf disease in the form of chronic diarrhea
(which was with him complaint OF many years
s,apding. and readily induced upon his system
2 by any oYer exertion.
For. the three first days, bis friends ieit n,
s alarm. But the disease battling their sk'i'
$4and for skilful physicians, Nashville VIII com
5, ,,a 70. with the first cities in The Uu'on) Dr
5agHay.- his broiher.inlaw, and family phYsicIa'
for f,yenfy wears, was sent for from columbia
J, But. .thesskili and experience Of this gentleman
: s,;d.d nv ibe highest medical talent. proved o
NO avail. Wr. Polk continued gradually to sinl
Z from day TO day. The disease was checked
upon him four days before his death, but hi
constitution was SO weakened, That there dI'
not remain 'recnperatiye energy enough in 'h'
system for healthy reaction. He sunk ava.
so slowly and insensibly, that it was eight hour
.ssbefore he died, afterthe heavy death resP'ra
lions commenced He died without struggle
simply ceasing to breathe, as when deep AM
Quiet sleep falls upon weary man.
bont half 40 hour preceding his DEATH h,
ysnersble mother entered the room, and kneel
ine bvs his bed side, offered upa beautiful pray
er 10 The . king Of kings, and lord OF lords,
&. committing the soul of her rson TO his holy keep
sing. The scene was strkingly impressive.
MAJOR Polk, the Presidents brother, was also b!
his bedside with other members OF the family
aUpon the cofin was a plain silver Plate' Will
these wotdss: -.