Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-07-09
Correspondence Of the New York Herald.
LAST HOURS OF MR.. POLK.
NASHVILLE. June 16, 1919.

NASHVILLE, June 10, lo4S'
Interesting account Of The last days Of James K
Polk E1-President ofthe U. Stotes
Yesterday, at twenty minutes before O'Clock;
P. NJ, James K. Polk expired, at his residence
in this city.
Mr. Polk had suffered from diarrhna, on his
way up the Mississippi RIVER from New Orleans,
III March; but the attack passed of, and ne reach
ed this city i'll good health. A few days after
his arrival he moved into his new mansion, a
stately editice, which had Just been completed
and furnised in {. style Of combined elegance
and taste His estate lies in the very heart of
the city, on an eminenee known Grnndy's
Hill, having been the home of the Hon. Felix
Grundy, from those heirs Mr.. Polk purchased the
property.
Having taken up his abode here, the ex-Presi-
dent gave himself up to the improvement OF the
grounds, and was seen every day about his dwell
ling, aiding and directing the warkmen, he hao
employed. Now overlooking carpenter, now
giving instructions % a gardener, often attended
by Mrs. Polk, whose exquisite taste constituted
The element Of every improvement. 1t is not a
fortnight since that | saw him on his lawn di-
recting sorGe men, who were removing decaylng
cedars. was struck with his erect and health
full bearing, end the active energy of his manner,
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 began to arrange his large library; and the
labor of reaching books from the floor and placing
them on the shelves brouggt On fatigue and slight
fever, which the next day assumed the character
of disease in the form OF chronic diarrh9a, whicf
was with him complaint of many years stand
ing, and readily induced upon his system by an.
over exertion
For the three first days, his friends felt NJ
alarm But the disease battling their skill (an'
for skilful physicians Nashville will compare
with the first cities in the Union) DR.. Hay, hi
brother-in-law, and family physician for twenty
years, was sent for from Columbia. But the skill
and experience of this gentleman, aided by ths
highest medical talent, proved of no avail. MIR
Polk continued gradually to sink from day to day
The disease was checked upon him four days be
fore his death, BIZ. his constitution was so weak
ened, that there did not remain recuperative ener
gy enough in the system for healthy reaction
He sunk away so slowly and insensibly, that i
was eight hours before he died, after the heavy
death respirations commenced. He died withou
struggle simply ceasing to breathe, as wher
deep and quiet sleep falls upon a weary man.
About half an hour preceding his death, hi
venerable mother entered the room, and kneelipg
by his bedside, offered up beautiful prayer t.
the "King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, commit
ting the soul other son to his holy keeping. The
scene was strikingly impressive. Major Polk
the Presidents brother, was also by his bedside
with other members OF the family.
Upon the coffin was plain silver plate, with
! h.os t}r