Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1849-07-14
from the Ncw York Heyald.
NASHVILLE, June l6 ls4o

FsIt NASHVILLE, June 16, 1S40
Interestiny Account of The Last Days of
James X, Poik, Er President Of tie
United States
Yesterday, at twenty minutes before
five o'clock, p. NJ, James X. Polk ,xpir-
cd, at his residence in this city
Mr.. Polk had suffered from dianhoea,
on his way up the Mississippi river from
New Orleans, in March, but the attack
passed off, and he reached this ctv in
good health, a tow days after his arri-
val he moved into his new mansion, a
stately edifice, which has just been com
pleted and furnished in style of com
bincd elegance and tasty. His estate lies
III the very heart of the city, on an emf
nencc 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
eN-president gave himself up to the i'm
provement of the grounds, and was seen
every day about his dwelling, aiding and
directing the workmen he had employed.
Now overlooking a carpenter, now giving
instructions to a gardener, often attended
by Mrs. Polk, whose exquisite taste con-
stitutcd the element of every improve
mcnt. 1t is not fortnight since that |
saw him on his lawn directing some men,
who were removing decayjng ccdars. l
was struck with his erect and healthful
bearing, and the active energy of his man
ner, 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 diarrhea, which was
with him complaint of many years stan
ding, ard readily induced upon his sys-
tenn by any over excrtion.
For the three first days, his friends felt
no alarm. But the disease battling theil
skill (and for ski!ful physicians, Nashville
will compare with the first cities in the
Union) DIR. Hay, his brother-in in 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-
cuperative 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
falls upon q weary man.
About half an hour proceeding his
death, his venerable mother entered the
room, and kneeling by his bedside, offered
up o beautiful prayer to the "king of kins
and lord of lords" committing the soul
OF hers to his holy keeping. The scene
was strilingly impressive. Major Polk,
the 3"i esident's brother, was also by his
bedside with other members of the fami-
Iy. 2dB
Upon the coffin was plain silver plate,
with these words!
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