Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-07-20


the soul of her to his holy keeping The scene
was strikingly impressive. Maj. Polk, the Presi
dents brother. was also by the bedside with other
Ineube OF the family
Upon the coffin was plain silver plate with
these words:
J. K. POLK
Bonn NOVEMBER, 1905
DIN JUx.E, 1S49
The body lies in State today. The noble draw
ing rooms are shrouded in black, and every win
dow is mourning in black scarfs OF Grape The
tall white columns OF tie majestic portico facing
the south are completely shrouded in black. giving
solemn, majestic and funeral aspect TO the Tres
dential mansion.
The funeral took place at four o'clock this af:
ternoon, masonic ceremonies being first performed
IN the drawing room over the body | saw the
body before II was encofined. The features are
in noble composure. Death has impressed upon
them the seal of majesty. In his life his features
never wore that impressed comm and and intellec
ta strength, that seemed now chlsselled upon his
marble outline He was hah;ted in plain suit
Of black. and copy of the constitution of the u
nted States placed at his feet. Before being
taken TO the cemetry, the body was hermetcally
soidered within copper coffin.
From the house, the funeral cortcgc, which was
very large ali places Of business being closed by
order of our good Wing mayor. proceeded to the
Methodist Episcopal Church, where, after services
were performed by the Rev. Mr. Nc Ferren, 1t was
conveyed 10 the cemetery followed By vast con
course Of citizens The body deposited in the
Grundy vault temporarily; but it will soon be re-
moved to 4 vault on the lawn of the Ex-Presiden-
tial mansion, where willow stands, and over
1t will be erected a stately marble cenotaph thus
the body of the President from Tennessee will lie
entonbed in the heart OF its capital. Mr. Polk by
will the evening before his death, gave the lawn
to the State, IN perpetuity, for that purpose
Dir. Polk sent for the Rev. DR.. Edgar, OF the
lrr>r
desiring to be baptised by hirn--He said to him
inpressively: Sir, if l had suspected twenty
years ago that ! should have come to my death
bed ,snpyepaTsd it would hava made me wretch
ed man; vet ] am about to die, and have not made
preparations. Ihave not been baptised. Tel me
sir, there be any ground Tor man thus sItua-
ted TO hope2
The Rev. Doctor made known 70 him the assu-
RANGES and promises of the gospel that mercifully
Eun parallel with mans life
Mr.. Polk then remarked, that he had been pre-
vented from baptism iii infancy BY some accident
al occurrence, that he had been several times
strongly inclined 10 be bantsed during his admin
stration but that the and Perplexites of pub
lie life hardly gave him time fer the solemn pre-
paration requisite and so procrastinaton had IL
pened into inactIon, when II was now almost too
late 10 act. In his conversation with the reverend
clergyman, Mr.. Polk evinced great knowledge OF
the scriptures, which, he said he had read great
4
word, ne theoretically, christian.
The conversation fatgung Mr. Polk too much
for him TO be baptised, 1t postponed, 10 take
place the next evening; bUt IN the interval, the ex
President fecoiiected that when he was Governor
an lived here, Aa used ta-..ott yaHv arguments
with the Rev. Mr. Ne Terrcn. the talented and pop
ular Methodist minister OF the place he had prom
ised him that when he did embrace christianity
that ne, the Rev. Mr.. Nc Ferren, should baptise
him He therefore sent for the Rev. Or. Edgar,
made known to him this ob!ig, tion, and expressed
MS intention to be baptised by MS friend the Meth
odist minister. The same day the venerable Mrs.
Polk, mother of the ex-President, very pious
Presbyterian lady, arrived from her residence, for
ty miles distant accompanied by her pastor.
! hoping that her distinguished son would consent
to De baptised by him.
Mother" said the dying ex-President taking
her afectionately by the hand. have never in
my lie disobeyed you, but you must yield to your
son now. and crafty my wishes. ] must be bap
tised by the Rev Mr. Ic Ferren.'
His mother wise as she is pous. did not hest
tate to give her CONSENT and in the presence of
Rev. DIR. Edgar and the Rev. Mr. Mack, of Column
bia the ex-President received at the hands OF the
Rev. Mr.. Nc Ferren, baptism.
From the Republic.