The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-06-27


York Herald;
NASHVILLE, June 10, ls49
Yesterday, at twenty minutes before o'clock p m.
james X Polk expired at his residence in this city. Mr.
Polk had suffered from diarrhea, his way up the Mis-
sissipp river from New Orleans, in March but the at
tack passed of and he reached this city in good health.
few days after his arrival he moved into his
sion stately edifce which had just been completed and
furnished in style of combined elegance and taste His
estate lies the very heart OF the city, emlnence
known as Grundy's HILL having been the home of the
Hon. Felix Grundy, from whose heirs Mr.. Polk pur-
chased the property
Having taken up his abode here the exPresiden gave
himself up TO the Improvement of tile grounds and
seen every day about his dwelling, aiding and directing
the workmen he had employed; now overlooking
penter, now giving instructions to gardener, often at
tended by Mrs Polk, whose exquisite taste constituted
the element OF every Improvement Il is not fortnight
since that saw him on his lawn directing some men
who removing decaying cedar. was struck with
his erect and heahfu bearing and the active energy of
his 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 the Shelves brought fatigue and
slight fever which the next day assumed the character of
disease in the form of chronic darrhGa, which was with
him complaint of many years standing, and readily in
duced upon his system by any over exertion.
For the three first days, his friends felt alarm But
the disease battling their skill and for skilfu physicians
Nashville will compare with the first cities in the Union
Dr. Hay, his brother law and family physician for 20
years, sent for from Columbia. But the skill and
experience of this gentleman, aided by the highest med
cal TALENT proved of no avail Mr. Polk continued grad
ualy TO sink from day day The disease was checked
upon him four days before his death, bat his constitution
was weakened that there did not remain reeuperaive
energy enough in the system for healthy reaction He
sunk away slowly and nsenslby that 1t was eight
hours before be died. after the heavy death respratons
commenced He died without struggle simply ceasiDg
to breathe, when deep and quiet sleep falls upon
weary man.
About half an hour preceding his death, his venerable
mother entered the ROOM and kneeng by his bedside Of
Ifarad nm n heau ful 10 of nd
Lord of ords,' committing the soul OF her son 10 His
holy keeping. The scene was srkinsy impressive Maj
Polk, the Presidents brother was also by hrs bedside
with other members OF the family
Upon the coffin plain silver plate, with these
wo.ds
J. X POLK:
Bonn NovsMrEs, 1895.
Died June 10. 1873
The body lies in State to-day The noble drawing
mourning with black scarfs of Grape. The tall white
columns OF the majestic porco, facing the SOUTH
completely shrouded in black, giving soemnly majestic
and funeral aspect TO the presidential napsion.
The funeral took place four O'Clock this afternoon,
masonic ceremonies being first performed in the drawing
room over the body saw the body before it was en-
cotlned. The features noble composufe. Death
has impressed upon them the seal of majesty In his lie
his features that impress of command and
their marble outline He was habited in plain sat OF
black and copy OF the constitution OF the United States
placed at his feet Before being taken to the ceme-
terry the body was hernieticaly soldered within copper
coffin.
From the house the funeral corege which very large.
all places of business being closed by order OF good
whee, after services performed by the Rev. Mr.. MFer-
it was conveyed to the cemetery followed by vast
concourse OF citizens The body was deposited in the
Grundy vault temporarily; but it will soon be removed
to vault on the lawn of the ex-presidenal manslCf,
where willow stands. and over it will be erected
stately marble cenotaph: thus the body OF the President
from Tennessee will lie enombed in the heart of its capt.
tai. Mr. Polk by will. the evening before his death,
gave the lawn to the State in psrpetay for this purpose
Mr.. Polk sent for the Rev. DR.. Edgar. OF The Presby
terrain church. days before his death. desiring TO
be baptized by him. He said to him impressiyely:
Sir, had suspected twenty years ago that should
come to my death bed unprcpared, it would have made
wretched man yet about to die, and have not
made preparation have not even been baptized Tell
me- sir there be any ground for man thus situated
to hope!'
The Rev Doctor made known to him the assurances
and promises OF the gospel that mercifully parallel
with mans life.
Mr. Polk then remarked, that he ha been prevented
from baptism in infancy by accidental occurrence
thai he had been several times sttonHly inclined to be
baptized during his administration but that the and
perpeXes of public life hardly gave him time Tor the
solemn preparation requisite; and so had
rirened into inacton when il was now almost too late
In his conversation with the reverend clergyman
Mr.. Polk evnced great knowledge Of the Scriptures
which, he said he had read great DEAL and deeply rev.
erenced, divine TRUTH in word he was, Theoretically
| a Christian.
The conversation falguing Mr.. Polk much for him
to be then baptized. it was postponed to take place the
next evenings but in the interval, the exPesident reco
used to hold many arguments with the Rev. Mr.. Meier
the talented and popular Methodist minister OF the
place, his personal and political FRIEND and that he
had promised him that when he did embrace Christianity
| he, the Rev. Mr. McFerren, should baptze him. He
therefore sent for the Rev Dr. Edgar, made known his
Obligation and expressed his intention 10 be baptized by
his friend the Methodist minister. The same day the
venerable Mrs Polk, mother of the exPresiden very
pous Presbyterian lady, arrived from her residence forty
miles distant, accompanied by her pastor, hoping
that her distinguished would consent to be baptized
by him.
"Moher," said the dying ex-Presdent. taking her af
fectionaely by the hand 81 have in my life DISC
beyed you, but you must yield to your son now, and
crafty my wishes. | must be baptized by the Rev Me
! McFerren"
His mother, wise as she is pious, did not hesitate to
give her consent and in the presence OF the Rev. DR.,
| Elsar, and the Rev Mr. Mack, of Columbia, the ex-
President received the rite of baptism and the hands OF
the Rev. Mr. McFerren.
| Mr. Polk has died worth about one hundred thousand
dollars the bulk of which is settled upon his amabe
lady who it is to be hoped, will log make this city her
abodean to lis society; Tor all lips do praise
| her."
| Lhttell's Living Age. No. a0s.-Price I2H cents.
| Contents:
L. Maiden and Married Mary Powel.Sharpe's Magazine
the by Dr. Wood.For the Living Age
Letters Cuba, by W. q. Bryant Y Ereniny Post
BrcakinuThe Pocket and the Stud-Quarteriy Review
& Romance of Observation-Disclosures Magazine
FuturcFrance and Its PesdcnSpec-
| tator-Examiner