Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-12-15

with a snow-white handkerchief and curls.'
She is a tall and commanding woman,
graceful in her person and her dress. There
IS nothing antiquated about her; she dresses
in modern style. She is not seventy-six
years old, as stated, for she was born on
the 4th Of September, 1903. The grounds
around Polk Place are not laid out in
the old-fashiOned style, nor is there al old
fashioned brass knOcker at the door, nor
riekety old negro woman to answer its
summons, nor did any such conversation
as that reported ever take place; nor was
the correspondent ushered into an Old-fash-
Toned parlor, with all sorts of shells on the
mantel, and ciintZ curtains with large
Powered figures hung before the windows;
nor do the walls contain portraits of men
in wigs and military uniform of the old re-
gime, and women with high powdered
hair and rulfies, with few antique paints
and half-faded landscapes nor is the
furniture of heavy mahogany nor is the
carpet half-c0vered by canvas, a relic of
ancient elegance nor did MIS-. Polk
ever hold such a conversation as the writer
says; nor did she ever excuse herself on ac-
'unt Of pressing engagement; nor did
be, or and other stranger, hand her to her
arriage,' etc; nor, in short, did said cor
respondent ever 90 inside the house. He
c Juld not have done so, for the statements
made are purely imaginary; they contain
MT grain OF truth, from beginning to
end, except in regard to Mrs. Folks court
" manners and benevolent disposition,
which every one knows, and in regard to
the tomb of the distinguished ex President
to which every one has access.
"POlk Place is, naturally, the most COM
manding residence in Nashville. The
grave Of Nr. Polk and the surrounding
grounds are kept always in good order; not,
however, laid out with mathematical pre-
cision, as stated by the writer. There are
two fronts-One from Vine street, and one
from Church street, by way of Polk Az
enue. The house is large and elegant 1t
was purchased by Mr.. Polk, in 164S, from
the late Hon. Felix Grundy, and enlarged
and remOdeled in time for the return
of its owner from Washington, in
the spring Of 1919. The pictures in
the main parlOr, and in the receptiOn-room
or small parlOr, are those Of Dir. Polk, Mrs.
Polk, Gen. Jackson, Mr.. Madison, Mr.. Van
Buren,. Gen. Lafayette, and a few modern
photographs Of large size-the most beau
tiful one being photograph of little Sadie
Fall, grand niece of Mrs. Polk, whose
parents live at Polk Place. The furniture,
carpeung, etc, are all new, and all mod
eTl. MIS-. Polk lives in quiet retirement,
receiving her guests as she did at the White
House-with that ease and grace for which
she has ever ben distinguished. She never
goes into society, but society goes to her.
She never forgets the dignity of her pO-
sition, nor does she seek company. So
that the story that she excused herself
on account of a pressing engagement
at that hour is fabulous. She seldom
leaves her house, save to attend the house
of God. ON the Sabbath. She reads great
deal, and keeps up with the times in all re-
spects. Better than all, she is genuine
Christian, thankful always to her heavenly
Father for a life Of happiness and ease.
The same healthy, elevated moral atmOS-
phere that pervaded the White House I'M
der her administration, as mistress, per-
vades Polk Place. As token Of respect,
not only to the memory of her husband,
but for her own moral worth and high
personal character, every legislative as
sembly, every Grand Lodge meeting OF
Masons or Odd Fellows, and every convo-
cation of men that assemblies in Nashville
of any importance, make it point to call
upon her in a body. In these receptions
she is aided by young ladies, as a rule, and
by one or two gentlemen friends, such as
the Governor of the State, the Mayor of the
city, etc. No one here thinks Of haying
the grave of the ex-PreSident removed to
the capitol grounds Mr.. Polk selected
his own burial place before his death, and
in the family vault a place is left for his
wife. That she may live many years to
bless the community in which she resides,
is the sincere prayer of all her neighbOrs
and friends"