Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-10-08
Home of the Late President Polk,
at Nashville,

Vile, Tenn, 20 strangers as we'll us cit.
liens, is the residence of Mrs Presi-
dent James Il. Polk. 1t is a noble edi,
! flee, on commanding eminence in the
heart Of the city. Spacious lawns
stretch on either side-in one direction
reaching to Vine and Union streets,
and on the other to Polk Avenue, which
leads to Church street. From the por-
ticoes OF the, residence an extensive view
is afforded OF the whole city. Immedl-
ately in front of the Church-street ell
trance, rising i'll it's lofty height above
the intervening buildings, is the new
Custom House. On the right and left,
church, spires aud college.towers rise
Into view. The building is square
edlfce, with the porticoes on the two
entrances, supported by immense col
umns extending the full height OF the
building. 1t was purchased by Presi-
dent Polk on his return from Washing
ton, before being elected President, and
was remodeled to suit his taste. With
in the building transverse Railways lead
to tie various apartments. The recep-
tion-room proper is in the southeast
corner of the building, separated from
laO othSk uphAtuCAto ny GWO uallo Va
spacious dimensions. 1t is an elegant
room, recently decorated with Eastlake
colors, and carpeted with Brussels.
Upon the mantei, in handsome frames,
are the inaugural address Of Governor
Polk, the first message and inaugural
address OF President Polk, and other
interesting papers, standing Just as the
deceased President left them thirty
years ago. A handsome cabinet con-
tains many rare curiosities, and above
this is a portrait of Mrs. Polk as she
appeared years ago. Just opposite is
one of her husband; both were painted
by Earle, the favorite artist of General
Jackson. But of the many excellent
portraits adjoining the walls of the re-
ception-room, that which now attracts
the attention, in the most marked man.
ner, is beautiful counterpart of the
aged lady, Mrs. James X. Polk, painted
by George Dury. The figure is appar-
eied in a dress of rich black silk; the
silyery. gray curls peep out from beneath
a becoming widows cap; the expression
is that which Mrs. Folks friends know
SO we'll when she is engaged in animated
conversation. This portrait is, at Mrs.
Folks death, to be the property of
Mrs. G. w. Fall, the beloved niece.
whose presence now gives life and ami
nation to the household.
Situated Immediately above the re-
ception room on the second floor is the
former office of President Polk. When
he returned homo from Washington,
and had concluded the arduous duties
incumbent upon the Chief Executive
of the nation, he busted himself setting
his house in order for long term, as
he thought, of quiet life. All his Off
cial and State papers, and public and
private documents, he arranged with
order and method in cases prepared for
them, each bearing label indicating
its purport. In the center OF the apart,
ment is long table, having upon it pen,
ink and paper, as President Polk left
them when stricken with his fatal ILL.,
ness. For thirty years the Office has
remained unchanged. 1t is now Just as
it was left then. Mrs. Polk spends
hours in this room, occasionally, and
she knows the locality of any desired
paper, and, it is said, can even lay her
hand upon them in the dark.
The monument, or mausoleum, is
situated in the eastern lawn. 1t may
be seen and the inscriptions read from
the street. The material OF which it is
made is the Tennessee marble, Of q
grayish color. The architecture is sim
pie and elegant. Two steps lead to q
maln flooring from tie groGnd.' in the
center of this is an altar-like center
piece. Upon it are the Inscriptions:
On the east side" The mortal re.
mains of James Knox Polk are resting
in the vault beneath. He WAS born in
Mecklenburg county, North Carolina,
and emigrated with Lis father, Samuel
Polk, to Tennessee in 1906. The beauty
of virtue was illustrated in his life.
The excellence of Christianity WAS ex-
emplitied in his DEATH"
On the south side" By his public
policy he defined, established and ex.
tended the boundaries Of his country.
He planted the laws OF the American
Union on the shores of the Pacific.
His influence and his counsel tended to
organize the National Treasury on the
principles Of the Constitution, and to
apply the rule Of freedom to naviga-
ton, trade and industry"
Oh thC hOItA l4L5 lilS was uc-
voted to the public service. He was
elevated successfully to the first places
in the State and Federal Governments,
a member of the General Assembly, a
member of Congress, aud Chairman of
the most important Congressional Com
mittees, Speaker of the House of Rep
resentatives, Governor of Tennessee
and President of the United States"
Four columns supporta canopy which
surmounts the whole. Upon the cor
nice, fronting Vine street, is the in
scriptiop:
JAMES KNOX POLK,
Tenth President of the United States.
Born, November %, 1895;
Died, june 18Th, IS49."
Visitors are frequent both at the resi-
dence and tomb, the latter being free
to inspection at all times.
EPHEMERAL LITERARY FAME.-The