The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1885-11-28
OUR DEAD PRESIDENTS.
How They Died and Where They
W ere Buried.
A Short Account of tho Last Days and
Hours OF the Country's Chief Mag
istrates--The Remarkable For.
titude Exhibited by the
nlustrious Sufferers.

General Washington, the first Presi-
dent. took cold during five hours ride
oyer his plantation on the 18th of De-
cember, 1899. during the last hours
of which he was exposed to a severe
storm of snow. hail, and rain. The cold
developed on the 18th, and he died of
pneumonia on the 14th. A few minutes
before his death he asked his Secretary
to have his body kept three days before
burial. The Secretary bowed. do
you understand me?" the dying man
asked. "Yes," was the reply. "'Tis
WELL" Washington said. They were
his last words. The body was buried
on the 18th, schooner being stationed
off Alexandria to fire minute guns
while the procession moved from the
house to the vault. The troops, horse
and foot led the way; then came four
of the clergy, then Washington's horse,
with his saddle. holsters, and pistols,
led by two grooms in black; then the
body, borne by the Masonic order (of
which he was member), and officers.
followed by the family and several old
friends, and the corporation of Alexan-
dria. At the tomb the Rev. Mr.. Davis
read the service and delivered a brief
address. after which the body was de-
posted in the vault with Masonic cere-
monies. Washington's remains were
deposited in their present receptacle in
Mount Vernon in 1887.
John Adams, the second President,
died on July A, 1926, the semi-centen-
NAL of American independence. Adams
at ninety-one possessed q remarkable
activity of mind, though his sight was
so impaired that he could neither read
nor write. BY April, 1926, it was evil
dent that he was failing, though his
neighbors in Quincy, Mass, hoped
fondly that he would be able to attend
the local Fourth of July celebration.
When, however, it became apparent
that he could not attend in person, a
delegate was appointed to visit him and
beg last word or cheerful message.
On June 80 the delegate called on Mr..
~A00hAo anu SPCub SOinC lew minutes
with him in conversation, and took from
him toast to be presented on the
Fourth of July as coming from him. "
II will give you" said he, "Independ-
ence Foreverr' He was asked il he
would not add anything to it, and he
replied, mot q word" At this time
Mr.. Adams experienced no suffering,
but respiration became more and more
difficult till on the morning of the 4th.
de passed away calmly and without
suffering at sunset. Thomas Jeffer-
son still survives" were the last words
he uttered. SO far as could be gathered
from his failing articulation. He was
buried in the family vault in the ceme-
terry, but upon the completion of the
Unitarian Church of Quincy, just across
the street, in 1928. the body was re-
moved from the vault into the room be.
meath the church.
Thomas Jefferson, the third Presi-
dent, died only few hours before John
Adams. On the Sd of July he dozed
hour after hour under the influence of
opiates. Rousing occasionally, he fer
vently expressed desire to live until
the day he had assisted to consecrate
fifty years before. At eleven o'clock at
night he whispered to Mr.. N. P. Trist,
his grandchild's husband, who sat by
the bed: This is the FourthP" Mr..
Trist remained silent, being unable to
say mot YETI This is the Fourth p,
again whispered jefferson, and when
the watcher nodded, .Ahr' he sighed.
and sunk into sleep with an expression
Of satisfaction upon his countenance
His watchers thought him dying, but he
fingered until 1910 in the afternoon,
occasionally indicating a desire by
words or looks. Il resign my soul to
God and my daughter to my country
is popular version of his last utter
ances. His remains lie in a little in
closure to the right of a road leading
from Charlottesville, Va, to Monticello
An obelisk nine feet high marks the
spot.
James Madison, the fourth President.
and the last survivor of the signers Of
the United States Constitution. died on
June %, 1886. During his last illness,
when the family and doctor were at
dinner, his voice was heard feebly from
the adjoining chamber: Doctor, are
you pushing about the bottlesp Do
your duty, doctor, or l must cashier
you" He is buried at Montpelier, four
miles from Orange Court House. Va.
The grave is in the center of large
field, IN q lot about one hundred feet
square, surrounded by brick wall. On
tho gate ID . sign: Madison, 1920"