The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1885-10-15
OUR DEAD PRESIDENTS.
How They Died and Where They
w ere Buried.
A Short Account of the Last Days and
Hours of the Country's Chief Mag
istrates-The Remarkable For.
titude Exhibited by the
Illustrious 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 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 Secretrav
to have his body kept three days before
burial The Secretary bowed. ..Do
you understand meP" the dying man
asked. ayes, was the reply. "'Tis
we'll" 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 memher), and officers,
followed by the family and several old
friends, and the corporation of Alexan-
drla. Atsthe 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 4, 1926. the semi-centen-
NAL OF American independence. Adams
at ninety-one possessed remarkable
activity of mind, though his sight was
so impaired that he could neither read
nor write. BY April, 1926. it was evi-
dent that he was falling, though his
nelghbors 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
peg last word or cheerful message.
on June so the delegate called on MIR.
ADAMS and ''spent some few minutes
win him In conversation, and took from
MN 2 toast to be presented on the
fourtn OF July as coming from him. !"
\ will give you" said he, ..Independ-
ence Forever!' He was asked if he
would not add anything to it. and he
replied, mot q word.n At this. time
mn. Adams experienced no suffering,
1ns respiration became more and more
ahcult till on the morning of the 4th.
ne passed away calmly and without
saiiering at sunset Thomas Jeffer-
son still survives" were the last words
~ uttered, SO far as could be gathered
nom ms falling articulation. He was
ourled IN the family vault in The ceme-
MMry, put upon the completion of the
Unitarian Church of Quincy, lust across
we street, in 1928. the body was re-
na ,aoseo rom the vault into the room be-
meath the church.
Inomas Jefferson, the third Presi-
ael', ) uled only a few hours before John
ha. naalns On the Sd of July he dozed
aoul alter hour under the influence of
Sass .aes. housing occasionally, he fer
~ a'lY expressed desire to live until
81. is aay ne had assisted to consecrate
NY years before. At eleven o'clock at
hh;gnt ne whispered to Mr.. N. p. Trist
tbs H. grandehild's husband, who sat by
IT, ,s oed; This is the Fourthp' Mr..
sas s. ~ unnamed silent, being unable to
I ss.. Not yeti" This is the Fourth P"
~ m whispered Jefferson, and when
sas sas watcher nodded, ..Ahrs he siohed
Of afs sun. SUM into sleep with an expression
n. sa1lsiactlon upon his countenance
I;aasate ias watchers thought him diving, but he
oeps seseo until 1910 in the afternoon.
SWvosaSssonaIly WorSa indicating a desire bv
GOd Golas s. or looks. Il resign my soul to
i s'a : , and my daughter to my country
asaap popular version of his last utter
cla.a cIses. His remains lie in a little in
t.oslfs tross1 g to the right of road Lea leading Nc
An om as'. charlottesville, Va, to MontieeIIo'
spot. M iees high marks the
,,a lanes Madison, the fourth President
the ' ne sae last survivor of the sisners s',; of
Jnna In enlted az States Constitution died on
ass whsa q, 1886. During his last iIo lines on
din,aa. sa sae family and doctor wsrs r..rsss, :,
es' ais vo;ce was heard fesbly tro,,. r. =,