The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-09-19
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 q five hours ride
over 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 18th. 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, Its
well, Washington said. They were
his last words. The body was buried
on the 18th, a 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 4, 1926, the semi-centen-
NAL of American independence. Adams
at ninety-one possessed a 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.
4, 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 MIR.
Adams and ''spent some few minutes
with him in conversation, and took from
him toast to be presented on the
Fourth OF July as coming from him. y
II will give you" said he, ''Independ-
ence Forever" He was asked if he
would not add anything to it, and he
replied, Not a word" At this time
Mr.. Adams experienced no suffering
but respiration became more and more
difficult till on the morning of the 4th.
He passed away calmly and without
suffering at sunset. Thomas Jciler-
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 Gene
terry, but upon the completion of the
Unitarian Church of Quincy. lust across
the street, in 1928. the BODY was re-
moved from the vault into the room be
meath the church.
Thomas Jefferson, the third Prcs-
dent, died only few hours before John
Adams. On the Sd Of July he dozed
hour after hour under the influence of
opates. 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 grandchilds husband. who sat by
the bed: This is the Fourth?' Mr.
Trist remained silent, being unable to
say Not YETI This is the Fourth?"
again whispered Jefferson. and when
the watcher nodded, "Ahr' he sighed,
and sunk into sleep with an expression
of satisfacto on upon his countcnance.
His watchers thought him dying, but he
fingered until l24O in the afternoon.
occasionally indicating Il desire by
words or looks. Il resign my soul II
God and my daughter to my country
is popular version of his last utter
ances. His remains lie in q little in
closure to the right of 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 sjgncrs 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 fcebly from
the adjoining chamber: doctor, are
you pushing about the bottles? Do
your duty, doctor, or | 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 lot about one hundred feet
square, surrounded by brick wall. On
the gate is sign: Madison, 1920"