The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-25

Where One of the Elk Presidents Is Buried
Anecdotes of His Character.


Where One of the Ex-Presidents Is Buried
Anecdotes of His Character.
Undertook N. W Letter in World.
The grave of the ex President is situate in a
cemetery a little north of the village of Kinder
hook, the background of which consists of large
native forest trees. A plain granite shaft sur
ton to the dates of his birth and death. the
words: Eighth President of the United States Z
No Enclosure surrounds it, and in close proximity
are the graves or many descendants from
a faithful attendant OF the Reformed Church
of this village, although he was not a
member, and his religious views were unknown.
He was in the habit of entering the church a
short time after the audience had become seated,
and his appearance naturally excited attention
as he marched with digrified tread up the aisle
to large box pew near the pulpit Distin-
guished guests frequently accompanied him to
church, and the gaze of the rural congregation
was often estranged from the minister to look
Benton, Preston King. William L.
Marcy, Silas Wright. Ex-Governor Throop
and scores of other distinguished men
who have passed away. Mr.. Van
Buren, was in the habit of riding daily on horse
back and for a number of years after vacatlng
the presidential chair rode q beautiful thorough
bred bay horse, which was presented TO him by
John Randolph of Roanoke. The humblest per-
son received recognition from him as he rode,
and his hat was often lifted as salute After
the liberation of slaves in this State many OF
them continued their residence in this place. and
Massa Van Buren, was regarded as their true
friend, and they halted with uncovered head as
he passed by, always receiving from him due
recognition of the same
Mr.. Van Buren, never paid an Indebtedness IN
til a bill was presented and then responded
promptly with check a bank, which was
torn irregularly from a stub This was done In
order that he could detect forgery by simply
matching the check with the stub.
One hot day, while riding alone, after lifting
his hat to friend a cabbage leaf dropped from
it. Il have right to wear that" said he, allud-
ing to the report that cabbages were extensively
grown on his farm, whereas there were no more
cultivated by him than by others.
Whenever a subscription was to be raised in
the village for any purpose the committee al
ways got the ex-President's signature first, al
though the amount subscribed was generally
SMALL but no one presumed to contribute more
than the President, and hence the wealthy but
penurious took shelter behind the distinguished
contributors signature. Whatever ''Matty'
gave, as he was Familiarity called, was considered
the maximum sum.
The exPresident was much censured at one
times for having signed petition and written
a letter to the Governor of the State asking for
the Communication of the sentence of Henry Tan
ner from execution to Imprisonment for lfe as
he was an old man. It was wife murder of q
most aggravated character, and having been
committed in this village, excited much interest.
There is no doubt the influence of Mr. Van
Buren, affected the fate of the murderer. In this
connection it may be stated as the only case on
record whore the murderer was permitted to at
tend the funeral of his victim, which was held
in church. Of course he was in the custody
of officer.
When Mr.. Van Buren, held the Office of Presi-
dent of the United States the question of
nepotism did not receive the attention which it
excited during the terms of General Grant, and
the appointment of his brother Lawrence as q
postmaster at Undertook was regarded as a
natural sequence of the power granted. After
the retirement Of the President his influence
was used to retain his brother in the postofice,
and the applicants for the position were worsted in
every effort to Dust him. During the time that
Montgomery Blair held the position of Postmast
er-general the influence of Mr.. Van Buren, was
used through Francis P. Blair to retain his
brother in Office, and it was not until ex Govern
ar Dennison was appointed his successor that
the Republicans could effect removal After
Andrew johnson became President, the brother
Lawrence gravitated to his old position and held
it until his death. Dr. John P. Beekman, a
physician of much prominence. and a resident of
the village of Undertook. was frequently Wis
tied by Mr.. Van Buren,, and it is supposed that
he alone was cognizant of the views of the
former on the exciting political questions Of the
day
The ex- President was known to be penurious,
and would haggle over the cost in small deal
ings. He had occasion to send a telegram to
General Scott, who then resided in New York,
declining an invitation to dinner, and was quite
vexed OF the rate, sixty and four which would
be considered rather steep for one hundred
miles nowadays.
A minister of the gospel INDUCED in horse
trade with Mr.. VanBuren, and no doubt thought
tia pardonable sin to get the best OF a dicker
with one who had reputation for so much craft
and shrewdness He succeeded in getting the
best of the trade with the ex President, who was
indignant, and no doubt would have, sought re-
dress by law had it not been for the standing
held by both parties.