Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1888-01-14
PRESIDENTIAL POVERTY
HARD-PUSHED DESCENDANTS OF
SOME PRESIDENTS.


Andrew .lackson's recently had to beg
for nights lodging in Washington
hotel, New York World correspondent
says;
Thomas .Ieffersons grand daughter,
Septima Meiklcham, died here recently,
leaving several grand children to battle
with the world. One of her sons, owing
to a severe sickness, is not at all strong
mentally. One of her daughters is not
well enough to work, and the other is
employed in one of the Government de-
partments Another great grand -daugh-
Ter of Jefferson has charge Of a school in
Baltimore, and Monticello has long since
passed out OF the hands Of the family.
Just before Jefferson died he was so
much in debt that lottery scheme was
gotten up to sell his property and relieve
his necessities. lie left practically
nothing TO his children. and they re-
ceivcd some two sums of $4,000 each
from the Legislatures of two of the
Southern States.
John Tyler left some property, but it
all went to his second wife One of his
sons, General John Tyler, who drove a
fourth hand while his father was in the
White House, and who was then called
the handsomest man in Washington, lives
on position in the Treasury depart
ment and one of 1'yler's most accom-
plished daughters, a lady who presided
over the Executive Mansion alter her
mothers death and until her father mar
ried Julia Gardner, Is guest at Cor
coran's Old Ladies' Home here. A man
who claims to be one of the Washington
family, and who, by the way, has face
strikingly like that of the President,
peddles trinkets in little booth in the
Pension building. Dolly Madison, the
Presidents wife, was during a part
of her last days. furnished food by a
colored man who had been in President
Madison's service. She got, however. Il
large sum of money from Congress for
Msdiscn's papers, and it was this thu
eased her declining years.
Most of the Presidents have died pos4.
and few of them have made much out of
ofiice-holding. Monroe was so poor that
his lat or days were spent with his SON
in-law, Samuel l.. Gouverncur, in New
York, and there he died. Harrison left
nothing to speak Of. Polk left about
$3.50, 900, including Polk Place at Nash
vile, where his widow now lives. 1t is
valuable block Of ground in the center
of the town, which has risen largely in
value since the Presidents death.
Martin Van Buren, made money
out of politics. He started life poor and
died well-to do One estimate puts his
estate at $500, 900, ard he made money
in real estate as well as in the law. Both
of the Adsmses were money savers, If
not money makers. The letters of John
Adams, the second President, TO his wife
Abigail, repeatedly urged her to cut down
the household expenses and to practise
economy. He unched himself on oat-
cake and lemonade. and he walked far
oftcncr than he rode.
John Quincy Adams received nearly
half million dollars from the Govern
ment in salaries during his lifetime, and
he possessed the Yankee thrift. The
Adams family at present is enc of the
richest in New England, and | was told
at Kansas City that Charles Francis
Adams had more than a million dollars
invested in real estate ther. He has
railroad stocks and bonds in addition,
and he makes his money breed like Aus
traian rabbits.
Andrew Jackson spent more than his
salary while he was in the White House,
and he had 10 borrow money TO keep up
with his expenses. Thomas Jefferson
borrowed tie money that carried him out
of Washington when he LETT the lresi-
dency, and Andy johnson, though he en-
tertained considerably, is supposed to
have saved at least $50, 600 during his
White House career. lie died, / am told.
worth about 500. 600, and the most Of
this came from economy. II was "A pretty
good estate for a tailor to leave. James
Buchanan was making about 1900 a
year at the law when he entered Con-
gress, and he spent during his prcsi-
dency what was left from his living ex-
penses in charity. He was not. how
ever, a rich man when he died, and his
estate of Wheatlands was sold year or
two ago.
President Fillmore began life as a
wool-carder. During the three years he
was engaged TO his sweetheart he had not
enough money TO pay the expenses OF the
hundred and fifty miles which lay be-
tween her home in Saratoga County, n.
Y. and where he had begun to practice
law. During the filst year Of their mar
riage his wife did the homework and
taught school, and still he died one of
the richest of the Pres dents. The
greater part Of his fortune, however,
came from his second marriage toa rich
woman Of Buffalo, whom he courtc1 after
his first wife d ed
President Cleveland is supposed to lie
worth about 800, 0o0, aud Ire owns, am
told real estate l., Rulfaln which 20