Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-08-15
MRS. JAMES K. POLK.
Relict of the Tenth United
States President.
DIED AT NASHVILLE, TENN.
Surrounded by Loving Relatives and
Friends, she Passes Peacefully Over
the River-Eighty SIght-The
City Mourning.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Aug. I4-Surrounded
by few flowing trends and relatives. Mrs
james X. Polk. relict Of the tenth president
of the United States. departed this life
AZ 30 O'Clock this morning. peacefully
and quietly, in theEfull possession of her
mental faculties.
Mrs. Polk had been in perfect health
until last Wednesday evening, when re
turning from short drive she was taken
suddenly III. from which she never rallied.
Had she lived until the 4th of September
next, she would have been eighteen years
beyond The allotted time of three score and
ten
The cause of her death was simply ex-
hauStiOu, resulting from old age.
Bells throughout the city are mournfully
tolling, and sympathy and regrets are heard
from the masses Of people as they gaze upon
the bulletins announcing the demise Of this
hOnored and beloved lady. VINO spent her
Years among the people she loved so well,
and who respected her as one of the uoblest
OF her sex, as lady of the White
House, the wife Of the president
of the nation. Before then and
since. to her death. has this grand,
historic woman in gentlenesS and grace and
the goodness and simplicity of her life, in
the purity of her character, in the lofty
eNempiticajion of Christian wOmanhood,
been an example worthy Of emulation to her
country NOl4Cn anu " llCI StA luIONS llOAl
the world"
\ large number Of kilograms of condol-
ence We're received from prominent people
in all parts OF the country, and the flag on
the state capitol was placed at half-mast.
The funeral will occur Sunday morning.
The remains viii be placed in the vault
along side those Of ner distinguished hus-
band
Mrs Polk was stricken down Wednesday
evening at : O'Clock after returning from L
drive. In 4 short while she reacted and
consciousness returned and from that time
until her death she apparently suffered
no pain. Mrs. Polk slept at ILL
tervals during last night In her
waiting moments she COnversed with
members of the family who We're in con-
slant attendance. DR. j. w Madden re-
manned at the Polk place last night, and
had Just left her apartment 10 20 across the
street to his home when she died. Mrs. Polk
was conscious of her approaching end, and
only few minutes before IT
came, called upon her surrounding
family and placing her hand upon each
member gave her blessings.
just before the end Mrs. Polk requested
that Rev }. H. McNeilly, ID. d, be sum
mOned. He, however, did not reach hec
bedside until after she had breathed her
last. He held prayer. however, with the
family.
NJit VI me illlA 1lCldlS W ilO " 10
at Mrs. Folks bedside from the time she
became i'll was called on this morning by
reporter, and he spoke in an affecting man
ncr OF her death. He said that he had
never known grauder character than
that of Mrs. Polk When the reporter
catled at his office TO inquire as to the par
ticularS of Mrs Folks death the physician
said 'All yesterday and last night life
ehhed and flowed in an uncertain tide, as
Mrs. Polk was tenderly watched by her
immediate family and relatives and physi-
clans, and while suffering greatly she re-
tanned TO the last moment consciousness
perfectly, and her intellect was undimmed.
AT o'clock this morning her physicians
announced to her the fact that the end
was near, yes she quietly replied, Il
know it. | am ready for it, and have been
all my life ready 10 obey the summons of
my Master" She then at length, as her
strength would bear, attested her faith
in the Christian religion and
great peace of mind and happiness
1t had always given her, even unto this end
of her life. From the serene expression of
her unwavering trust in the Lord, she con-
tinued with clear voice, though becoming
momentarially feebler, 10 thank him for
his goodness and his merit through
her life prolonged far beyond that natural
to human life, and to praise him and mag
nifty his name for his goodness and grace TO
her, quoting the beautiful stanza from that
rapturous hymn, I would not live al
ways Just before her death she
put her hand on the head of her
beloved niece. Mrs. George Fall, and gave
her her dying blessing as expressive Of her
uudying love. commencing her and her
great-niece, Mrs. Sadie Polk Gardner, TO
the goodness and mercy of the
Lord whom she had served, and
into whose presence in d few moments
her spirit was borne. thus ending the NOR
tai life and thus began the immortal life of
as good Christian woman as ennobled her
sex or graced in perfect womanhood our
country in which she had been elevated TO
the proudest position woman can hold in
presiding.