Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1891-08-20
MRS. JAMES X. POLK.

Death OF the widow OF the T~nth Frrsf-
dent Of the rsit~d states at the oia
Homestead Ia Sssh Vile. T~as-->h~ I'm
Joyed the Distinetisn of Having u~ea
Gee OF the Meet Beautiful and Dtx nsfs-d
Women that Ever Grseed the white
House.
NASHVILLE. Tenn. Aug. ia-MrS
Sarah Polk. widow of President James
x. Polk. died at the Polk mansion in
this city at Tssa a IN. Her death was
that Of a Christian. She sank gently to
rest without a struggle. She was sur
rounded by the members of the itnnesii-
she called them up and placing her
hand uron their heads offered a prayer
and blessing
Mrs Polk had been in perfect health
until last "Wednesday evening. waeu. ON
returning from a short drive. she was
taken suddenly III from which she
never rallied Had she lived until sep
tcmb~r next she would have hecn
eighteen years beyond the allotted time
of three score and ten Tho cause of
her death was simply exhaustion re-
sulting from old age
The bells throughout the city arc
mournfully tolling. and sympathy and
regret are heard from the masses Of
people a. they gaze upon the bulletin
announcing the dennis. of this honorrsI
and beloved lady. who spent her years
among the people she loved 50 we'll. and
who respected her as one of the nobIest
of her sex.
Mrs. Polk since her husbands death
had lived in the old Polk homestead on
Polk place IL Is in the front yard Of
this venerable mansion that the cx-
president Is brried- She lived a quiet.
transformations life, doing nothing which
would attract attention To hcrSef. save
on the one accession when She was 4
suitor before the government for a pen
sion as the vi idow ~ President Polk.
which congress voted her. She was
not left any means 10 amount tn any
thing by her husband. and her life was
ono Of qusi-povcrty.
History eSn have little to say about
the woman whose death marks one nlors.
step IN the passage Of time and crvcfS
one more bsadStonc. save 10 speak 81
her beauty and admirable womanIy
qualities IL will accord tn her the
distinction of having been one Of the
h&ndsomsst women who ever graced
the White House She was also hos
pitable first lady. and most successful
as an entertainer. possessing charm
of manner and tact which has never
been exceled by her SUCCESSORS She il
was who established the innovation Of
weekly receptions in the White House.
whose ceremonial statelin-ss entaiiesi
the abolition of the old-tim good cheer.
Of which rcfreshmentS and dancing
formed a conspicuous part
Mrs Folks maiden name was Sarah
Childres& She was born near Muir
fr-csboro. September 4. 1906. Her IA
thsr. Joel Childress. was a prosperous
farmer. lie gave his daughter an ex-
csllent education. upon the completion
of which she met and mar ricd Mr.
Polk. then n member of the Tennes-
see legislature. The next year
Mr. Polk was sent To congress. aud
during his long career at the capital
Mrs Polk WAS prominent in Washing
ton society. winning universal admira-
ton In old age she retained the adj
miration and esteem of host of friends
The News .t Home and Abroad.
NASHVILLE. Tenn. Aug. l6.-The in
telligence of Mrs. Folks death spread
rapidly through the city and beyond
the state, and many kilograms Of CON
dolenec were received by the family
from absent relatives and friends. The
dag on the state capitol was placed at
half-mast. and Gov. Buchanon sent
letter to the family expressing his own
sympathy and that of the people of the
state. while Adjt- Gen. Norman ten
iered a military escort and guard at
the funeral
Resolutions Of respect 70 the memory
Of Mrs Polk were adopted by the State
Farmers Alliance in session here. and
similar action will he taken by the
Tennessee Historical society and other
organizations
The remains OF Mrs Polk will be in
TERED at the tomb Of her husband on
the lawn of the Polk place, this city.
Sunday morning at n m Services
will be held At the house. Revs. Nc
Nelly. Steele and Luplon officiating.