Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-08-14
MRS. POLK DYING.
Life of President Folks Widow
Despaired Of.
HER CAREER AS THE FIRST LADY"

Social Changes That She Made in the
White House RecePtions-Dancing and
Refreshments Abolished-An OId-Time
Belle Who Has Reached a Great Age
Funerals of Editors Jones and Raster,
One at New York and the Other at
Chicago.
NASHVILLE, Aug. 14-Mrs. Polk, the
venerable widow of President James X.
Polk, is lying in an extremely critical con-
dltlon at her home, Polk place, this city.
She is IS years old, and is very feeble.
Mrs. Polk was suddenly attacked Wednes-
day night shortly after returning from a
drive. As she entered her room she was
seized by an intense pain, and fell across
her bed in an almost unconscious condi-
ton. Four physiciana were hastily sum-
moned, and found Mrs. Polk suffering
from severe congestion. Although the
pain was great, Mrs. Polk retained con-
sciousness.
Slight Improvement Noted.
She rested easy during the latter part
of the night, and yesterday morning was
thought to be somewhat improved Her
physicians, however, do not entertain
much hope of her recovery, and are in
constant attendance at her bedside. Yes
terday afternoon her condition was be-
lieved to be better. She has been resting
quietly ever since, apparently suffering no
pain. Sarah c. Polk earned the name of
being one of the handsomest. if not the
very handsomest, woman called upon to
do the honors of the White House as wife
of a president
Her Reign at the White House.
She was regarded as one of the bers 60
tertainers of her time In society she
held high place; not so much because Of
her hospitable nature as on account of the
charm of manner and the wonderful tact
which distinguished her. Mrs Polk was
bold innovator- When her husband be-
came president social circles throughout
the country were in a whirl of ecstacy;
glorious times in Washington were pre-
dicted. But the new lady of the White
House had little plans of her own. She
introduced at once the system of holding
weekly receptions.
Two Social Reforms.
This was we'll and good, and in line with
the general expectation, but she issued
ukase to the effect that dancing would
not, in her Judgment, be in keeping with
the character of the entertainments, so
abolished The next reform was to abol-
ish the custom of giving refreshments to
the guests. These reforms at first sent a
cold chill through the hearts of the belize
and beaux, but Mrs Folks force of char
acter stood the test, and the receptions in
every other respect We're rendered so
charming by the hostess that she soon Ie-
gained her popularity.
An Enslishwoman's Tribute.
At one of these receptions a prominent
South Carolinian said to Mrs. Polk:
Madam, there is woe pronounced against
you in the Bible" She wanted to know
what this meant. We'll, the Bible says
Woe unto you when all men shall speak
well of YOU" An English lady visiting
Washington during Folks presidency
said of Mrs. Polk, "She is one of the
hair is very black and her dark eyes and
complexion remind one of beautiful
Spanish donna. She is well read, has
ly popular
Her Birth and Marriage.
"Her excellent taste in dress preserves
the subdued though elegant costumes that
she wears" Mrs. Polk was born at Muir
freesboro, Rutherford county, Tenn.
Sept. 4, 1903. Her parents were Joel and
Elizabeth Childress, who lived in comfort
able circumstances on farm. She was
educated in the Moravian institute at Sa-
lem, \. c. Shortly after her return from
school she married Mr.. Polk, who was at
the time member of the Tennessee legis-
lature Since the death of her husband
Mrs. Polk has resided at Nashville.