Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1891-08-20
MRS. JAMES X. POLK.

Death of the Widow of the Tenth Presi-
dent of the United States at the Old
Homestead i'm Nashville, Tenn.-She En-
joyed the Distinction of Having Been
One of the Most Beautiful and Digniheo
Women that Ever Graced the White
House.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Aug. 15.-Mrs.
Sarah Polk, widow of President james
*. Polk, died at the Polk mansion in
this city at $50 a. m. Her death was
that of a Christian. She sank gently to
rest without struggle. She was sur
rounded by the members of the immedi-
ate family, and just before her death
she called them up and placing her
hand upon their heads offered prayer
and blessing
Mrs. Polk had been in perfect health
until last Wednesday evening, when, on
returning from a short drive, she was
taken suddenly i'll from which she
never rallied. Had she lived until Sep
TENDER next she would have been
eighteen years beyond the allotted time
of three score and ten. The cause Of
her death was simply exhaustion re-
sulting from old age.
The bells throughout the city are
mournfully tolling. and sympathy and
regret are heard from the masses Of
people as they gaze upon the bulletin
announcing the demise of this honored
and beloved lady, who spent her years
among the people she loved so well. and
who respected her as one of the noblest
of her sex.
Mrs. Polk since her husbands death
had lived in the old Polk homestead on
Polk place. 1t is in the front yard of
this venerable mansion that the ex-
president is buried. She lived quiet,
transformations life, doing nothing which
would attract attention to herself. save
on the one accession when she was a
sutton before the government for pen
sion as the widow of President Polk,
which congress voted her. She was
not left any means to amount to any
thing by her husband, and her life was
one of qusi-poverty.
History can have little to say about
the woman whose death marks one more
step in the passage of time and erects
one more headstone, save to speak of
her beauty and admirable womanly
qualities. 1t will accord to her the
distinction of having been one of the
handsomest women who ever graced
the White House. She was also a hos
pitable first lady. and most successful
as an entertainer, possessing a charm
of manner and tact which has never
been exceled by her successors. She it
was who established the innovation of
weekly receptions in the White House,
whose ceremonial stateliness entailed
the abolition of the old-tim good cheer,
of which refreshments and dancing
formed a conspicuous part.
Mrs. Folks maiden name was Sarah
Childress. She was born near Muir
freesboro, September 4, 1903. Her IA
Their, Joel Childress, was a prosperous
farmer. He gave his daughter an ex-
cellent education, upon the completion
of which she met and married Mr..
Polk. then a member of the Tennes-
see legislature. The next year
Mr.. Polk was sent to congress. and
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 at Home and Abroad.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Aug. 16.-The in
telligence of Mrs. Folks death spread
rapidly through the city and beyond
the state, and many kilograms of con-
dolence We're received by the family
from absent relatives and friends. The
flag on the state capitol was placed at
half-mast, and Gov. Buchanon sent a
letter to the family expressing his own
sympathy and that of the people of the
state, while Adjt. Gen. Norman ten
dered a military escort and guard at
the funeral.
Resolutions of respect to the memory
of Mrs. Polk were adopted by the State
Farmers Alliance in session here, and
similar action will be 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 a. m. Services
will be held at the house. Revs. Nc
Nelly, Steele and Luplon officiating.
ROBBED THE ROBBERS.