Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-08-20
Ex-pRESIOENT pOLK'S WIDOW.
Personal Traits of a Famous Mis-
tress of the White House.

a Most Charming Woman and valu-
able Assistant to Her Distinguished
Husband--Ier Widowed Days at Polk
Place.
Mrs. Sarah Childress Polk, widow Of
ex-President James X. Polk, who died
in Nashville, Tenn, last Friday morn
ing, had nearly completed her S8th year,
having been born near Murfreesboro,
Rutherford county, Tenn, on Septem-
Der 4th, 1908. In that beautiful portion
of the south, almost wilderness then,
passed the younger days of her life, and
there is little to record of it save its con
tentment and tranquil happiness. Her
father was Captain Joel Childress, q
farmer in easy circumstances and con-
sidered rich for those days, who allowed
his children every benefit TO be derived
from his fortunate circumstances. The
Moravian Institute, at Salem, N. c., was
chosen by Mr.. Childress as the most
suitable place for.his little daughter, and
she was placed in that strict and most
thorough establishment. There she
attained discipline and culture, and her
school days with their varying shadow
and sunshine passed quietly away.
MARRIED AT NINETEEN.
In 1929, at the early age of 10, she
Murfreesboro. The wedding was a
festival of rejoicing, at which many
friends Of the bride and groom assisted,
and was characterized by the abundance
and merrlment customary at that day.
Mr.. Polk had recently entered public
life, and was then member Of the
legislature of Tennessee In the follow
ing year he was elected to Congress
from the district at that time composed
of the counties Of Giles, Maury, Lincoln
and Bedford. During IA sessions he
continued the representative of that dis
trlct. After having served on the most
important committees in the house, he
was, in 1896, elected speaker of the
house of representatives.
Mrs. Polk accompanied her husband
to Washington every winter during his
congressional career, except in a single
instance. She occupied there con
splcuous place in society, and by her
polite manners and sound Judgment
made her companionship pleasant and
inspiriting, not only to Mr.. Polk, but to
the friends by whom he was surrounded.
Mrs. Polk was highly cultivated, with
out being literary woman. Beinginter
ested in all that related 10 her husband,
she took pains to inform herself fully
in political affairs, and read all the news
and discussions Of the day.
LADY OF THE WHITE HOUSE.
When Mr.. Polk declined reelection
to Congress and was chosen governor of
Tennessee, in 1889, Mrs. Polk went back
with him to Nashville, but six years
later returned TO Washington with him,
on his election TO the Presidency. to
become mistress of the White House.
Having no children to distract her at
tention, she was enabled to devote her
entire time to the duties of that exalted
position. She held weekly receptions
at the White House, but abolished the
custom of giving refreshments to the
guests, and also forbade dancing, as out
Of keeping with the character of these
entertainments and the place in which
they were given. To one who disap.
proved of these reforms she pleasantly
said you would not dance in the
Presidents house, would you?" To-
day the thing would not be tolerated
but the one who took the initiative in
the change must of course, have come
in for certain amount of censure, vet
her exceeding affability tiled her over
and where less potent social factor
would have gone down, she won.
Like Lady Washington, Mrs. Polk
was accustomed to receive her guests
sitting. Once when she sat gayly tplk
ing with the crowd around her sofa n
distinguished South Carolinian raised
f.ftpp -h.a -. l.. L 4
said MADAM, there is a woe pro-
nounced against you in the Bible"
Every voice was hushed, and a scared
look came over the faces of the guests;
only Mrs. Polk was at ease, and while
her black eyes flashed she said, with a
bright smile: "What have | done ?"
well" he replied, "thc Bible says,
Woe unto you when all men speak well
OF you" Again the guests breathed
freely and the wit and gayety continued.
An English lady visiting Washington at
this time thus described the Presidents
wife.
Mrs. Polk is very handsome wo-
man. Her hair is very black, and her
dark eyes and complexion remind one
OF the spanish donnas. She is well
read, has much talent for conversation,
and is highly popular Her excellent
taste In dress reserves the subdued
though excellent costume that character
ICES the lady"
WITTY REPLY TO HENRY CLAY.
In the last year Of her stay in the Ex-
ecutive Mansion there was grand din
ner party. Henry Clay, as the most
honored guest, sat at Mrs. Folks right
hand. In the happy manner and silvery
tone which took every heart by storm,
he said; MADAM, i must say that in
my travels, wherever l have been, in all
companies and among all parties, l have
heard but one opinion of you. All agree
In commencing your excellent admins.
tration Of the domestic affairs of the
White House; but" looking toward her
husband, "as for that young gentlemen
there | cannot say as much. There is
some little difference of opinion in re-
| gard TO the policy of his course"
Mrs Folks happy gift at repartee
never failed her indeed she said, II
am glad to hear that my administration
is popular, and, in return for your com.
pliment, ! will say that, if the country
should elect Wing next fall. | know
OF no one whose elevation would please
me more than that Of Henry Clay. And
VIII assure you of one thing, if you
90 nave the occasion to occupy the
White House on the 4th of March next,
y shall be surrendered to you in perfect
order from garnet to cellar"
=, THANK you, thank your said Mr..
clay. | am certain that"- The great
wing leader was doubtless glad to have
drowned what he was about to say in
the shouts OF laughter that had followed
Mrs. Folks rejoinder.