New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-15
PRESIDENT POLK'S WIDOWDEAD
THE AGED woMANs PEACEFUL END.
SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS, 10 WHOM SHE GAVE

SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS. 10 WHOM SHE GAVE
PARTING BLESSING
Nashville Tenn Aug. I4-surrounded by ie"
friends and relatives, Mrs. James X POLK, rene. VI
the tenth President Of the United States deo at oO
O'Clock this morning peacefully ana quieoy Ill 'no
full possession Of her mental faculties MIS- run
had been perfect health until last Wednesday even
Ing when, on returning from short drive sne was
taken suddenly III from which attack she never racu'
Had she lived until September she would h@N'
eighteen years beyond the allotted time OF throe
score and ten The real cause of her death was
simply exhaustion resulting from old age. for a
time Wednesday evening she was unconscious ou'
after rsnying apparently suffered no pain.
Mrs. Polk slept at intervals during last might In
her waking moments she conversed with members OF
the family who were In constant attendance. Dr.
J. W. waddln remained at Polk Place last might but
had Just left her apartment TO go across the seet 10
his home when she died.
Mrs. Polk was conscious Of the approaching change.
and only few moments before it came called upon
her surrounding family, and placing her hnnd upon
the head Of each member, gave her blessing.
Just before the end Mrs. Polk requested that the
Rev. J. H. McNeily, D. D., be summoned. He, how
ever did not reach her bedside until she had breathed
her last. He then conducted prayers with the family
One of the physicians who attended Mrs. Polk says
that she told this morning that the emo was ao
hand. Yes she quietly replied, 81 Know it' lid
ready Tor III, ana nave been HI rpo~J WV
III summons Of my Master" She then at length al
tested her faith in the Christian religion and the peace
of mind and happiness 1t had always gwen her, even
unto the present moment. From this expression she
continued with clear voice, though becoming mo
mentarly feebler TO thank God for His goodness ano
His mercy through ell her life, and quoted stanzas
from the hymn az Would Not Live Away"
The bells throughout the city were toIed this lore
noon, and sympathy and regret were heard from the
masses OF people as they gazed upon the bulletins an
nouncing the event. Mrs. Polk was sincerely oeloVed
and respected by the community.
large number of kilograms Of coincidence were re-
c,lved from prominent people in al parts OF tno
country and the flag the state Capitol was paceu
at half-mast The funeral will occur sunday morning.
the remains being placed In vault SonsiD' u"''0
her distinguished husband
u,,orr .scort for the funeral was offered. but the
FAMILY wish p have tho ceremony very unostentatious
varons local societies have adopted resolutions OF TO
speot The burial place of the family Is the large y@u
surrounding the Polk mansion.
r,,+shrrg psnn Aug 14.-"The Chronicle Teio-
9raphp has the following account OF INC nio Vi VI
James K Polk: AIRS. Polk was born oep'enioo' -
1aOa at MurfreesbOro Tenn. She was married 10 mr.
pin when stII in her teens and had lived continuously
=, Nashville except when in Washington during ule
c,osstonaI career OF her distinguished husDsnu auu
vrhe mistress Of the White House. For Vho ISss ts
wears she had lived in seclusion. fresiuen' Tn -
-. ,or,a estate at the time OF his death, WHICH,
= - tooetber toleraby well until the Clvn war;
y,hen nearly everything was destroyed or lost mrs
I,oIh,s income kept dwindnng down unth I<'ii
a., roore aoo when she found herself well ngh pew
ri,css When bin was introduced in congress W ee
+bA widow OF President Lincoln pension Oh qo'0OV
voar IL lacked one vote in the Senate to secure ls p
sape That was the vote Of Senator Ho"eh n, '"en
son NJ Tennessee He offered to vote for tho DiiI "a
v,ded II was 50 amended to give annuei PeSono ~
9, 600 TO Mrs. Polk and TO the widow Vi r'c''
TvI-r az well as Mrs. Lincoln, ana tle olA '0 a.,
Low. since that time Mrs. Polk had lived on e'nS
pension. ... ,,.r,s that was
ever left to be probated by an ntelnsenO ian 80 10
thing was Owen 10 his wife, and at her uee'n " W
80, oror q N the most deserving member OF thc
t- teoTnO The name OF Polk the decision 70 Do
made nv the state legislature Inc neHo T.rness-e
until recently state treasurer IUln, ,o N will
a. whom n was supposed the estate W0uH so' de-
10 WHO'LL b ~ tbat few years ago he became Te
faulfer to large amount ana neu tlg 5 h III famy
diving In Mexico His dishonesty GU I'M attid s now
g Ind inst how the matter VIII Do seIur Is - tbe
on S There are no other deserving members OF p Se
FAMILY hearing the Polk name ana 70" eIuU ater n
l. dead the courts Will nave " W. gI Stand a LEGAL
| Is NOT believed that the document VIII s'""" NO.
10th AZ washington and in Nashville Mrs PolE was
Cnised gracious and charming figure IN svS!e,Sy,
Tho white House she abolished caru,pEr lnf
Mild d IN being strict Presbyteran but ner tae'
G con versstionai powers made her ghly b
and many memorable speeches an itc Martha Wash
dining this part OF her career LIZ % Iinop her
r+6 She received her guests sitting. CPom I in
rstnpn 10 Nashville she continued 20 pcou Ra tros
nuental social Po9Iuol, b snrit and was always
atifed Mt receiving visits, though her Nc VI poIrS
ars has been very quiet and peaceInl Srso ,yin .
ydn name was sarah Childers, and arter I'M,
fne educator she was married al toe as0 u "-''0
! teen