The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1892-06-22


L. POLK residence for ten
days. The result Of a consultation of
physicians was his removal TO the Gar
field Hospital, where an operation was
deemed the only means OF saving his
llfe He became unconscious, from
which condition he never rallied, and it
was decided not 10 perform the opera
ton.
When the end came Mrs. Polk, who
had just arrived in the city, was at his
bedside. kilograms from all parts OF
the South were received inquiring after
Mr.. Folks condition, and he had been
daily visited by prominent men OF the
Farmers Alliance.
Leonidas l.. Polk was native Of An
son County, North Carolina, and was
born on April "a, 1887. He was de-
scendant of the Mecklenburg family
bearing that name, and was related
to Colonel Thomas and William
Polk, brave soldiers of the revo-
luton, and James X. Polk. President
OF the United States. His parents died
while he was youth. He was married
when Fl years of age, and was soon
after nominated and elected to the
lower house Of the State Legislature,
serving at the regular and two extra
sessions in 1850 and 1861. He enlisted
in the Confederate army as private,
declining the offer OF captaincy, and
served in the Twenty-fifth and Forty
third North Carolina regiments OF in
fantry till the autumn OF 1864, at which
time he became the army candidate for
the Legislature, and was elected with
practical unanimity.
In 1865, against his expressed desire,
he was chosen a member of the State
Constitutional Convention. In 1877 he
was elected Commissioner OF Agriculture
for his State. He had meantime con-
tinued on his farm and left it with great
reluctance 10 attend TO his official duties.
In every instance the offices bestowed
upon him sought the man, not the man
the Office He was one Of the earliest
advocates Of the establishment of de-
partment Of agriculture. IL. 1880 he be-
gan the publication of the ! ogressive
Farmer, and at the same time began the
organization of farmers clubs, and
soon had SEQ chartered and in active
working order. He also advocated the
establishment of an agricultural and
and mechanical college and his plan was
finally adopted by the State.
He Thought the alliance before the
people and at its organization in North
Carolina he became its State Secretary
and through his influence the farmers
clubs previously organized by him be-
came a part Of the new organization.
He was the first Vice President of the
alliance in 1887, and in 1889 was chosen
a delegate to the national convention of
the order held in st. Louis, in December,
1889, and took an active part in its de-
alterations. When the Interstate Farm
ers' Association, composed OF delegates
from all cotton States, was organ
lied in 1887, Colonel Polk was elect
ed President by reclamation. lie
was twice reelected 10 that position
without contest. At the convention in
st. Louis in December, 1885, Col Polk
was chosen President Of the National
Farmers Alliance, and held that posi-
ton continuously up to the date of his
death. Under his management the or
deer had a marvellous growth, especially
in the South and West and its influence
was shown by the election of members
Of Congress in North Carolina, Georgia,
Kansas and Minnesota, and has made
great progress in other States, notably
Illinois and Indiana, where in a number
of districts it holds the balance OF
power.
Colonel Polk possessed great per-
sonal magnetism, and was an excellent
organizer, good parliamentarian, and
a pleasing public speaker He was in
the farmers movement from no motives
Of personal ambition or profit, for he
sacrificed much more than he ever could
hope 10 gain from the success Of his
ideas and plans. He was earnest, en-
thusastic and sincere, laboring with
all his energies for the good of his fell
low farmers and the nation at large IL
he had lived he would undoubtedly have
been the candidate OF the Alliance for
President Of the United States at the
election in November next.
The funeral was held at Raleigh, n.
c., his home, Sunday. The train bear
ing the body did not arrive until
o'clock in the afternoon. 1t was met at
the depot 10y hundreds OF people. The
procession was formed and the body
was escorted TO the First Baptist
Church, of which Mr.. Polk was COM
municant. By o'clock the church was
packed, the audience numbering at
least thousand. Among those pres
ent were Gov. Holt and all the State
officers, members of the Su-
preme Court, officers OF the State
Farmers Alliance, and Grand Sire
Buissee, of the Sovereign Grand
Lodge odd Fellows. The services were
conducted by Rev. Drs. j. w. Carter,
L. Z. Skinner and j. ]. Hall. The face
of the dead was exposed, and after the
choir had sung Abide with Me" the en-
tire audience passed in single file by the
casket and viewed the body. The casket
was taken into and out of the church by
the pallbearers, who came from Wash
ington, and who, with ladies who also
came, were given seats in front. At the
como lugiOn of the GaruioaG tho Wachinn-
ton party returned to the train and left
Cor. Iot