The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-09-20
INFERRED On CAPITOL HILL.
Remains of President and Mrs. Polk in
Their Last Resting-Place.

NASHVILLE, Tenn, Sept. 19.-With SIM
pie but solemn ceremonies the remains of
James Knox Polk. tenth President of the
United States, and those Of his wife. Mrs.
Sarah Childress Polk. were to-day removed
from the tomb at Polk Place. the old fsmI-
" residence in this city. to g picturesque
spot In the State Capitol grounds. and
there rendered. The services at Polk
Place and Capitol hill were very impress
sive. and the occasion was observed with
due honor and respect by the State. the
city. the church ana the public. During
the hour fixed for the removal the public
offices and business establishments were
closed. and the bells of the City Hall and
the various churches were tOlled.
At 6 o'clock the remains were taken
from the tomb on the east front of Polk
Place and reverently borne into the draw
ing room of the historic mansion. where
Rev. j. Fl. MoNeilly. ID. d.. pastor of Glen
Leven Churcn, made some brief remarks
and offered a fervent prayer. At 1l:50. at
the conclusion of the service at the hou SO.
the remains of President and Mrs. Polk
were convey ed to the hearees. Both of tn Q
vehicles were drawn by fOnr white horses.
The ~cortege being formed. the journey to
Capitol hill was begun. In the procession
wers city. State and federal officials and
military and Civic organizations. At the
tomb on Capitol hill the services were con-
Quoted under the direction of Rev. Jerry
WitherspoOn, ID. D.. of the First Presbyte-
rian Church. of which Mrs. Polk was q
member. The tomb il on the north side of
Capitol hill and near the equestrian statue
of President Andrew jackson.
The monument over the graves of Presi-
dent and Mrs. Polk was designed by VIM.
Strickland. 1t Is q square open temple.
M h. aaa Ts~o EA ~ AhD
words: James Knox Polk, tenth Presi-
dent of the United States. Born Nov. 2,
1875; died June IS. 1S49." The following in
scriptiOn is In the center of the tomb: 1.-The
resting in the vault beneath. He was born
IN Mecklen burg county. North Carolina. and
emlgrated with his father. Samuel Polk, to
Tennessee In 1906. The beauty of virtue
WAS illustrated in his life. the excellence
bis death" These words appear
on the north side: His life was
devoted to the public service. He was
elected successfully TO the first places In
the State and federal governments. a mem-
Der of CONGRESS and chairman OF the most
Important congressional committees,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,.
Governor OF Tennesseea and President OF the
United States" On the south side are the
words: "By his public policy he defined.
established and extended the boundaries of
his country. He planted the laws OF the
American union on the shores of the
Pacific. His influence and his counsels
tended to organize the national treasury
on the principles of the Constitution. and
TO apply the rule of freedom to Navigation,
trade and industry"
The fourth side Of the tomb has the fol.
lowing inscriptions: Mrs. Sarah Cbildress
Polk. wife of James Knox Polk. Born in
Rutherford county. Tennessee. Sept. 4, 1903.
Died at Polk Place. Nashville, Tenn. Aug.
IA. 1891. A noble woman. u devoted wife.
a true friend. a sipcere Christian. Blessed
are the dead which die In the Lord"
After the death of Mrs. Polk suit was
brought in the Chancery Court, by de-
scendants of President Polk. to set aside
the will of the President and divide Polk
Place among them. The chancellor derid-
ed the Presidents will was void. inasmuch
as 1t provided for perpetuity. by declaring
that the property should forever remain in
possession of the Polk family. passing.
from time to time. TO the worthiest bearing
the name of Polk. The General Assembly
soon afterward passed q resolution setting
aside O site for q tomb.