The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1896-07-11
JAMES MonRoe.s DEATH.
author OF the Doctrine Bearing His Name
Died In Poverty.

FOUNDER of doctrine that is to-day the
,rbiter of our national destinies, died
III beggary and neglect in little house
that still stands in the city of New
York. The house is old and crumbling.
Like the grand parsonage who died
des situte there in 1881, it is enduring
Il destitute and decaying old age, and no
one pays any heed to it.. The house
stands Mt the northwest corner of
Prince and Marion streets in New York
The ground floor is converted into q
cheap foreign clearinghouse. There is
a carpenters bench upstairs. The side
walls are placarded with posters, and
the pavements are Uttered with refuse.
In the second-story front room of this
battered old residence James Monroe,
fifth, and, in many respects, one of the
greatest of the presidents, died, on July
I, 1881, so poor that his son-in-law bor-
rowed some money to bury him with.
james Monroe wanted the necessaries
of his feeble condition during his last
days. His death was FASTENED by the
poverty that forced him to go hungry
| for want of medicinal food.
The entire neighborhood of this old,
house is rich in historic associations
OF Monroe, who lived here with his SON.
in-law, Samuel l.. Grosvenor Mr..
Grosvenor belonged to fine old family,
but he was not rich. He cheerfully
gave the former president home, for
Monroe had actually no other place to
lay his head. He had given up his vir-
G. aia residence, and official life had
completely drained his resources.
The most delightful and interesting
accounts of the life led by James Mon
roe in his New York refuge are still ex-
tant. He was country gentleman of
the old school, and was, of course, Deep
ly respected by all his neighbors as an
ex-president of the United States. He
daily walked down Marion street as a
constitutional until his health gave
out completely. Oddly enough, the
neighborhood still retains the quaint,
old-fashioned, almost colonial charac-
ter it had during James Monroe's time.
Marion street, as yon leave the door of
the immortal doctrines expounder, is
still occupied by the houses which stood
there in 1881. These houses belong to
old families, among whom Monroe's
name is personal tradition. The
sons and daughters of the children
who played about the door can tell
you about Monroe in his stockings and
stock, because he saluted their parents
as they saluted him.
BY singular stroke of fortune this
old house, with its three stories and
attic, is still strong and intact. The
American people are very ready to con-
tribute to the preservation of Carlyle's
house in London, while to-day the
house of the man whose name is on
everyone's lips, and whose creed is our
national religion, is utterly neglected.
The jingoes of congress have not a word
to say with reference to the preserva-
ton of this Monroe relic. New York
has allowed it to rot away for years.
Very soon, in the ordinary course of
events, the edifice will be torn down.
Perhaps it is better so. While it
stands it must always be reminder
to the American people that they az
lowed one of the greatest of their pres
idents to die in restitution.
1t was only natural that, during
the period in which Monroe lived at
this now decaying house, men of cn,i-
hence should come to visit him.
Among them was John Quincy Adams.
He recorded the visit very infinitely in
his diary, and commented feelingly
upon the miserable condition in which
he found the ex-president. Mr.. Monroe
was indeed very i'll and feeble. HIS
condition was SO wretched, in view Of
his extreme poverty, that John Quincy
Adams drew very moving portrait IF
the old man. He mentioned the former
magnihcence of Monroe, and, contrast
ing it with his present indulgence, made
various reflections upon the mutability
of human fortunes. Those who are
curious on such topics may consult
Adams letters and dairies with profit.
Monroe died at last, with the cannon
booming all about him in honor of the |
nations birthday. His son-in-law, Mr..
Grosyenor, afterward told about the
melancholy of the old man, whose heart |
had been broken by his country's neg
lect. Congress had, with great parsi- |
mony, refused payment of certain OF |
his claims. Monroe was buried in |
second street cemetery, where his re-
mains lay utterly neglected and I'M
marked for years, until the legislature
of Virginia appropriated funds for
their removal to his native state. The |
usual buffeting of fortune followed |
them, for vandals stole the bronze from |
the grave after the interment in Vir-
GINA. OF all our presidents. Monroe
has been the least honored by memor.
ials.-St. Louis Republic.
The California Lion.
The running. and leaping ability of
the California lion when hard pressed /
l. A.