Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1897-07-16
DIED In POVERTY.
The Pitiablo Ed CT tho Author OF
the Monroe D ctrine.
Neglected by Country and friends He
Suffered Extreme uardshIps
and Ended Hts Days
In Want,

anu LnueO AAuS 0oyS
In Want.
James Monroe, the immortal ex-
FOUNDER Of doctrine that is to-day the
nrbiter of our national dcstinies, died
in beggary and neglect in little house
that still stands in the city of New
York. The house is old ard cruMbliEg.
Like the grand parsonage who died
destitute there in 1851, it is enduring
u destitute and dccayinG old age, and M
one pays any heed to it. The house
stands ut the northwest corner of
Prince and Marion streets in New York.
The ground floor is converted into a
cheap foreign clearinghouse. There is
a carpenters bench upstairs. The side
walls IRE plucarded with posters, and
the paycments 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
4, 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 Mastered by the
poverty that forced him to go hungry
for want of medicinal food.
The entire neigbborhood of this old
house is rich in historic associations
Of Monroe, who lived here with his sou
in-law, Samuel l.. Grosvenor. Mr..
Grosvenor belonged to a fine old family,
but he was not rich. He chcerfully
gave the former president a home, for
Monroe had actually no other place to
lay his head. He had given up his Vir-
ginia 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 Us q
constitutional until his health gave
out completely. Oddly enough, the
neighborhood still retains the quaint,
old-tashioned, almost colonial charac-
ter it had during James Monroc's time.
Marion street, as you 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 ard 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
everyonc's lips, and whose creed is our
national religion, is utterly neglected.
The j;ngocs of congress have not word
to say with reference to the prcscrva-
ton of this Monroe reflex New York
has allowed it to rot away for years.
Very soon, in the ordinary course Of
eycnts, the Cdificc will lie torn down,
Perhaps it is better SO. While Il
stands it must always Ike reminder
to the American people that they al-
lowed one of the greatest Of their pres
ilcnts to die in destitut,on.
1t was only natural that, during
the period in which Monroe lived at
this now dccaying house, men of emf.
hence should come 10 visit him,
Among them was John Quincy Adams,
lie recorded the visit very infinitely in
his diary. and commented feelingly
upon the miserable copd:tion in which
he found the CX-prcsidcnt. Mr.. Monroe
was indeed very i'll and feeble. Ills
condition was 50 wrctchcd, in view OF
his extreme poverty, that John Quincy
Adams drew very moving portrait Of
the old man. He mentioned the former
magnificence CT Monroe, and, contrast.
ing it with his present indulgence. uade
various reflections upon the mutability
of human fortunes. Those who are
curious on such topics may consult
Adams letters and dairics with profit.
Monroe died at last, with the cannon
booming all about him in honor of the
nations birthday. His son-in-law, MIR.
Grosvenor, afterward told about the
melancholy Of the Old man, whose heart
had been broken by his couptry's neg.
lect. Congress had. with great parsl,
mony. refused payment of certain OF
his claims. Monroe was buried in
Second street cemetery, where his re-
mains lay utterly neglected and un.
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-
ginia. OF all our presidents. Monroe
has been the least honorcd by memor.
ials.-St. Louis Republic.
The Moon WIN Never Change.