The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-05
LONELY GRAVE.
President FilImOre's Last Rest
ing Place
Is Neglected and Forgotten at
Buffalo.
FLOWERS BLOOM
Within the Confines of the
Rusty Fence
And the Gate Squeaks Upon Its
Hinges.

Buffalo, N. Y, July 5.-Neglected and
! forgotten is the final resting place of
Willard Fillmore and his family in
Forest Lawn, the beautiful city of the
dead People who visit that beautiful
spot, especially SO at this time, say
that its lovely surroundings rob death
OF its terrors. However that may be,
1t does seem to the average mortal
just a bit selfish and ungrateful to for
get those great men who have made the
nations history.
The bier of Willard Fillmore, express
tdent of the United States, and one of
the most brilliant men of his time, is
practically forgotten. 1t lies on the
brow of one Of the wooded hills in the
loveliest section Of Forest Lawn. A
rusty iron fence surrounds the enclos-
ure and the unlocked gate squeaks dis
mally on it's hinges.
The sexton and his helpers are re-
spOnsible for the well kept and closely
cut lawn, but there is not a bud or
blossom of any kind to tell that some
one still holds the name and generous
character of that great statesman of
the past in loving remembrance. He
was a, man of national reputation He
had won the highest hOnOrs this grand
republic can bestow.
He had given of his great wealth to
every charity and phiIauthropic enter
prise of which this city could boast
during his lifetime, and many Of them
owe their prosperity today to his wise
and judiciOus financial policy
A substantial Scotch granite mOnu-
ent indicative of the grand character of
the man whose name, date of birth and
age are inscribed on its polished sur
face, is all that remains to tell the
thousands of visitors to Forest Lawn
that this is the final resting place Of
one of the most illustrious OF this ma
TONS distinguished men.
thrifty Norway pine filings out It's
protecting branches and stands like
sentinel marking the tomb Of the dead
statesman. The ROBIN redbreast and
other feathered sOngsters sing their
sweet mathis and build their nests In
its shady boughs.
Nature in its wonderful bounty has
done more to make beautiful this sacred
spot than ungratefuI man. Sleeping
all about the Fillmore plot are the ashes
OF men and women who in life were
perhaps only known to the little circle
in which they moved. On Memorial
day, when the nations living honor the
dead heroes and great men of the past,
Willard FiIlmOre's grave was ignored,
while those all about him were crowned
with dainty blossoms, placed there by
loving hands.
his first wife was with him at Wash
ington. She was a woman of sweet
and lovely character, and during her
reign at the White House she distin-
guished herself by her true womanly
spirit and devotion to her family and
home.
She was a leader in the social life of
the national capital, and a reigning
favorite with all the wives and daugh-
tiers of the officials at Washington. She
manifested a deep and absorbing in
terest in all national questions and
demonstrated her ability to honor the
position Of leading lady Of the land
She established the library at the
White House, and It stands today
monument to her Ateary worth and
character.
The old Fillmore mansion on Niagara
square, with it's beautifully quaint
style Of architecture, is, perhaps, one
of the most striking memories Of the
late Willard Fillmore.