The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1909-05-28

The New York state legislature has
passed the measure appropriating $1O,.
900 for the erection of a suitable mon
ument In Undertook in memory of
Martin Van Buren,, eighth president of
The United States, and the first presi.
dent of the nation chosen from New
York state. He was also the first of
the presidents born after the United
States became an Independent nation.
II the bill becomes a law, as seems
probable, the governor will appoint a
commission of five residents of Column
bia county to select a site in the vii
lage Of Undertook, probably in the
Village park, choose the design and
superintend the erection of the memo
rial
President Van Buren, was born in
Undertook December 5, 1882, made
his home there during a major part
pf his life, being Familiarity denoted
Ia his later years as the Sage of Kin
derhook," and died there July "a, 1862,
almost an octogenarian. His grave in
the village cemetery is marked only
BY small monument.
Many evidences of his life in the
staid old Dutch village still remain.
At the side of the village street stands
4 remodeled dwelling pointed out as
the birthplace Of Van Buren,, although
what remains of the original building
Is an addition to the present main
structure, the old hand-hewn timbers
and the walls bearing every evidence
q their antiquity. "Lindenwald," the
estate just south of the village, where
Van Buren, lived In dignified retire
ment during the declining years of his
llIe, Is more closely associated, per-
maps, with the man whose memory the
state now seeks to honor. The hos
pltable residence, fronted by great
Fees, and surrounded by a fertile
farm, remains to-day very much as it
vas when Van Buren, died there. The
Moperty is now occupied by Adam
WAGNER. the present owner.
The life history of Martin Van Buren,
one Of rapid progress to a place of
Womlnence in his state and in the
aauon, The son of farmer, he at
.shded the academy at Undertook in
as youth, and at Ia years of age be-
tsl the study of law, finishing in the
emee Of William P. Van Ness in New
aefK and being admitted to the bar in
seVs before reaching his majority he
~ active in political affairs, and in
ssso was made surrogate of Columbia
ssa1y the youngest surrogate that
Ssuaty mas ever had. He was elected
z sue state senate in 1872, from 1915
y a01s served as encouragement. and
KS again sent to the senate. The re-
SANITATION of the Democratic party
eoio was directed by him, and he
@ leading member of the Albany
ssshcy. In 1921 he was chosen
ssasea states senator from New York.
= the same year was a member
'ne convention for revision Of the
10y constitution. In 1927 he was re.
eiected as United Stotos aona.. -.
snso IN 1928 on being elected gov
ss aol q New York state. In March.
sss, ae was appointed secretary of
sa,s U President Jacksons cabinet.
eslgned in April, 1891 In SEN
A0sf o. that year he went as min
IIs N. = England, but in December the
sSs - states senate refused to ratify
AZ, p ~, chiefly on the ground
1890 niis secretary of state he had
Iss ss0 !. domestic party matters
el0 foreign diplomacy. This n sadv's a.,
AN made Van Buren, more popular
ae,s,, ssel. and in May, 1892. he was
a q BY the Democratic narty
800. president, and elected IN Nc !,
s',sf lr 1886 he was elected tee
n' receiving ITO to 70 electoral