The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-01-01
4x-PRE
come Died in Poverty-others Amassed
Comfortable Fortunes in Various
ways.

People are much interested in what
Mr.. Woodrow Wilson will do with him
self after his departure from the White
House. March 4. 1921. Mr. Cleveland
after his first term said that "the sit
uation of an ex-president is the most
wretched thing in the world" This
was rather broad remark, as many
of our ex-presidents have been quite
content.
AS for Mr. Wilson. his situation"
will probably be anything but wretch
ed provided his health continues to
mend. Several papers and magazines
have already made bids for his pro-
fessional services and the use of his
name when his term expired. His
words, actions and manner of life will
be noted by all the world. for his po-
sition has been conspicuous and his
recession into comparative obscurity
after having dominated the nations of
the world, will be followed by the con-
Germ and curiosity of everybody.
Ex-presidents seem to be liable to
the same fortunes and misfortunes as
other folk. Some have been rich and
others have been poor. Some have
been happy after leaving the White
| House and others have not A num-
ber have retired into seclusion and a
number have pursued active and useful
lives after leaving the office. Nova
days an ex-president can command a
large income because the prestige con-
4 ferred by the high office has great val
ue in the commercial world. This has
not always been the case, however and
the fates of our ex-presidents have
been extremely varied.
George Washington, always wealthy
retired to his S000-acre plantation at
Mt. Vernon. and at the time of his
death was probably the richest man in
the country leaving an estate of more
| than 100000. John Adams retired to
his estate near Quincy. Mass. where
he spent his last rs years in agricul-
tural and literary pursuits.
When jefferson retired he was much
| in debt; nevertheless he entertained
lavishly and each year ran more be-
hind financially. His affairs at last got
into such shape that he was compelled
to ask congress to buy his library, fol
which he received S2S,OOO. In spite OF
this, he died in bankruptcy II years
after his departure from the White
House. He was a devoted farmer. He
also took an active interest in public
affairs and he mainly started the Uni
i versity Of Virginia.
After Madison left Washington he re-
tired to his estate in. Virginia and lived
a secluded life for 10 years. becoming
practically~a recluse He left his widow
comfortably we'll off, but a spendthrift
son squandered all the family fortune
and at her death she was struggling
for an existence.
Monroe at his retirement was embar-
rsssed by debts and opened a law office
in New York, but was not very sue
cessful. Worry FASTENED his death
which occurred six years later.
]. @. Adams accepted an election tC
the House of Representatives from
Massachusetts and served in that ca
pacity until the time of his death, Il
years later. He died from stroke o.
apoplexy, on the floor of the house.
Jackson withdrew to his home il
Nashville, Tenn, where he entertained
a great deal His house became a meet
ing-place for politicians of his faith
and his influence was deeply felt II
politics until the time of his death, siS
years later He left almost nothing
most of his money going to pay debts
of an adopted son.
VanBuren was so well off that HI
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