Perhaps no president has had his remains fought over more than Polk. He passed away in 1849 just months after leaving the White House, and from the beginning, his wishes were ignored. Because he died of cholera, he received a quick burial in a city cemetery for sanitary reasons.And why would I bother posting about this? Because it reminds me of a favourite song from They Might be Giants:
The next year, Sarah Polk insisted he be moved to their Nashville home, Polk Place, as stated in his will.
He lay there until after Sarah's death in 1891. With no direct heirs, a judge divided the estate, leading to Polk Place's demolition and the tomb's relocation.
"I don't know that we're taking an honor away, and I would agree it is an honor to be buried at the Capitol, but it's a little bit difficult to get to," says Thomas Price, the curator of the James K. Polk Home and Museum in Columbia, Tenn.
Price says he wants the tomb moved an hour away, to the only home still standing where Polk actually lived.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
He gets around
Quite an odd story at NPR about how many times the body of President James Polk has been moved, and how it's still possibly on the move:
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