Article March 2, 1899 Issue

Was President for One Day

Distinguished Honor Thrust Upon David R. Atchison

THE following incident, which is being published in the newspapers, will doubtless be read with interest, especially by the many who have supposed that Polk was one of the Presidents who served a day longer than his term.

The roll of Presidents of the United States, as ordinarily given, from George Washington to William McKinley, may be historically correct, but there is one omission. If the name of David Rice Atchison should be inserted people generally would exclaim, "Who was he?" Yet David R. Atchison was actually President of the United States for one day.

When? Why, from noon of March 4, 1849, until noon of March 5, 1849. And in this connection there is a story known to few people, and almost forgotten by them.

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