Zachary Taylor, "Old Rough and Ready," 12th president of the United States, became ill shortly after attending a ceremony dedicating the construction of the Washington Monument on a swelteringly hot July 4th 1850. Five days later, July 9th 1850, he succumbed to the progression of this illness.
A hero of the Mexican War, President Taylor had been elected in 1848 as a candidate of the Whig Party. His election occurred in the midst of the deepening sectional crisis between North and South that ultimately would result in the American Civil War. His candidacy had been attractive because of his status as a war hero and to southerners because he was a slave holder on his Louisiana property. Although he had never himself even voted in a presidential election, he defeated Lewis Cass, Democratic Senator from Michigan, and Martin Van Buren, candidate of the Free Soil Party.
The acquisition of vast new former Mexican territories deepened the divisions between North and South as debate centered on whether slavery would be permitted in these lands. Much of the brief Taylor presidential tenure centered about this issue. President Taylor confounded and angered his fellow southerners with his staunch opposition to the extension of slavery to these regions where it had previously been abolished by Mexico and his adherence to Union. At one time when prominent southerners threatened secession, President Taylor is alleged to have threatened to "hang them with less reluctance than he had hung deserters and spies in Mexico."
In the midst of all the stresses of these and other issues it was likely a welcome diversion to attend July 4th stone laying ceremonies dedicating the construction of the Washington Monument. President Taylor listened to a long oration under a blazing sun. Afterwards he consumed considerable quantities of cold liquids including iced milk and like quantities of raw fruit, likely cherries. Within hours he was ill with nausea and cramps.
Over the succeeding days he had persistent intestinal symptoms including diarrhea and was said to have intermittent fevers. He was treated by his doctors with calomel, opium, and quinine. By July 6 he seemed better only to relapse with progressive diarrhea and prostration despite his doctors continued ministrations. By July 9 he appeared moribund. Last minute bleeding and blistering by his doctors was of no avail and he passed away at 10:35 P.M. that night.
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