The Newtown bee., 1890-01-03
HUNTINGTON.
WALNUT TREE HILLS FLAG

" Ai"tNti HILL
 The pleasant school room at Walnut Tree Hill was crowded, Monday after noon, at the flag raising. A flag staff 67 feet high had been set up on the lawn in front of the school building and is a fine one in every respect. The pole is of chestnut and the tOpmast of whitewood. The whole is neatly painted and topmast rigging adds to the strength of the upper pole. Most of those present were resi- dents of the district, with few invited guests. At the appointed hour, Seth w. Linsley invited the audience to assemble on the lawn and Miss Cora A. Wheeler, surrounded by circle of children, grace fully raised the flag to the mast head, where it tloated in the breeze. Three hearty cheers were given and then all gathered in the school room, which was nicely decorated for Christmas. The eX- erclses commenced with singing ''The Star Spangled Banner" Miss Park or ganist. Mir Linsley introduced Rev W. I. Magill, who made few remarks and offered brief and appropriate prayer. Hon Joseph Tomlinson was then intro duced and gave few thoughts upon the great and cardinal principles established by the Puritans, maintained In the war of the Revolution, re-established in the war of the Rebellion and are now per meating and moulding the thoughts, in l stitutions and legislation of other nations. The flag then and there raised was the emblem of peace, with the halo of liber- ty around it and, as it fioated in many a foreign harbOr, it was looked upon with : longing for sight and resting place in the land of freedom which it represented. l The children were eXhorted to thorough ly study the history of their country and to imbibe with their teachings true Joy atty and patriotism. After singing ''The Red, White and Blue," Hon Stephen T. Palmer made felicitous speech, in which he spoke of the origin of the stars and stripes, the growth of the nation un- der it and the potent power it represent ed. He instanced the case of an Ameri- can who, in foreign land, was arrested and condemned to die for a crime of which he was innocent and was led to the place of execution in spite of the eff forts of the United States consul. As a last resort, just as the guns of the sol diery were raised to pierce him with bull lets, the consul threw around him the United States flag and dared them to fire upon it. The guns dropped and the young man afterward satisfactorily prov ed his innocence. Mir Linsley read the following telegram received during the exercises:
 ley I heartily commend the patriotism of the people of Walnut Tree Hill in the success ful endeavor to inspire the children with q love for their country and flag by it's constant
 MORGAN G. BULKLEY.
 Mir Linsley had written Gov Bulkeley of the project and had invited him to be present. "America' was sung and, as the exercises were about to close, James Beardsley Wheeler, a resident of the dis trict, stepped forward and stated that lie had prepared paper and was invited to read it. It contained many interesting facts concerning the town, the school district and some of it's former residents. He was given a good round of applause at its close. The people were then invit- ed across the way to the house of Lean der J. Wheeler, which was kindly thrown open for the occasion and, in the dining room, a long table was loaded with good things, the ladies of the district having provided this part of the entertainment. At the conclusion of the feast, a rousing vote of thanks was given the ladies William H. Thompson, who started the project and gave much time in preparing the staff; MT Olsen, who presented the flag to the district. This gift was appre- ciated by the good people of the district, coming from Mir Olsen, a German by birth, but now loyal and patriotic citi- zen. This is the first flag, so far as heard from, raised over a country school house, especially the first to receive the commendation of the governor'-[S Senti-