Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-12
THE STORY OF BARBARA rRErrcHrE


Her Name Was Mrs. Mary Quantrclle, 50
It is Claimed.
How the story of Barbara Freitchie, which the
poet Whittier 30 beautifully told, originated
was explained by Mrs. Southworth, the novel
ist, the other day to STAR reporter. As Mrs.
Southworth then said she sent the incident to
Mr.. Whittier as It was told to her by he,
neighbor, Mr.. c. 8. Ramsburg. This version
of the connection of Mrs. Freitchie with this
incident is questioned by Mrs. Virgil Quantrelle
Brown Of this city, who writes to The STAR as
follows:
The good poet Whittier is dead, but long
will live the poem of barbara Freitche," and
why not have a correct version of it, SO tho
public may still admire the beautiful rhythm
yet know it is recorded long since upon the
leaves Of fiction as far as Mrs. Freitchie's ma
teriaism is concerned.
Mrs. z. d. E. N. Southworth tells to your
reporter q version that must contradict, and
my contradiction will be verified by those
living who can all wildly the occurrence,
for Frederick is 81. ancient nor far-removed.
and its inhabitants are par excellence.
In the first place. Stonewall Jackson never
was In the city Of Frederick during the war;
there are plenty of confederate officers Of rank
who will substantiate that Secondly. At the
time OF the incident above related Mrs.
Freitchie was over ninety years old and bed
ridden. Her nephew, Vlerius Ebert, then
mayor OF the city, was rank southerner, and
all of her relatives in sympathy with the
south with one exception-Mr. John Ebert.
l think he is still living. Mrs. Freitchie's
husband was hung years before in the court
house yard as ''tory." Now, Mrs. South
worth SAYS she received her information from
q Mr.. Ramsburg only few years ago. / wrote
Mr.. Whittier asking him for information.
received a prompt reply, in which he says, 81
got my information from Mrs. southworth,
who writes me she In turn received it from Miss
Dorethea Dix, who was a matron in the hospital
at Frederick" l received not only one but
several letters expressing regret that he had
given publicity to = false idea and robbed the
true subject Of justice, and not until the rela-
tves of Mrs. F. found glory descending did
they admire the good poets beautiful senti-
ment
Some time ago wrote for Kate Fields Wash
ington history of the true affair, and at any
time can satisfy those who would like to know
that truth can stand boldly to the front.
Mrs. Southworth has read, know, that Mrs.
Mary Quantrelle was the heroine. and her
identity has been established in the pages of
history. Because an error was written and she
has fame, why does she still repeat her version
without stating. what she must know, the dis
covery of its untruthfulness? The people of
America are enlightened enough to seek inquiry
and know the facts.
l thought Mr.. Whittier the embodiment Of
honor, and his written regrets fully compen-
stated the act. / admire Mrs. Southworth's pro-
Life brain, but love Justice better than all
DENIED BY MRS. FREITcHIE's NIECE.
Another correspondent writes: Writers
death should have caused to be brought forth
something more noble. more beautiful of his
works than the so-called true poem on Barbara
Freitchie. Tradition lends verify to history
and this story will go down to posterity as an
historical fact. 1t has not shadow of founda-
tion though many like our dear friend Mrs
Southworth and our loved poet have perfect
faith in its TRUTH as told by Mr.. c. S. Rams
burg to Mrs. Southworth. This, l believe, is
the first time the origin of the story ever was
given. and no doubt those who believe it will
rest still in the delusion. Last February it
was my good fortune to visit Mrs. Catherine
Hanshaw. the niece of Barbara Freitche,
who had been reared by her from infancy.
This lady was then ninety-one years old, and,
retaining every faculty. told ME the falseuess of
the story Of her Aunt Barbara and the flag She
did not know how 1t originated. but such hold
had it taken on the minds of the people that
her niece had been taught by the sisters at the
Frederick convent to illustrate the poem on a
satin banner, which banner Mrs. Hanshaw then
had in her parlor. She always said when ex-
hibiting it and the various pieces of furniture
and china THAT Aunt Barbara never was known
to possess flag" and she added that the arti-
cles published relative to her neglected grave
in Frederick were also untrue and that all such
publicity was distasteful to them.
This dear old lady died last spring. bequeath-
ing to her daughters and nieces the relics Of
Barbara Freitchie, consisting of various pieces
of furniture and china one an historical tea
pot in which tea was made for Gen. Washing
ton on his way to Yorktown.
A quilting party was on hand in the parlor of
the City Hotel of Fredericktown when news
came of the near approach of Gen. Washing
ton. The landlady rushed in the parlor. and
amid great commotion. the quilt was rolled
up and the room prepared for his coming. The
busy housewife bethought herself there was 70
teapot fit to bring on the table for Gen. Wash
ington, and begged Barbara, then mere child
to go home and bring theirs, which has been
ever cherished as a memento of that occasion
in the family Of Barbara Freitchie.