Morning journal and courier., 1893-05-20
TIE FLEETING SHOW.
some of Its Facts and Fanc1es.
Ur;tton for tho IoupNAr AMI HOuRJER I

Some of Its Facts and Fancies.
Written for the JOURNAL AND CoURIER.l
"BRAvEsT OE ALL IN FREDERICK TOWN.
Whittier's "Barbara Frietchie," one of
his most spirited prod actions, with all the
Gre and action of a border-ballad, has
formed the subject of much controversy,
and has been 80 much criticised that the
gentle bard regretted ever having written
it.
The very existence of Barbara has been
doubted, and even denied in "Frederick
town" itself. The widow of Stonewall
jackson has affirmed, in her memoir of
the gallant general, that the incident was
wholly without foundation, and it has
been stated by q member of his staff on
that occasion that the advance guard of
the Confederate troops never passed
through the streets of Frederick on the
eventful morning of September 6, 1852
The whole story has been looked upon as
Champaign lie," to the sorrow of the con-
scientious poet who believed the events to
have occurred Just as he narrated them,
and whose sensi itiveness was touched by
unkindly comments upon the poem.
Mrs. Caroline II. Dali, well known
writer, has been for some time investigat-
ing this matter, and her little volume,
barbara Fritchie." is a welcome addition
to historical literat ure, except possibly in
Frederick, where the fact has never been
recognized that the he,oism of Barbara
rose far above party strife and belonged to
| the world at large Through 1t the In
significant little Maryland township has
| r,arnananf n1aca In hiatnYv hnk
its people have stupidity preferred obscur-
ity to renown founded upon the loyalty
! and courage of one who was 'bowed with
her four score years and ten." As has
been said, they hsve denied her existence,
and they have rs zed her little house to the
ground lest it should bear witness against
tho falsehood. The house, which stood at
the end of the town, and partly built over
Carroll Creek which forms the boundary
of the town, was completely des.
troyed, only a few fragments of
old being preserved by come dis
eliminating relic hunter. The statement
that the advance guard of the Confeder-
ates did rot pass through Frederick street
does not affect the fact. The ''little end
house by the creek" gave its inmate the
first view of the troops approach
ing by the Bentztown road. II
was, very fortunately. photographed by
q relative of Mrs. Frietohie, who has also 9
daguerrotype of her which shows an erect
form and strong, stern features, q close cap
black satin gown and white lawn kerchie1
sti fly crossed over the breast. Mrs
Frietchis land this is the spelling of thu
name upon her Tombstone in the graveyard
Of the Evangelical Reformed church a.
Frederiok), was born Barbara Hauer, II
December 1766. The family moved tntt
Frederick before the close of the revolu
tionary war She remembered many O.
the scenes of the war, signing of the Dec
laration of Independence, Washing
toms visit to Frederick in 1871
and she acted as psllbsarer q
the services commemorative ct hi
funeral nearly ten years later. Sh
was a middle aged woman during the Wa
of 1912, and she lived TO immortalizs her
} self, in her ninety sixth year, by wavinl
the flag which she had honored from 1t
adoption, in the faces of traitors and foes
1t is difficult to see how she could hav
done other wise with such experiences AM
memories to fire her righteous indigns
ton.
1.-THE whole story" says Mira Dali, turn
! on local peculiarities that have been who'll
, ignored in the telling The poem 10 his
: torically true to the spirit of the loys
+ woman who gave 1t being In sever.
minor respects it errs. for the scourat
r history of September had not th~n bee
! written" But Whittier was right In hi
estimate of the aged heroine. The poem
with the exception of petty details whic
: he could not then have known,
i. true to life and history. S,onewa
Jackson memory has been done Z
wrong, and Rarbara Freitchie's heroism
t imme ertalized. The best thing the part.