Evening journal., 1896-10-14
BARBARA FREITCHIE
ANOTHER VERSION or THE INCIDENT
MADE FAMOUS BY WHITTIER.

1t seems pity to upset so pretty a
picture as the one drawn by Whittier
Of the aged Barbara FTeitchie waving
the stars and stripes over the heads Of
the rebel hosts as they marched through
Frederick, but truth compels the state
ment that Barbara only displayed the
flag after the arrival Of the Federal
troops, while younger woman dared
the rebels without, however, being
fired upon.
Barbara's maiden name was Haner,
and she was born on Dec 3, 1866,
in Lancaster, Pa Her family moved to
Frederick, Nd, when she was child,
and in 1906 she married John Casper
Freitchie. One Of her relatives now liv-
ing in Frederick is authority for the
following statement:
Barbara was intensely patriotic.
and in September, 1869, when the
Union soldiers drove the rebels out Of
Frederick, Barbara manifested her de
light by standing at her window with
silk flag in her hand Owing to her ad-
vanced age (nearly 90) she attracted
great deal of attention, both officers and
privates breaking ranks to shake her by
the hand. For three hours she continued
by tho window, until, becoming exhaust
ed, she was persuaded TO come in and
rest. Earlier in the day o younger wo-
man had waved a small Union fing
from a house in the same street while
the rebels were passing. She was not
fred upon, however.
"In the excitement following on the
retreat Of the rebels the two incidents
became blended together, and resident
Of the town, writing to Mrs. e. d. L. N.
Southworth, treated them as one Mrs.
Southworth. feeling that she could not
do justice 90 the theme, wrote an ac-
count of it to the poet Whittier, who,
stretching poets license to the limit,
penned the well known verses entitled
Barbara Freitchie.
"Barbarn's homo was situated ON
West Patrick street, Oh the east bank of
Carroll creek. Directly opposite was the
town spring, whose waters still bubble
up as refreshingly as they did through all
the years Of our bitter strife. Whichever
party held Frederick was sure TO be rep
resented by its soldiers at that spring
There during hot summer days they
would lounge in the shade Of Barbara s
stoop. If It were the boys in blue, she
was very gracious and would come down
and lend them her tumblers or her dip
per and give them biscuits but not 80
the Confederates, whom she would drive
from her premises or CeISr from her
portico with majestic motion of her
cane, her great age protecting her from
insolence or harm.
Barbara died on Dec. IS, 1869, at
the age Of 90 years and 10 days She
was buried beside her husband in the
German Reformed church yard Of Fred
erick.
I'm 1868 a food did great deal of
damage TO property on West Patrick
street, and Barbara's house was. con-
demnod and torn down TO widen Carroll
creek Tho carpenter who razed the
house made canes Of the balustrade and
sold them. Ono was sent to General
Grant as a souvenir.
"After Barbara's death there was a
sale of a portion Of her furniture, and it
was my pleasure few years since TO see
bedstead owned by her in an uphol-
sterer's store. Old fashioned severely
plain and simple, l should have passed
it hundred times without noticing II
had my attention not been called to II
by the storekeeper, who told me he hao
purchased it from a Frederick dealer
upon sworn affidavit as to its genu
ineness. The bed on which she died ii
now owned and used by great great
nephew. Her sideboard is the property
of another nephew.
1.-The historic silk flag is in the pos
session of the niece who stood upor
that memorable occasion by Barbara
side while the latter held it in her hand
also among her priceless treasures thi
same niece values a blue china coffee
pot, which was the property Of Barbara
and from which coffee was served L
General Washington when he visited
Frederick IN 1891. Upon that occasion
: Washington spent the night at Mrs
Kimbal's hotel, where the City hote
now stands, and Barbara Freitchi'
brought her Liverpool china to grace
the table.
! Whittier painted truthfully whel
I he said:
'sThe clustered spires OF Frederick stand
, Green walled by the hills Of Maryland.
: "Singularly enough, the churches
are all grouped together within I
stones throw of each other Barbar;
was member of the German Reformed
with DR.. zacharias as pastor. A few
e years after the war he was interviewed
D by some admirers of Whittier's exqui
D site lines. 'Ah, yes, answered the docto
r tenderly, L was Barbara Rreitchie'
pastor for nearly 80 years. handed he
the cup and the bread. At our com
. munion service she always partook, a
4 had been her lifelong habit, standing
/. and afterward was sure to shake hand
1 cordially with her. pastor. '--Bostoi
c Herald.
O The ModQrn yVav.