The Portland daily press., 1896-03-28

tive or Maryland, knew her well. During
the last thirty years Mr.. Riley has made
a trip each summer to Frederick and has
secured considerable proof in support of
his claim. He has preserved several old
photographs of Barbara, her house and
one of the grave. AS regards a check
drawn in her favor, the following letter
will be self-explanatory
Frederick, Md, Feb. Z. 1885, My Dear
Mr.. Sherman Thinking toat perhaps
you might ba interested in the story of
Barbara Fritchie, send you by mail to-
day a sketch OF her life. and inClose a
check drawn In her favor and Endorsed
by her. You can be assured cf it's being
gsnuine as received it from a gentle
man connected with the bank, who in
formed me that he found it recently
among some old papers.
W. 7. BESANT.
Mr. Shearman is one of Penn Vans
substantial citizens, and has for many
years been trustee of the insane asylum
at Willard, N. Y. Since the check has
been in his possession Mr.. Shearman has
received many communications from
people who would like to get possession
of 1t. but he prizes it too highly to think
of parting with it, He lately received a
letter from George W. Oakley, COM
mander OF the Barbara Fritchie Post, No.
II, g. A. r., of Brooklyn, asking him
upon what terms he would dispose of it.
The letter stated that the post was named
after the heroine whose name adorns the
check, and that 1t was in possession of
photograph and crayon portrait OF her,
and would like to add the check to the
valued collection. But the present owner
cannot be induced to part with the check
with the autograph at any price.
Barbara Fritchie, or Hauer before her
marriage, was born in Lancaster, Pa,
Dec. 8, 1776. Her ancestors had played
a prominent part in the early history of
the infant republic, and every drop of
blood in her body came from the founders
and preservers of the republic. When but
a child she removed with her parents to
Frederick, Nd, and there she lived until
her death.
When 80 years old Barbara Hauer be-
came Barbara Fritchie, the wife of John
Casper Fritchie. The wedding took place
on May 6, 1906. No children came to
her, but her strong motherly love found
occupation in the care and training of
several nephews and n1eces. While Of as
pect stern and cold, it is said that she
and tender beart, her face being but q
reflection of her strong and steadfast
will. OF humor there was much in her
lcomposition, and when a girl she was
known as fond of wholesome pleas
ures Of all kinds.
| The house inhabited by Barbara Fritz
chic at Frederick was story and half
cottage of brick and stone, with high
gables and dormer windows, devoid Of
external show or decoration. 1t stood on
Patrick street, a short distance from Car
| rolls Creek, over which ran an ancient
| bridge there was flight of stone steps,
which led to large square spring, from
which tho Fritohie family obtained It's
supply of water for drinking and all
household purposes. There were two
iron dippers fastened by chains to one
side of the rocky wall and here the thir-
| ty wayfarers stopped to drink and Cos
sip.
When the confederate army, under
General Lee, evacuated Frederick, closely
followed by the union troops under Gen
eral Mcclellan, Barbara Fritchie kept a
small silken flag flying from the dormer
window Of her house. 1t was an old rev.
olutionary flag handed down to her from
her ancestors and deeply priced through
many memories. When the union soldiers
entered the town later she took it down,
and as the troops marched by she stood
in her doorway, proudly waving it above
| her head.
| Barbara Fritohie died in Decem Der,
| 1879, at the age of Sc, and her remains
now rest in the oemetary of the Reformed
church on Bentz street, opposite Third,
in the western portion of the town.
| There, when the strangers go to see the
mound, the stars and stripes are always
floating, and there one cannot help re-
membering the closing lines of Whit
| tier S poem:
And ever the stars above look down
On thy stars below in Frederick town.
| Above the grave of Barabra Fritchie
two flags of freedom and union forever
wave. Winter and summer rain and sun.
the stripes and stars float above the other
wise neglected mound. 1t almost seems
that Whittier must have writton in pro-
phetio vision these words i:
Over Barbara Fritchie's grave
| Flag Of Freedom and Union wave.
AS soon as the flags become old and
weather-worn new ones are put in their
place. 1t is a matter of mystery to many
from whence these "symboIs of light and
law' come. Last fall visited the old
cemetery on Bentz street. / experienced
no little difficulty in getting to the
grave, as there is high fence around the
front of 1t, and the old sexton, who has
charge Of the key, is seldom visible to the
naked eye-when he is wanted. I was
forced to walk considerable distance to
get at the back, where l was able to scale
| ~ raar feDCa which upc 1,,,1oh 1owor