The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-06-25


BILL ARP.
THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER.
An Effort to Build Il M0numcnt to
the Author-The Origin OF the
Poem.
Philadelphia Times.
Francis Scott Kcv, the author of
'"The Star Spangled Banner" to whose
grave on effort has recently been made
TO raise funds for the erection of q
suitable monument, was the father OF
Mrs. George II. Pendleton, of this city,
who died few years ago, leaving a
family VINO cherish tho memories of
the noted hymn writer Among some
of the papers Of tho family are the
ever familiar stories of the events
leading to Keys inspiration and au-
thorship of this national renowned
song. Some Of the most prominent
and interesting facts are CLEANED from
paper that was read before tho II is
torical Society Of Pennsylvania few
days ago. Tho grave of Key is in a
public cemetery not far from Fred
erlck, Md, the home of his birth, and
Is only marked by slab almost over
grown with weeds and bushes.
Mr.. Key was born near Frederick,
Md, August |, 1879. After graduat-
ing at st. Johns Law college in An
napolis, he began a successful practice
in Georgetown, Md. His career was
such that he was soon appointed dis
trict attorney Of Washington, and was
considered ono Of tho most brilliant
| attorneys of the day. He was poet
| ana Wit as we'll rs lawyer, as q few
| OF his productions had already gained.
the admiration Of his friends before
his name became Il household word
throughout the land. Key was L great
friend TO DR.. William Beanes, and it
was through string Of circumstances
| happening while boarding at tho lat
| ter's house that led up to the soul
stirring words Of tho ballad.
In 1914 he and four or five Of his most
| lntlmatc friends were spending the
summer at the Bcanes retreat. Dur
ing the summer Admiral Cockburn
and General Ross campaigncd a march
upon the capital. When they reached
Marlboro, the officers and their stail
maze their headquarters at the doctors
| residence. They were well pleased
win the reception given them, and
| General Ross placed guards around
the grounds as Il means of protection
against any depredations Of which the
soldiers might be guilty.
The march on Washington was
made IN August, resulting in the de-
Structlon OF the capitol, presidents
| mousse, navy yards, arsenal, public
stores and the various newspaper Of
iices. The British were unsucccs css fully
attacked by a small army of raw re-
| crults. White the air was dense with
| smoke, some one rushed with gladncss
into DR.. Beancs's yard crying, "Thc
redcoats are whipped, | see them com
ing over the hill" As they were re-
treating over the hill, the doctor and
his friends descended to the spring in
| the hollow fOr drink. While there
three British soldiers appeared and
declared they had been victorious. A
dispute arose resulting in Il fight. The
rcdcOats were overp0wcrcd, taken and
confined as prisoners in the court
house. Cockburn soon heard Of it, and
that night sent a. body OF soldiers to
| libcratc the subjects and roturn with
| Bcanes. The doctor was numerically
treated and imprisoned in one of the
ships. Key was bound to have his
friend released, and consulted prcsi.
| dent Madison, who gave orders and
| placed boat at his service. Kew, with
ms associates, overlook the British
boat near the mouth of the Potomac.
heys persuasion was unsuccessful
with The admiral, who stated in strong
terms that Bcanes should be hanged
Els argument with General Ross was
moro eff :ctual, who, after consideriru
the matter, concluded that Bcancs
might be released should their attack
on Baltimore be unsuccessful. After
landing, Ross moved up the paluxent
to Fort Mcllcnry. Meanwhile Bcancs
had been transferred to KEYS vessel
and kept under British guards I3alti-
more was plainly in sight from the
small American vessel.
Throughout the night shot and shell
were constantly nying. Theirs was
intense agony awaiting the result OF
the conflict. Just at dawn the firing
ceased and calmness rcigncd. Bui
yet their suspense WIS not relieved, as
tho smoke was so low they could not
sec from the ships deck which flag was
most trying time OF his life. AS the
sun rose, a faint glimpse OF the Nmcri-
can llag could be seen through glasses.
waving In the breeze. At the sicht
OF tho hag, Key could only find OK
preston for his feeling by writinp thc
hrst two stapzas OF the Star Spaneicd
Banner"
The British could be seen rctrcat-
ing, bearing the body of Ross. a corpse.
they boarded their vessel leaving Dr.,
Beanes, Key and their friends free.
Key wrote the lines while on the
vessel on the back Of an old letter he
found IN his pocket. 1t was published
ana sung for the first time September
49, loii' Key died in Baltimore Jan
uary | |, 1912.
-------------SG9 49,. E.
"A coed story is being told on ono