The sun., 1898-02-20
"A Spanish Flag BURIED WITH MASK and WIG CITY WILD ABOUT DGCS
Young Americans Show Their
Patriotism.
SPONTANEOUS ACT Of BOYS.
The Match Applied to Spain's Proud
Emblem. Caused by the Blowing
Up Of the Maine.

"Down with Spain" "vp with
America!" "Spain is no good!" ''There
will be hot time in Spain tonight!'
The above were shouts which made
the neighborhood OF Fifth and Jefferson
streets ring, and which aroused the
quiet people there few minutes after
O'Clock last night.
The shouts emanated from the throats
OF a crowd OF boys ranging in ages from
nine to thirteen years. The OCCASION
which prompted their shouts was the
burning of small Spanish flag
All the boys of the crowd reside in The
vicinity of Second and jefferson streets.
Early last night when they had congre
gated on Il corner in the ncighborlOod
one Of them exhibited flag.
The exhibition Of the flag was 81 ignal
for the kindIing Of a flame of hot patriot
ism in the breasts Of the young Ameri-
cans. As Young as they were they all
knew everything about the war between
Spain and Cuba and were none too
youthful to have little of the patriotism
characteristic of Americans. Undoubtedly
too, read their actions showed that they
had or had been taught that it was their
duty as American boys to side with the
struggling patriots OF Cuba and lit was
also apparent that they had read
or heard something about the dcstruc'
tion Of the American battleship Maine in
the llarbor of Havana, and OF the sus-
plcion that S Spainards had blown up the
vessel is revenge upon Americans fol
| ot hi wit h 'rbn
ooh that is Spanish flag, amt it ?"
exclaimed one Of the little fellows
Lets burn it? Who's got a match ~
These cxc)amatons and questions stir
red up the other boys, and soon there
was an impulse on the part Of the crowd
to burn the flag on the spot.
The lad who held the flag
however, suggested that before
burning it, the crowd should make /;
short parade. This was agreed to-, anC
the boys walked up Jefferson street ant
around Fourth to Washington ant
thence to Fifth and jefferson. As they
paraded the, shouted in juvenile tones
'Burn the Spanish flag Down witt
Spain There'il be a hot time in Spain
etc, etc.
BY the time they reached the north
east corner Of Fifth and jefferson thei
enthusiasm reached its highest pitch
Lets burn it here ~ two or three cried
The crowd halted and after little par
leving it was agreed to set the flag afire
The leader OF the crowd struck mattel
and applied it to the flag, which was
genuine Spanish emblem. As the fam
gradually eat it he waved it high up il
the air, while the other boys shoute'
down with Spainr' "lIurrah for Cuba!
Cup with America"
When the flag had been consumed b.
the flames, the small staff which held
and which had become charred wa
thrown to the ground Then the boys pr,
ceeded one after another to tread upo
the ashes of the flag, at the same tim
giving shouts Of Down with Spain"
After they had finished this part G
the celebration they moved down oI
the East side Of Jefferson street, renew
ing their anti.Spanish shouts, aid max
ing the neighborhood ring wit, thei
cheers
The people Of the neighborhool VIII,
heard the demonstration made ~ th
boys went to the front doors Oi i..rl
houses to ascertain the cause o. it
Many others who heard the demon. n
tion, however, said they paid no attcn
ton I" it, thinking that it was one o
the everyday demonstrations made b,
noisy bows Of the neighhorhood.
The propriercss, Mrs. S. r. Strain, o
the millinery store at he mort heast corne
Of Fifth and j, fl rson. when seen las
night about the matter said she saw lht
boys cnngrrgated in front Of her store anC
icar1 theirs shouts n thc0ts Of burnin!
the Spanish flag, but did not Stigat'
the demonstrations.
One OF the boys in the crowd was seer
last night and said that they al had :
good deal OF fun burning the flag
The ashes Of the flag and the broker
stan still lie on the pavement near tho
nulll.ra corner OF Fifth and Jefferson
| streets.