The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-10
FRANCIS KEY MONUMENT
Author o."Star Spangled Banner"
Honored in His Native City.
GRAFTON BY WATTERS0N
A Study Calculated to Impress and Edu-
cate the Young as Well AZ b Old.
Remains OF the Poet and His
Wife Repose in the Crypt

fTe0eIICk, Nu.s AUS - aiNA' GNNNf
Key. author of star S~psngled Ban
ner." was honored to-day in this, his
native city. by the dedication OF a
handsome monument erected TO his
memory. The preliminary ceremonies
Included a parade In which military
and civic organizations took part.
When the procession reached the
monument the order OF exercises was
proceeded with. These included an
GRAFTON by Henry Watterson OF Ken
lucky and an address by Mrs. De Land
Mclean of New York. and an ode by
Folge Mckinney of Baltimore. The
cord which released the drapery uncov-
ering the was then drawn
Thy Miss Julia McHenry Howard great
Granddaughter of Francis Scott Key.
Following Is an extract of the Grafton
of Watterson;
Since the star spangled ann
was written. nearly a century has come
and gone. Drums and trampings of
more than half its years have passed
over the grave of Francis Scott Key.
Here at last his tomb Is fifty made.
When his eyes closed upon the scenes
of his life their last gaze beheld the
ensign of the republic, full high adj
vanced. its arms and trophies stream
fn original lustre-not a stripe erased
or polluted, not a single star obscured.
II happily they were spared the spec
saeIe of a severed union and a land
rent by civil feud and drenched in fra
ternal blood Il may be that some
where beyond the stars his gentle spirit
now looks down upon a nation awak-
ened from its sleep of death and re-
stored to a greater and better self. and
known and honored as never before
throughout the world. IL was the poet,
not the warrior. who gave our union
the Anglo-American's homage 10 his
flag. Even as the prince of peace who
came to bring eternal life was the son
of God. were these, his ministering an
gels as each of us, upon his knees,
sends up a prayer to heaven for Home.
Sweet, Home may he also murmur and
teach his children to lisp the sublime
refrain Of Keys immortal anthem, the
star Spangled Banner,O, long la IL
wave DER the land of the free and the
home OF the brave"
The consists Of a circular
pedestal OF gray granite on a series Of
videspreading bases. The height OF the
pedestal is IA feet nine inches. its
breadth at the base Is Is feet, making
the base As feet in circumference.
II is exceedingly simple in design.
The whole effect is one OF elaboration,
owing 10 its sculptures. These consist
of a bronze statue min feet high, sur
mounting the granite pedestal. Key is
represented on shipboard by the
dawn's early light and upon the band
that girdles the pedestal beneath his
feet is the inscription, "'Tis the Star
Spangled Banner" His attitude is one
of exultation and inspiration, as with
the right arm he indicates to his com
panions the fact. and with the other
he holds aloft the hat he has iust
snatched from his head in an action Of
reverential salute 10 the starry banner
The pose of the heroic figure Of Key is
beautiful. graceful, full Of spirit and
life. The expression of his face is char
: acteristic of the calm joy Of an in
spirated soul upon beholding 'at the
dawn's early light" the beloved flag OF
'the land of the free and home Of the
brave" The costuming is correct, his
torically and finely poetic.
The pedestal and base unite original
ity and rarity witch chaste and classic
simplicity and charm. The group,
becomes, under perfect treatment, a
charming story within itself. a study
that cannot help but educate the young
ms well as the old-the republic. the
proud, imperious, dauntless mother
protecting her two children with n
fearless and loving embrace beneath
the folds of the flag that has inspired
the poet above their heads with the
glowing melody of his deathless
thought.
Beneath the group, on the face OF it's
base. is carved the seal Of Maryland.
surrounded by laurel, and resting on a
palm branch that extends across the
face Of the stone. In the rear OF the
monument, resting on its base. IL a
tablet bearing the text, The Star
Spangied Banner"
The corner stone Of the monument
was laid on flag day. June IL last. with
imposing ceremonies, by the Hon.
Thomas ]. Shryock, grand master OF
Masons Of America. and other state Of
f1cials of that body. In honor Of the
occasion a grand street pageant was
held. participated in by civic and mill
tary organizations. In a crypt, deeply
sunk in the eight-foot foundations.
rests the remains Of Francis Scott Key
and his wife. Mary Taylor Key. They
were removed there from their former
resting place in an obscure section OF
the cemetery by the association by per
mission 81 his two daughters. Mrs.
Howard and Mrs. Steele, prior 10 their
death, which occurred only recently.