The Afro-American advance. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1899-19??, 1899-06-17
FORTUNE FOR A FLAG
The Worlds Fair Bannr Proper.
Of a Chicago Man



George w. Knapp. No. 5s4 Sheridan
road, Evanston, ILL.,, ID the owner OF q
United States flag for which he has
refused an offer OF t60,0Uu. The offer
wns made by an English collector Of cn'
rios. and was rejected by Mr.. knapp
with the remark that there IT. not
money enough In England and Amer
lea 20 buy that piece Of silk"
The dag was made by the women OF
the United States as the official flag
OF the worlds fair. II headed the OPEN
ingproccssion; il was the first flag to DO
nnfuflcd, and the last to be lowered
at the exposition. Every thread OF
silk In the banner was taken from the
cocoons and woven by American WON
en-. The staff also IL an interesting
composite of historic woods from all
the states and territories of the union.
Since the worlds fair this flag has
added 70 its honorable history by lead
ing President MclIlnley's inaugural pa
rade, serving as chicagos flag at At
lanta, In New York and elsewhere. Mr..
Knapp intends sending II TO the Paris
exposition, where II will doubtless be
the official flag.
The silk of which the flag IL made
was all grown In America, 20 states con-
tributing the raw material. Not
thread Of imported ailk was allowed
TO enter the flag, which measures ex6h
feet. with fringe OF gold silk four
inches wide. II IL also the first flag
TO contain ~ stars on blue field.
But perhaps the most unique part
Of the flag IL the stan. II In made OF
piece Of Illinois cherry 10 feet long.
surmounted by golden eagle. The
stan II iniaid with pieces OF historic
wood. representing each state and ter
ritory of the union. The inInld pieces
are placed In row running down.
ward along the lower section OF the
stan, starting with design consisting
Of - stars about five feet from the
lower end Of the star. In the center OF
the design IL a larger star made from
piece Of one Of the aak supports of
the old liberty bell In Philadelphia, and
around IL, In circle, are grouped the
other IL stars. Connecticut Ii repre-
sented by \ star made from a piece of
the famous charter oak OF colonial hiss
tory, Massachusetts by piece Of the
old elm from HoAton common, Vir-
ginla by piece of the old Monitor,
and each OF the original 10 colonies
has contributed wood equally historic.
The u remaining states are repre-
scented by squares and the Eve terri
tories by acknowledged pieces Of
historic wood. Illinois has a piece OF
walnut taken from the residence Of
shadrach bond, first governor " the
state, located at the old capital ut Kan-
kaskia. Nebraaka's square came from
the flagstaff OF old Fort Kearney. while
the diamond Of Arizona Is the oldest
piece of wood la the Flagstaff. II wins
taken from the famous ruins OF Casas
urandes, near the ella river, In Pinai
county, AriE. These were standing
when yasquex do Coronado, the first
Spanish explorer. visited Arizona In
i5t0. The wood was taken from the
only ioiat remaining in the building.
The idea Of Aneh flag originated
with Mr.. Knapp soon after congress
appropriated money for the worlds
fair. He told hln plans 10 the board Of
worid'Afa fair commissioners aud on April
I. 1891. the board passed q resolution
empowering MIR. Knapp 70 work out hs
idea, the product 10 be the Official tiae
Of the worlds fair He Immediately
went 10 work sending circulars &c the
commissioners Of the various states and
territories, explaining the plans and
asking for pieces Of hlstorie wood. More
difficulty wAa experienced Ia getting
the native silk and women To weave Il
but through an order placed with che
American silk Culture association, com
posed entirely Of women, Mr.. Knapp ~
cured flag made entirely by women
from silk raised by women Of 80 states
Curiousiy enough. the Gag was made
In Arch street. Philadelphia, on chs
same atreet. and wlthin few blocks
of the house Ia which the women 81
Philadelphia made the Paul Jones flag
IFS years before.
The flag arrived Ia Chicago October
20, is9a, and was hung ON tbs handsome
stan, The next day II headed chs
opening parade. On the opening day
May l. isaS. the flag was presented Il
the board Of lady managers Of the fall
BY Mr.. Knapp. After the worlds Fall
The official flag was shown at the pris.
winners exhibit Ia New York. iva,
there that the attention Of the EnRliSi
collector was attracted 90 IL. lie hegar
with an offer 81 $4,000 fur Il aud ralnee
the bill daily until IL reached $4,000
Mr.. Knapp grew angry then az I'll,
EngliAhman'a evident consictlon thai
anything In America could be bought
This liAg l. NOT for sale. . Ar. Knap
said. There isn't money enough il
England and America 10 buy is."-l.hi
cage Inter Ocean.
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EaWAe an sasarat rst.eexv.