The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-09-19

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interest to the patriotic American.
The old bell hangs on the first floor,
under the belfry, and it's story tells us
that it was first cast in England, broken
on landing, recast a year later in Phil
adelphia, and was cracked when being
tolled at the death of Chief Justice
Marshall, in 1885. 1t was not rung on
the 4th of July when the Declaration
was adopted, but several days later
when the citizens were called together,
in the yard of the hall, to ratify the
adoption of the Declaration.
Carpenters Hall, the place where the
Continental Congress first met, is pre-
served as it stood then. 1t is but a
short distance southwest from Indepen-
dence Hall.
| Betsy Ross house is little over two
blocks from the river, on Arch street.
Here, Gen. Washington and commit
tee appointed by Congress, called on
the little widow to have her make the
first Star Spangled Banner, according
to plans adopted by Congress. She
kept dress making store in the front
room of her house, and she was recon-
mended as proper person to make the
flag. Washington and the committee
called with the material and their plans
for the Star Spangled Banner. She
suggested some changes made the flag
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illustrious.
Her house was small two-story frame
with front of one room which was her
shop. Back of this is little twelve by
twelve room with an eight-foot ceiling.
1t was in this room she met Washington
and the committee. The building is
preserved as it was at that time, and is
a very interesting place.
| Christ church on Second street, be-
tween Chestnut and Walnut, built in
1927, is interesting as the place where
Washington worshipped as long as he
was in Philadelphia, and his double
pew, just under ''the drippings of the
sanctuary, is marked, for the benefit
of all who come to see or worship.
The Grand Army parade was perhaps
the largest ever held, except that at
Washington. The procession occupied
more than seven hours in passing over
it's route of four miles. Three of the
veterans dropped in the ranks, receiv-
ing their final discharge. President
Mckinley reviewed the procession.
The city was profueely and elaborately
decorated, and mass of people crowded
the line of march, on both sides, the
entire route. "The Avenue of Fame, ,
extending several blocks on Broad
street, of many pillars adorned
with statues of Generals of oul
armies, eagles, ETC., was very fine
to look upon by day, and wondrously
beautiful when lighted up b.
electricity.
The city received the Grand Arm,
most Hospitality, with open hearts
open arms, and open pocketbooks
The veterans were delighted witt
their treatment.
: The crowd that visited the mint
y learn how money was made, was jan
y nearly all the time. A new and Ell
u larged mint, erected in another part {
the city, is nearly completed.
U The North Atlantic feet, comprisin
the New York, Brooklyn, Indian;
) Massachusetts and Texas, of the irol
clad fleet that destroyed Cervera's wa
. ships at Santiago, lay in the Delawar
u during the Encampment and all visitor
: were free to visit them from loo to 81
p. m. Steamers reaped rich harve
carrying passengers to them, at
VI cents head, as they lay at anchor
IL the stream. The officers and crev
le were attentive and courteous to al
, answering all questions politely ar
IL volunteering information in many case
We had an invitation to visit tt
10 Detroit, war vessel commanded
Captain ]. N. Hemphill, an old schoe
u mate, and had planned, with Mrs.
III and DIR. West and wife for pleasa
y renewal of old acquaintance; but We
nesday night he received orders
leave for Venezuela, and our visit hs
u, to be declared off, much to our disa
VI pointment, and to the disgust of tt
.. crew, who said the place to which tn,
IL were ordered was 'the meanest pla
~ in the world"
Thursday night the war vessels we
% Illuminated from stem to stern, al
u from the water line to the top mas
~ with colored electric lights, and ma,
~ beautiful sight, that was admired
LII thousands who lined the docks al
piers. The Brooklyn was the han
soonest of all, by far.
:" Friday a grand naval review W
y given on the river, and at least hu
"i dred boats crowded with citizens al
GU visitors moved up the river pa
% the Cramp ship yards, al
-, down the river to League Island ma
:" yard, hundreds of thousands of peop
lining the shores, while a pandemol
um of whistle screams and booming
cannon filed the air. 1t was our IL
tune to have tickets for the ]. A. Ws
"s ner, as guests of the city, with sc
press representatives, Grand Ar1
Nv men and ladies of the Relief Corps, a
~ we had most bountiful and excelle
- lunch served at the expense of the ci
W and were greeted heartily by Capts
Chadwick, of the New York, as c
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