The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-04-15

r"HHH"
keep green the memory Of Betsy Ross
the Quaker lady Of Philadelphia. who
made with her own hands the frat aag
OF the Union. the Stars and Stripes.
with thirteen stars. says New York
Herald
It remained for mere accident to re-
vive interest in this woman, who. while
not exactly a Molly Pitcher, or a Molly
Stark, played SO important a part in
the history Of the country.
It seems that a certain Charles P.
Mund Of Philadelphia now occupies the
old house. No 239 Arch street, once the
home OF the Ross family. In 1776 Mrs.
Ross, who was an upholsterer and an
expert needlewOman. lived in a two
story tenement in Philadelphia, still
standing and now numbered 239 Arch
street. To her came Gen. Washington
and Robert Morris with a roughly
drawn design for an American flag and
requested her to make one to present
to congress for adoption.
At Mrs. Ross, suggestion Gen. Wash
ington went into her back parlor and
redrew the design Mrs. Ross, who
knew Washington we'll, and used 10 ruf-
fe his shirts and make his lace neck
ties, made the flag according TO his
drawing II was accepted by congress,
and is supposed to have been the first
Stars and Stripes. the first "Old Glory"
ever flung to heaven
The Ross family moved away and
the old house was bought by a family
named Mund The present owner is
Charles p Mund, a small merchant
who lives over his shop. Knowing the
traditions OF the house. which Is more
or less curiosity in Philadelphia, since
Il remains in precisely the same condi-
tion il was when Washington used %
fuss there over his rufies and laces.
Mr.. Mund keeps a stock OF flags on
hand and stores them in a small al
cove In the attic
On the occasion Of the recent visit OF
Ii Hung Chang to Philadelphia citizens
were requested to decorate their houses
with bunting. Mr.. Mund went up 10
the attic to get out his supply OF new
flags. when he discovered, away back
IN the aleove, still another nag, OF
which he knew nothing.
Covered with the dust and Crime OF
1 century, and It's colors sadly faded.
Mr. Mund pulled out an old American
lag with the thirteen stars sewed on 70
he material just as Mrs. Ross had sewn
hem on the flag she made for Wash
ngton.
It seems probable. II not certain.
hen. that this was a pattern or first
rial OF the flag. and not being satisfied
Nth her handlwork she had made an
'ther. which she sent to congress.
Curious enough, history throws no
light on the question as to who design
d the drawing OF the flag that Wash
ngton first brought to Betsy Ross.
records make no mention
4 such design. nor do any OF the in
Vulnerable letters and diaries OF the
lay.
Mr.. William ]. Candy IN 1870 read a
'aper before the Historical society OF
'ennsylvania In which he said that his
grandmother had as much as
ny one 10 do With the design. and as
10 one has ever contradlcted him II
Gems possible that the design was
cooked up" gone ever, and finally
ompleted that day in the little back
iarlor by Washington. Morris and Bet
y Ross.
As to the fact that Mrs. Ross actually
made the FIRST Stars and Stripes there
3 lndisputable proof. Mr.. Candy, soon
.fter reading his paper, which caused
considerable controversy at the time.
Vrote an open letter. In which he
aid:
Il Is not tradition; Il Is report. from
he lips Of the principal particlpators
n the transaction directly told. not to
me or two. but a dozen 0f living Wit
lesses. OF whom I myself am one. be-
ng a boy OF IL when Mrs Ross died In
'ur house and well remember her tell
ng the story. Ny mother and two Of
Ier sisters are living (thls was written
n 1870 and / often heard the nara
I've from their lips. The occasion was
rior to the Declaration Of Independ-
nee I fix the date 10 be during Wash
ngtons visit TO congress from New
FORK, when he came 10 confer upon
he affairs Of the army. the adoption OF
flag. no doubt. being one Of them
Granted then. and even Preble
rants that Mrs. Ross did make the
rst flag and may have had something
D do with its design. the question
rises, when were these Stars and
tripes first flung to the brecze7
Candy contends that the stars and
tripes were IN common use soon after
ho Declaration Of Independence. Ad-
iirable Preble says not, and for a year
{ least there seems 90 have been a
imble Of the Continental and State
ags with the stars and Stripes.
Light for Country Homes. s.-Electric
ghtlng Is commonly IN the country
agarded as exclusively a city luxury.