Evening star., 1902-03-18

her grandfather did signal service in the
war for independence. She was a great
great-grandniece OF Abagail Smith Adams,
wife OF the second President OF the United
States, and was of course related to John
Quincy Adams.
Captain Benjamin Bettis Smith. her
father owned several sailing vessels. and
during the war of 1912 fitted up one at his
own expense, put IL IN commission and as
Its captain fought 1t In that war without
cost to the government. The Smiths be-
ionged to the landed gentry of Maryland,
but they freed their slaves and were al
ways loyal to the flag. When the war Of
the rebellion broke out Mrs. Holta, then
widow, gave her five sons to the coun-
try. the oldest Benjamin Holtz. entering
the navy, his grandfather had done be-
fore him. All five of the sons were badly
wounded. and have been sufferers from
those wounds ever since Mrs. Holtz ac-
lively interested herself in the relief work
of war days and held that interest In the
veterans to the end Of her life.
An incident OF the early turbulent days In
baltimore is related by a veteran fireman.
Above Mrs HoltZ's house in Baltimore hun4
magnificent silk flag, presented to tAe
local IRE company, and given into the care
OF her son Benjamin, who was a member OF
II. After the 500 Pennsylvania soldiers
called by Congress the First Defenders
passed through Baltimore Mrs Holtz was
ordered by the city authorities to take the
nag down, as II annoyed some OF her neigh
bors.
on certainly. replied Mrs. HoltZ. sweet
ly. 1T is In danger up there"
So down the silk flag came; but 10! it
was flung out of the upstairs window. its
folds almost touching the heads of those
who passed under il. Up came the officers
with orders to take I'm the flag
Ne said Mrs. Holtz whose language
was the plain yea and nay OF Quaker SIM
plicity; the flag Is out OF harms way
1t is not, said the angry city official.
Take it down or I'll take 1t down for you'
q II hal
not touch it," replied Mrs. Holtz, calmly.
The city official went away expostulatng
and Mrs. Holtz got her Bible. then had fire
laid In the stove OF the upstairs room,
where a tea kettle was soon merrily steam
Ing. While she sat reading her Bible at the
window out of which the flag was uufuried
SQUAD or armed eonfederates drew up be-
rore her door and hammered upon Il.
She looked from the window and asked
their errand.
We want that flag and are ordered to
take it, was the reply. Let us in"
You can't come in, and you will get hurt
IL You try to take my flag" she said. They
tried to parley. but Mrs. Holtz declined to
listen, so they decided to pull down the
flag. Just as they had their plans arrang-
ed Mrs. Holtz said:
You are about to suffer for your own
misdeeds Mary. bring me that tea kettle
of hot water" And Mary the color.d sef.
want, who yesterday arrayed her old mis-
tress for her last sleep, brought the boil
ing water to the window. Very quietly
Mrs. Holtz turned the scalding stream upon
the men below, who, yelling with pain, re-
treated.
Three times on different days attempts
We're made to get the flag. but all failed.
the scalding water proving a good bat
terry and Mrs. Holtz held It. alone ana
unaided, till a few weeks later when the
nre company presented the flag to a New
York regiment, which carried 1t to the
front.
Mrs. Holtz was a member Of the Meth.
odist Church, but always wore Quaker at.
tire Heart failure, ending In painless and
sudden death. brought her eventful life to
Its close. The funeral will take place at
O'Clock tomorrow from the residence OF her
son-in-law, DR.. A. E. Johnson.