Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-06
A LADY OF THE OLDEN DAY.
h Found Hot Water Excellent Pro-
lection for Her Flag.

She Found Hot Water Excellent Pro-
lection for Her Flag.
The sudden death of Mrs. Sarah A. Holtz
removed from life a woman who in a quiet
way left deep impress upon the church and
charitable circles in which she mingled, but
she is even more widely known for the
patriotic zeal she displayed forty years ago
In Baltimore.
Mrs Holtz was nearly SO years old at the
date OF her death, relates the Washington
Star. She was as active as most women
OF 90. She went and came unattended, did
her own shopping. did exquisitely fine
n~eedlework and embroidery which she gave
to charitable and patriotic ORGANIZATIONS
and took her place at her daughters side
at social functions. where her smiling face
framed in soft puffs OF snow white hair was
always welcomed.
Mrs. Holtz was a native OF Baltimore.
Her grandfather, Robert THOMPSON. a ma
tive OF Belfast, Ireland, had the contract
for constructing the first wharves made in
Baltimore. On the other side Of her family
her grandfather did signal service in the
war for dependence. She was a great
great-grandniece Of Abigail Smith Adams.
wife OF the second president OF the United
states ana was, OF course, related to John
Quincy Adams.
Captain BENJAMIN Belts Smith, her
rather, owned several sailing vessels and
uuring the war OF 1912 fitted up one at his
own expense, put It in commission and az
Its captain fought it in that war witbou,
cost to the government. The Smiths he
longed to the landed gentry OF MARYLAND
but they freed their slaves and were alwavs
loyal to the flag. When the war Of the 70
pelllon broke out Mrs. Holtz, then a widow,
gave her hve sons to the country. the old
est benjamin Holtz, entering the navy a
MS grandfather had done before him. All
nVe OF the sons were badly wounded ana
nave Deen sufferers from those wounds ever
since MRS. Holtz actively Interested ber-
ser IN the relief work OF war DAYS and heId
tnat interest In the veterans 10 the end 80
her life. '"u d
An incident OF the early turbulent davs
In Baltimore is related by a veterar a.
man. Above Mrs. Holtz's house in poItI
more hung a magnificent silk fac >
sented to the local fire company and given
into the care Of her son BENJAMIN. who u,as
a member OF 1t. After the 500 PennsyIvan,.
eololers called by congress the First ne
renders passed through Baltimore Mrs
hoitz was ordered by the city authorities
0 take the nag down, as 1t annoyed some Of
her neiGhbors. "
On, certainly" replied Mrs. Holtz.
0"ee'iy' III Is In danger up there"
So down the silk flag came; but II, :,
was hung out OF the upstairs window &c
tolds almost touching the heads ~ ttoso
VINO passed under 1t. Up came the of1cors
with orders to take in the flag.
NO" said Mrs. Holtz, whose IapSuoaa
was the plain yea and nay Of Quaker sim
plIclty' The nag is out OF harms wav"
~ ls not said the angry city ofIciaI
you" u'"n LOT
1 shall not take It down, and YOU shall
not touch it," replied Mrs. Holtz. calmly
The city official went away expostuIattns
and Mrs. Holtz got her bible, then had Arc
laid in the stove of the upstairs room
where a teakettle was soon merrily steam.
ing while she sat reading her bible AT the
WINDOW out OF which the nag was unfurled
= squad OF armed confederates drew up be-
fore her door and hammered upon II.
She looked from the window ana asLed
their errand.
I'VE want that flag and are ordered 70
take IT," was the reply. Lee us in"
you can't come in, and you will get
hurt II you try to take my flag" she said.
They tried to parley, but Mrs. Holtz de-
elined to listen, so they decided to Dull
down the flag. Just as they had their plans
arranged Mrs. Holtz said:
You are about to suffer for your own
misdeeds. Mary, bring me that teakettle
Of hot water" And Mary. the colored SER
want, brought the boiling water to the win
dow. Very quietly Mrs. Holtz turned the
scalding stream upon the men below, who,
yelling with pain, retreated.
Tk-oo tF,,ag ~ dtd.ront A.. -
we're made to get the flag, but all failed.
the s~calding water proving a good bat
terry" and Mrs. Holtz held IL. alone and
unaided, till a few weeks later, when the
fire company presented the flag TO a New
York regiment, which carried Il TO the
front.
Mrs. Holtz was a member Of the Meth
odist church, but always wore Quaker at
tire. Heart failure brought her eyentful
lige to its close.