The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-06
COLONIES AT LAW OYER FLAG
MRS. MOREHOUSE SUES MARTY
kEESE FOR THE EMBLEM.


the Defense, Who Says That the Gov.
eted Relic Isn't Very Old After All.
The patriots OF pedigree and the heroes
OF many fagraisings at the Block House IN
Central Park and at the Battery were present
in Justice Moore's Eighth district court yes
terday morning as a sequel to that already
historic incident Of the Cronk funeral cere-
monies when Col Asa Bird Gardiner, vice
commander Of the Society Of the War OF
1872, and Col. A. c. Morehouse, the only
woman Colonel in the State, FLASHED on the
City Hall steps over the ownership Of the
flag Of 1872.
When Col. Gardiner at some personal
risk claimed the flag which Col. Morehouse
had put up. Marty Reese, the janitor OF the
City Hall, took possession Of it and refused
to give it up to either Colonel until court
had decided its ownership.
Mrs. Morehouse brought the test suit,
which was heard yesterday by Justice
Moore. 1t lasted four hours. COL Gardi-
ner appeared to defend Marty. Col. More
house gave bond originally in order to
get the flag in her possession before trial,
but Col. Gardiner promptly doubled the
bond, which allowed Marty to retain it.
The flag was in court, spread reverently
on table A lot Of Colonies, Captains and
Majors sat near it. None of them came In
uniform. Col. Morehouse wore several OF
her medals and brought with her several
bundles containing various relics, one ofthem
a sword belonging to Brig. Gen. Daily Of tho
War Of 1912, to support her case. Much to
her disappointment, the Court ruled the
relics out as evidence.
Col. Gardiner and Col. Morehouse ex-
changed looks lacking in cordially when
Col. Morehouse took the stand and told how
she had got the flag. She said it had been
the dying gift Of Capt. Norman, once com.
mander Of the Washington Continental
Guard He had left it in the Contra! Park
Arsenal and told her to get (which she did
some years later, after much bother with the
Park authorities. She said she had taken 1t
to the home OF Hiram Cronk when she
heard Of his death and then brought IL to
the City Hall.
fiercely attacked the validity Of Mrs. More
hou SEES title. He wanted to know where
she got the flag and whether she had any
thing to do with the Society Of the War OF
1912.
1T has nothing to do with me- replied
Co.. Morehouse with a fiery glance. Mrs.
Morehouse admitted that she had appeared
funeral. She said it was that OF the Cont
mental army and included epaulettes, a
cooked hat, blue coat and buff 'facings
Who commissioned you to dress your
4 was commissioned by Capt Norman
and sworn in with that flag" Mrs More
house said, half rising In the witness chair
and glazing at Col. Gardiner. ;, MIS-; More
house tried to open her bundles OF relics.
but the Court wouldn't let her; and her
10 Epoopuol g Hart eaiA he would
have to withdraw from the case II she per-
sisted.
Capt. Norman. said the woman Colonel,
was an adopted son OF the War OF 1872,
He was a fine man and patriot and he
raised that flag many times at the Block
House, long before you ever thought Of
said to me me on his deathbed. He also gave
me his jeweled sword in that bundle.
j. W. Harrison Of the McFadden Flag
made by that company in 1891 and wasn't
such an old flag after all As witnesses
for Col. Morehouse appeared then Capt
Richard Butt. Col, Fentrick OF the wash
ington Continental Guards. Col. Schaefer
Of the Veteran Zouave Association, Lieut.
Artillery Corps and Major Richie OF the
Continentals They gave their titles upon
taking the witness chair and proudly told
Of helping to raise the flag at the Block
House from 1891 10 1891 Ndpt. .NOIIlldIl
raised the flag generally. they said, but
there we're often two men at the hallards.
Col. Sampson presented weekly, paper
picture Of the flag raising in 1891. but the
picture couldn't be identified because none
of the Colonies could swear positively that
he was in it. Col. Waring of the Guards
told how he had gone to the Block House
Fort Fisher he called it-one day after
the Park Department assumed the flag
raising and saw a laborer lately landed
hosting it upside down,
1T was awful" said the Colonel. Il
fastened to him and told him the mistake
he was making and got him to change it.
II might have flown there that way all day
il we hadn't looked out for 1t even after we
lost the right to raise it."
After Capt Norman's widow had taken
the stand and told OF hearing her husband
say that the Colonel he had created should
have the flag the plaintiff Colonel rested.
COL Gardiner and his brother sprung sur
prise then by producing written receipt
bearing Capt Nornan's signature 1t was
for 500, in return for wi ich Capt. Nor
man had delivered to Col. Gardiner Or
ganization various relics and flags belong
ing to his old command, the Continentals.
This was a great shock to most Of the
Colonies. Col. Morehouse declared loudly
that the signature was not Capt. Noman's
and was auieted by the Court.
.The Society OF the War OF 1912 had moth