The Washington herald., 1907-03-11

F---N- A~AANtA D-4AA6 6ANNiA 4N- ~
the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church at
Mannheim, Pa. And thereby hangs tale
that is full of romance and sentiment.
Many years ago-it was in l15o-Baron
Henry William Stiegel came to Pennsyl-
vania from Germany, bringing 100000,
which he invested In iron and glass works.
He had several hundred workmen gathered
around him. and for their convenience
founded the little town of Mannheim. He
built himself a palatial home among their
cottages, the brick being brought from
England by ship and then hauled by
wagon from Philadelphia. seventy miles
away.
In this house he set apart a chapel.
where he preached to his people in their
own language for twelve years. Then, on
December 4, 1772. he decided to the congre-
cation a piece of land on which to build
a church, and a unique clause in the deed
read, ''and yielding and paying therefor
unto the said Henry William suegeL heirs
and assigns, AT Mannheim, in the month of
June, yearly forever hereafter, the rent Of
one red rose, if the same shall be lawfully
demanded
Twice in the good old baron's lifetime
the rose was paid with all formality. Then
came the Revolution, which diverted the
attention Of the congregation TO other
things. and the custom was forgotten. In
1891 when a new church was being built
the pastor discovered the poetic provision
IN the old deed. His suggestion TO revive
the custom met with great approval and
a search was made for the Oldest legal
heir. This was found to be Mrs. Eliza
beth Luther, Of Pottsvlle. Pa, and with
quaint and pretty ceremony the rose
was presented to her.
The payment of the odd rent has since
been continued. the second Sunday in
June being set aside for the ceremony,
and from 5000 to l2,G00 people come each
year 10 witness the all-day service. Not
only is the stipulated rose given, but all
the congregation marches by the altar
and each places a red rose there in
memory Of the old baron and his philan-
thropy. IN 1868 the rose was received in
Cue form by Miss Martha NJ Horning,
Of Newport R. T.. but last year she was
too inhrm 10 appear. and the next heir
I'm line, Mrs. c. c. Hoover. Of Broadway.
Va. a great-great- granddaughter Of the
baron, received the rental
The old baron had an interesting his
tory. From his Elizabeth forge cannons
and ammunition were manufactured and
sold TO the Continental army in the time
of the Revolution. George Washington
sent him number OF Hessian prisoners
TO be put TO work cutting wood and burn
ing charcoal for use IN the furnace.
But somehow things began TO go wrong
with the baron and he became impris-
oned fer debt under the old Colonial
laws.
Later he was freed by an appeal to the
Colonial Assembly, and he went back in
poverty TO his people 10 become janitor
aud chOirmaster in the church he had
given, serving in this humble capacity
until his death. No one knows definitely
where he is buried, but the Brickville
Cemetery, Lancaster County, Pa, IS
thought to be the place. There is little
doubt that the ceremony of the rose
viii be continued forever hereafter" not
so much because the cid deed requires
it, but because the people want to keep
alive the memory of the gentle old phil
anJhrOpist, whose kindness and benevO-
lence live on, even though the resting
place Of his body is lost.
Col. Hugh Scott, who has been more
successful than any man in the army IN
capturing savage chiefs both in this
country and in the Philippines. owes part
OF his prowess TO his remarkable under
standing Of the sign language as used
by the North American Indian. He
mastered it in the West in the beginning
Of his career. He is greatly beloved by
the Indians, and is chief of several
tribes. Some time ago, when an appOr-
tionment Of government money was
made the Indians were much grieved
because Colonel Scott would not take
$4,000 which they thought belonged TO
him rs their chief. He Is regarded as
the foremost authority in America or
many Indian matters, and has given to
contemporary science much valuable
information.
Col. Scott once held Sitting Bull a cap
tive in the West. while his men were
chasing several bands Of rebellious IN
dians Another captured leader was be
ing held about a hundred miles from
where Sitting Bull was confined, and the
idea struck Col. Scott to arrange a tele-
phone conversation between the two
chiefs. 70 see if between them they could
not suppress the Indian insurrectionlsts
The connections were finally made, and
the suspicious Sitting Bull led TO the
machine and told 10 talk into it. He
gingerly began the conversation, listened
a little in startled surprise, and then
deserted the telephone in disgust. He
refused to renew the converse ton and
sat apart in hopeless detection. What
is the matter" inquired Col. Scott 1T
is that" replied the outraged Sitting
Bull, pointing to the offending telephone.
at is bad enough when the white mans
toy talks the pale face language. but
viii not have it speak TO me in the tongue
Of my fathers
Mrs. Reginald de Koven, wife OF the
noted composer, has the most unique
collection Of gems in this country, justi-
flying in their bizarre and unusual splen-
dor the small fortune which was eX-
pended for them. IN the collection are
two remarkable snake bracelets, with
jeweled backs, which twine about the
arm in sinuous fashion. a stomacher
of red stones is arranged in Arabic pat
terms with symbols so strange that even
Mrs. de Koven has no clew TO their mean
ing. Two jeweled anklets are displayed
TO visitors. 10 whom the enthusiastic col
leetor laughingly deplOTes the fact that
she cannot wear them. Her assortment
of moonstOnes is unequaled anywhere.
Some Of these are set in outre designs
with quaint meanings. With each frock
she has weird bracelets ana rings, match
ing in color the gown with which she
wears them. Even In her home the love
for the unusual has actuated Mrs de
Koven She has tapestries from old
French castles, and curtains Of rare old
weaves. the secret of which was lost in
the looms of her grandmothers.
or what use is fame? Mr.. Justice Har-
Ian. of the Supreme Court of the United
States. may count his honors and ask