The Washington herald., 1907-03-10

aheld I'm other lines, and is followed by
men OF national reputation Of the bench
Of the Capital City. Francis Scott Key
Smith. IineaI descendant of the poet.
is a. young attorney Of Washington. and
is the managing spirit back Of the move
meut
Much Of romance Lovers about the
historical section of Washington IN which
stands this substantial OLD house that
vas for long the home OF Francis Scott
Key. and which has stood for more than
e hundred years through varying vicis-
STUDIES. IL is situated iu Georgetown.
The house was built on terrace along
the river front. where many OF the first
settlers built their homes.
Directly opposite, on the Virginia side,
lies the National Cemetery at Arlington.
Directly iu the course of travel that is
customarily taken by tourists who view
the historic points of interest Of this
section the famous old house is visible
from all directions where it. stands in it's
narrow street
Anthem Written Here.
Francis Scott Key was making his
home in this house ar the time of the
writing OF 'The Star SpangIed Banner. d"
II was here that call came TO him from
friend in distress who had been cap
tured by the British He was planter
in Virginia and noncombatant and
asked the lawyer 20 come TO Baltimore
and intercede I'm his behalf
He undertook the mission which was
not without its perus I'm those days of
1914. when the war Of 1872 was near
ing its close. He rode on horse
back TO Baltimore. and under flag OF
truce went aboard a British battle ship
which was I'm The Chesapeake, he had
interviewed the proper authorities and
had been successful i'm his mission. and
was ready 90 return % shore. but found
that uubuowiugly DE had thrust himself
into the midst of great event.
Night had drawn on. and with it came
the b0mbardmcut of Fort N-iIgnry. In
the activity that preceded the lombard
meut there was no time for the sending
ashore OF private citizens, and he was
forced 10 remain ON board during the
battle that ragged heavy throughout the
night.
Inspiration for Song.
The suspense of the nights battling
was great upon the imprisoned American
patriot, and the coming Of tae dawn when
the result OF the bOmbaTdment of the
night would be known was watched with
caEerncss. He awaited anxiously to dis
cover if the flag Of his country was still
afioat over the ramparts of the fort
With the discovery in the gray dawn
of the fact that the great flag at the
fort still held its place came the inspira-
tion that led to the writing Of the song.
The first rough copy was made on the
backs Of envelopes and those fragmentary
jottngs were all that was carried ashore
later in the day when the prisoner was
released. From these the first copy was
made in the office Of a Baltimore friend
and this draft is still in the hands or the
descendants.
The flag that waved over Fort Nc
Henry on the morning after the bonn
bardment, and that inspired the famous
song, is still in existence 1t is the prop
erty OF Eben Appleton, of New York
who Is Hne4I descendant of Maj Armis-
tead. who was in command OF the fort
at the time of the battle.
Key rs n Lawyer.
Key lived for many years after this
in the old mansion at Georgetown. The
simplicity of living in those days is shown
by the fact that his office was maintained
throughout his professional career in the
small shed adjoining his residence. That
was before the day Of high Office build
inEs in Washington.
That Key ranked high in the practice
of law in his time is cvinced by the many
positions Of responsibility that he held.
Among his papers are 10 be found copies
of many addresses that were delivered on
public occasions. and these show evidence