Omaha daily bee., 1907-03-24
Inspired a National Song

Mrs. George Livingston Baker Of
westervelt avenue, New Brighton, Staten
Island, is authority for the statement that
the star spangled banner, which flew over
Fort McHenry during its bombardment in
the war OF 1912 and inspired Francis Scott
Key TO the composition Of the national
ode, is now in New York City. Mrs. Baker
is the granddaughter of Colonel George
Armistead. The flag, she says, is the
property Of Eben Appleton OF this city,
her brother and has been deposited by
him in the safe deposit vaults of a Broad
way trust company. Mrs. Baker refused
TO give any more definite address for her
brother or the name of the trust company.
Her brother had been annoyed so much
on account of his ownership of the flag,
she said, that he wished his address and
the place of deposit of the flag kept pri-
vate.
Mrs. Baker and her brother are mem
bers Of the Appleton family OF Boston and
New York City. Some OF the New York
Appletons, among them Colonel Daniel APP
pleton of the Seventh regiment and w. w.
Appleton Of 20 East Eighteenth street were
unable TO throw any light on the where
abouts of the proprietor Of the flag, but
all knew OF him. Mrs. Baker said:
THE flag came into possession of my
brother in this way; It was originally
the property of the government, Of course.
After the fort had been successfully de-
Tended against the British in the fight
which prompted Francis Scott Key to
write the national ode, the government
presented the flag 10 Colonel Armistead in
recognition of his conduct Of the defense
He died soon after. Three months after
his death his widow gave birth to little
girl, to whom the flag descended. She
married William Stuart Appleton of the
Boston family, who then came TO Balti-
more, her home, to live My brother, Eben,
and are the only surviving children. On
my mothers death the flag was left to
Eben and to me all the pictures and data
concerning 1t.
The flag itself is in a fine state of
preservation. The edges are not frayed,
although the nag is pretty dingy and
faded. There are a number OF bullet holes
in some OF the stripes and other rents
that look as II they were made by the
fragments Of shells in the bombardment
1t is large flag OF the size usually flown
now over army posts. 1t has thirteen
stripes, as I remember. don't remember
how many stars there are In the field
but the arrangement OF them, as l Tecol-
lect, is about they are arranged In the
present day flag.
1T is my brothers intention to leave the
flag on his death TO either one OF the ma.
tional museums at Washington or the
Massachusetts, Historical museum at Bos
ton. 1t was his idea, for as a southernel
he ts devoted 10 his state, TO leave II q
Maryland or one OF its historical museums
But some years ago a number Of men WIN
were getting up a horse race in Pimlico
Nd, thought they would Hike TO have tn,
nag at the race. They wrote my brothea
to this effect. When he replied expressing
his surprise that they should ask for tn,
flag for such a tr1fing use they boarded
train and came to my brothers house at ,
time most inconvenient. They had beel
drinking and the upshct of their visit 4
ask the loan OF the flag was that they wen
away angry and my brother was so en-
ragged at their lack Of respect for the reli
that no vowed the flag should never go Z
Maryland
1T is for the same reason. his annoyance
through being the owner Of the flag. tina
, he has made II a rule not 20 talk TO an
: one about II and TO keep his address TO him
self He lives In New York but he an
his wife are now travelling. I have all IN
: interesting facts IN my possession. I in
, tend soon 70 write a little booklet usin
/ these and the pictures not only OF this aas
, but OF the two other great dags OF tn
, country.
Il mean by that the famous John Par
. Jcnes flag and the one other whose nam
, and origin Just now cannot recollect Tn
Jones flag Is the first that was ever salute
, as the American flag on the sea. That wa
while Jones was fying II. He also pat mi
flag az the masthead OF the Bonhomm
Richard in the famous battle with the Ser
apis"
Mrs. Baker Is wen known IN Staten Islam
, for the fight she put up some years ag
against the railroad eompany's entry int
New Brighton. She travels extensively
behalf CT different patriotic societies
which she is interested. She Is a woman Z
middle age. Mr.. Ebsn Appleton Is aboU
= siNty.-New York Sun.