davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-14

from the authorities at Washington. To-
her they set sail down the Chesapeake
bay in the United States ship Minden in
search of the British fleet. After a sail
of at least forty-eight hours, in whlch
they covered a distance of over 100 miles.
they met the fleet at the mouth OF the
Patuxent river. Under flag of truce they
boarded the flagship Surprise of Admiral
Cochrane. where they were courteously
received by the British admiral How
ever when their mission was made known
they readily perceived that it was del
icate question and one which was not at
all agreeable to the British officers.
Story of the Inspiration.
1t was with no little difficulty that Mr..
Key eventually. by his eloquent presenta-
ton of the cause. succeeded in gaining
the British admiral's consent to release
DIR. Beams. but Mr.. Key was informed
they would all have to be detained until
after an attack on Baltimore. According
~ with the British fleet, they returned to
Baltimore. reaching there the morning Of
the 10th of September. 1914, when they
were transferred. under guard of British
marines to their own little vessel and
anchored in a position within the enemy S
lines from which they could witness the
attack on their country. that their NOR
tification might be complete in the easy
victory which the British were confident
Under Gen. Ross. on the morning OF
September b. 1914. the British landed at
North Point distance of twelve miles
from Baltimore 5000 soldiers. sailors and
marines, and this great army. composed
largely of the flower of the Duke OF
Wellington's victorious forces over Napo-
leon at Waterloo. moved along the road
leading from North Point to Baltimore.
the fleet took up a position. forming their
s],ips in a semicircle, about two and one
half miles off Fort McHenry, the principal
defense of the city. Almost simultaneously
with the clash of arms between the Brit
ish army and the American militia on
the North Point road midway between
North Point and Baltimore the British
fleet opened fire upon the fort and its
little garrison of brave defenders. AS
the day waned the little party of Ameri-
cans on board the Minden took courage
from the stubborn resistance OF their
countrymen. and the flag of their coun-
try, which defiantly waved over the RAM
parts of the fort became the chief OBJ
ject of their attention and interest as
they watched IL to learn that the fort
had not surrendered. During the night,
when the darkness hid it from sight. the
poet tells us
The rockets red glare. the bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night that our flag waf
still there.
About two o'clock In the morning. how
ever, the British. failing in an attempt
to steal by the fort, that they might by
circumvention attack the garrison in the
rear brought upon themselves a CALLING
and most fatally destructive fire from the
American batteries, bringing the bonn
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-14

honor permitted him by Providence of
immortalizing his name upon the flag of
his country.
AS a lawyer he made a brilliant repu-
tatlOn. Reverdy Johnson, one of the
most distinguished lawyers Maryland ever
produced. with and against whom Mr..
Key had tried many important cases both
In the courts of Maryland and the United
states Supreme Court. after Mr.. Key s
death paid a great tribute to his legal
and literary talents and attachments.
Brilliant Legal Record.
A particular consideration of each of
the many most important and interesting
! cases in which he figured as a lawyer is,
Of course impossible. However. as so
little Is generally known of him as a
lawyer a few of the more important ones
shall be mentioned.
Shortly after the Harrison and Van
Buren, presidential contest. in 1S4O a bit
ter libel suit grew out of the removal
of Robert White. the collector of the
port, by President Harrison upon the
petition of a number of the citizens of
| Georgetown. The majority of the most
prominent members of the bar were en-
| ployed on one side or the other of the
| case. Mr. Key, together with two others.
| represented the plaiptiff Upon the trial
| in the Circuit Court of the District OF
Columbia the ruling Of the court upon
the question as to whether the petition
| ~ tilC 1 ICSluCHt was uOl d pTIN1lcScu
| communication lost for the plaintiff his
case. Upon appeal of the case to the
| Supreme Court of the United States. how
| ever. Mr.. Key had the judgment of the
! lower court reversed.
| The construction of the old Aqueduct
bridge across the Potomac river in 1886
by the Alexandria Canal Company
aroused the Indignation of the citizens
| OF Georgetown to such extent that they
determined to invoke the aid of the court
| to prevent it. Mr.. Key was accordingly
employed to petition the court. on behalf
! of the town. for an injunction enjoinine
the canal company from continuing its
operations. The case involved some very
nice and far-reaching questions of con-
| stitutional law. and was eventually car
ried by appeal to the Supreme Court OF
the United States. but Mr.. Key was not
so successful in this as in the other. the
court deciding against his contention
Nevertheless. the records disclose mos,
marked ability in handling the intricate
questions involved.
Perhaps the most important service
ever rendered his country was in his mis-
sion to Alabama in the fall Of 1888. where
he was sent by President Jackson as the
| special representative of the United
States to settle the dispute between the
| general government and the state Of Ala
| bama growing out OF the government
orders for the removal of settlers from
the Creek Indian lands within the terri
| torial limits of the state of Alabama. The
situation was most delicate and critical,
and the f1ercest sort of a controversy
arose. resulting in open resistance to the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-14

by the capture OF several British ships
AS a result the committee presented .
report a part OF which was:
I'm viewing this subject there appears
to be happy coincidence OF circum-
stances in having adopted the symbols
In this flag. and peculiar fitness or
things in making the proposed altera-
ton. In that part designed at dis
tance to characterize our country. and
which ought for the information OF other
nations to appear conspicuous and re-
main permanent. you present the num-
Der of states that burst the bonds Of OPP
preston and achieved our independence:
while in the part intended for the nearer
or home view you see a rer resentstion
of our happy Union as IL now exists and
space sufficient TO embrace the symbols
of those who may hereafter join under
our banner
Thereupon Congress enacted the flag law
In 1878. and the first flag i'm it's present
form was made by the wife Of Capt. Reid.
assisted by a number Of ladies. at her
residence in Cherry street New York
city. This flag had twenty-one stare. and
it was provided further by Congress that
star should be added upon the addition
of each new state. The plan OF arranging
the stars in rows was also adopted.
Flag Never Dishonored
The flag now has forty-fve stars. ana Il
is notable that il has never had one taken
from IT. the government maintaing during
the civil conflict in the sixties that the tie
which binds the states cannot be severed.
Although the flag has passed through
three foreign wars. II has never known
defeat. never been trailed in the dust OF
dishonor. Some of the uses to which II Is
sometimes put at home. however. are not
suggestive of the highest respect. But
thirty-four states and territories now
have laws making II a misdemeanor pun
ishable with fine and Imprisonment or
both. to place any inscription or picture
upon the flag, and two bills are before
Congress with similar purpose, one be-
ing passed by the Senate at the session
| just closed.
On the Fourth OF July OF this year an
other star will be added. and Oklahoma
| will take her place in the galaxy OF states.
The sun never sets upon 'Old Glory" and
this was true before the acquisition Of
the Philippines. the Aleutian Islands a
part of Alaska. extending so far west
that when the sun sinks below the hori-
ION there it is just rising from the sea at
Eastport, Me.
Countless anecdotes might be related OF
devotion TO the flag and of personal sacri-
fees made for its preservation. Women
| as we'll as men have exhibited sublime
heroism when the flag was in danger.
And the principles for which IL stands
have earned for IL and for the country
the respect OF all the world.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-14

that the magnificence with which 1t en-
| veloped his memory has eXtinguished the
brilliancy of the other noble deeds of his
| life.
Nature ushered him into this world
August q, 1850 and during nearly sixty
three years he SO lived that his deeds
will ever be an inspiration for those of
all coming generations.
At Belvoir the home of his grandmoth-
err. Ann Arnold Key. on the Severn river,
seven miles from Annapolis. much of his
early life was spent while in attendance
| at school. and during his student days at
st. Johns College. Annapolis he lived
with his great aunt, his grandmother S
sister. Mrs. Upton Scott. who was Eliza
beth Ross. His grandmother, Mrs. Key.
was totally blind. having lost her eyesight
| from fire and smoke in the rescue of two
of her servants from flames when her
fathers house at Carpenters Point, in
Talbot county. was burned.
| Together with Roger b. fancy. who
| subsequently. as stated. became his broth
/ er-in-law. Mr.. Key read law in the office
of jeremiah Townley Chase. who was
afterward one of the judges of the gem
| eral court of Maryland.
In 1902 he married Mary Tayloe Lloyd.
granddaughter of Edward Lloyd, royal
governor of the colony from 1909 to 1714.
The ceremony was performed in the
Annapolis. which house is still standing.
| They had eleven children, six boys and
| five girls.
Begins Practice Of Law.
| He began the practice of his profession
! at Frederick. Md. but subsequently re-
moved TO Georgetown. District of Column
bia. forming an association with his uncle
Philip Barton Key. Under Presidents
Jackson and Van Buren, he was three
times appointed United States attorney
for the District of Columbia and served
with much distinction from January, 1898
| to July. 1871.
The Christian fortitude of his grand
| impressed itself greatly upon his highly
| instruction and from her example. most
attendant at church and to the end of his
religious affairs. being for many years a
| vestryman of st. Johns Episcopal Church
in Georgetown where. to the memory OF
its first rector. the Rev. Johannes 1. Sayrs
can at present be seen mural tablet. the
inscription of which was composed by
Mr.. Key. He also contributed two
hymns, Lord. With Glowing Heart I'd
Praise Thee and Before the Lord We
Bow" to the Episcopal hymnal. The
former is still retained in later editions
and its beautiful lines are its best testi-
monial The latter is an exceptionally
fine and beautiful hymn.
For the purity OF his character and un
swerving Christian sincerity, the richest
OF his earthly rewards. was the exalted
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-14
Copyright. 1905. by F. s. Key smlth)

Copyright 1905. by +. s. Key SmIth)
ARTICCLAR interest in the FLAG
day celebration in Washington
yesterday centered around the
II Francis Scott Key flag raising
ceremonies at the old Key man.
sion, in Georgetown. Commissioner H
B. F. Macfarland presided over the
meeting. which was held at the old home,
35lS NJ street northwest.
1t is singular how events having no
connection whatsoever sometimes, as it
would seem of their own affinity. group
themselves naturally together. OF the
eight full legal holidays which we observe
those three which commemorate events
OF national history. viz. Decoration day.
Flag day and independence day, fall
almost within thirty days of each other.
The Continental Congress passed the
resolution formally adopting the fiae
June II. 1IiI. the anniversary of which
event we observe and popularity term
Flag day. And it was on September II.
1914. that the flag was christened and our
national anthem born.
Now, after nearly d century of neg
lect. events have so shaped themselves
that il is made posSibl for the first time
in history TO raise the flag over the old
home at the nations capital OF the author
OF the beautiful hymn which stood spon-
sor. as il We're, at the baptism of shot
and shell and christened the flag The
Star Spangled Banner.
About fifty years before the signing OF
the Declaration of independence, or. to
he precise. about the year 1875, Henry
and Philip Key. sons of Richard and
Mary Key of St. Paurs parish. Covent
Garden. London. settled in the colony OF
Maryland about forty miles from the
mouth of the Potomac river, at place
since known as Hometown. Henry
died young, a bachelor. Philip lived and
was twice married. BY his first wife
Susaanah Gardiner. ne had seven chill
dren. One of these. a son named Francis
married Ann Arnold Ross. daughter OF
John Ross. who settled in Anne Arunde
county near Annapolis in 1880 AS the
result of their marriage there were borr
to them three children. John Doss. Philip
Barton and Elizabeth Scott. The firs
named ard the eldest married Anne
Phoebe Dagworthy Charlton and removed
with his bride TO his estate, Terra Rubra
in Frederick county. Md. Here were
born 10 them two children, Francis Scott
and Ann Arnold. The daughter married
Roger b. fancy. subsequently chief JUS
tice of the United States Supreme Cour
ard Secretary of the Treasury under
President Jackson. The boy. although
gaining prominence as a lawyer in after
life. became famous chiefly as the author
of Americas national anthem, The Stal
Spansled Banner"
Ii would seem in composing his tribute
to the flag, the splendor with which ht
crowned his name has shown so brightly
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-14

thought that "Old Glory" was
mature at its birth. But its in
fancy dates back to the earliest
mon with all things in nature and human
history it was a growth.
At the time OF the birth of "The Star
Spangled Banner tradition and verified
history had marked some 500 years since
the advent of the first European upon
American soil. The Norsemen and the
Danes landed upon the northeastern
shores of this continent several times be-
tween the years aS6 md 1900 as is proven
by their own records. AS they took tenn
ed some standard, but no account of its
design has come down To this genera ion.
In 1892 Columbus planted the flag of
Spain on the island of San Salvador. one
of the Bahamas. and again in 149S at the
mouth of the OrinOco in South America
but the first flag to float over the soil of
the North American continent of which
history tells was planted on the shore of
Labrador in 1897 by Sebastian Cabot.
This was the red cross of St. George -
the royal ensign of Henry VII of Eng
land. a red cross upon white field
Coming down to the history of the
United States it is found that from the
settlement of jamestown to the June day
when the present flag was adopted Eng
lands flag, with some variations in the
last few years. was the flag of the colo
nlsts. The province of New York first
settled by the Dutch. was for time an
exception, and the Swedish colOnists of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-14

American Soil.
Richard Couer de Lion IN 1892. and planted at
Labrador by Sebastian Cabot in 14Y7 as the royal
ensign OF Henry VII.
Pennsylvania and Delaware doubtless
used the flag of their native land.
The first stage of evolution was marked
two years before the settlement of James
town. when James of England. in honor
of the union, placed the diagonal white
cross of ST. Andrew with the red cross OF
st. George, both upon a blue field. This
is the first blending of the American ma
tional colors known to history. The red.
white and blue is therefore as old as the
country, as it appeared in the flags which
f1oated over the Virginia settlement and
was the flag of the Mayfower and of
Plymouth.
Changes in Colonists' Flags.
In 1894 the Massachusetts colony de-
cided to show no flag. This was not for
lack of respect for the mother country.
but on account of the peculiar religious
intolerance of the time the red cross be-
ing cause of offense because of it's
connection with Catholicism. 1t was
finally decided that it might be used upon
the fort at the entrance of Boston har-
Dor when ships were in sight, but no.
where else in the colony. And this condi-
ton of things lasted for seventeen years
until the court of Massachusetts ordered
the restoration of the flag.
Under Cromwell and Charles II vari-
Gus changes in the flag We're made. and a
little later the color was changed to red
and the crosses on the blue field placed
in the upper left corner. This Cromwell
flag was rejected by the colonies. and
they continued to use the kings colors."
The red flag vas not adopted until 1907,
and then the red. white and blue dis
appeared for a time, the colonists SUBJ
stituting a pine tree or a globe-some
times both--for the crosses. In Trum-
bulls celebrated painting. THE Battle
of Bunker HILL the red flag with the
pine tree is shown. A little later the
Massachusetts troops adopted a white
flag with pine tree in the center and
the motto IAN Appeal to Heaven"
Other colonies adopted various devices,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-14

Tuscaloosa. wing with each other: cen
cocted many clever schemes 10 gam 10,
their albums a stanza or so of original
verse from the poets pen. Mrs. Gayle
the wife of Gov. Gayle. In her journal
leaves several charmingiy interesting
glimpses of this side of his visit
With the circumstances under when
1.-The Star Spangled Banner was com
posed nearly all Americans are by this
time sufficiently familiar.
Upon the request of the citizens OF Up
per Marlborough. Md. he had secured the
permission OF the government for his Off
cially visiting the British fleet to inter
cede for the release of DIR. William
Beams, a respected citizen Of that place.
who had been taken prisoner by the Brit
ish in their retreat through the town to
their ships in the PatuXent river after the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-14

authority of tho United States the burn
ing of several towns and the unfortunate
killing of a settler Hardeman Owens. by
a United States soldier. The governor
was requested by the state court, whose
mandates had been disoheyed by the mill
tary. to call out the militia; and threat
to both United States and state officials.
In short, the prevailing condition Dor
dered on civil war.
Armed with the authority of the United
States to prosecute and defend the cause
and officers of the general government in
both federal and state courts, Mr.. hey
arrived at Fort Mitchell. Ala. the nth
day of November. 1893, and he so diplo-
matically handled the delicate situation
that December IS. less than SIX weeks
from his arrival. he was enabled to re
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-14

FIRST Flag That Floated
in North America Was
the Red Cross of St. George,
the Royal Ensign of Henry
VII of England-With Some
Exceptions England's Ban
ner Waved Over the Original
Thirteen Colonies Until the
War of the Revolution-The
First Flags of the Army and
Navy-When Betsey Ross
Cut Out the Star-Washing-
ton in Large Measure Re-
sponsible for Colors and De-
sign of Flag-Official Reason
for Adoption of the Stripes
Is Obscure-Flag Has Never
Suffered Defeat or Dishonor.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-14

to procure strips of red flannel and white
cotton which were used for the stripes
A flannel shirt furnished the blue field,
and from another shirt of white cotton
the stars were cut. Although of poor
material. Regain paid $50 for it. He
also furnished the needles and thread.
In concealment. best they could. the
men wrought. with clumsy fingers. until
the task was completed. The flag, six
feet in length. was extremely rude and
unfinished. but it was a fag-their flag
and beautiful in their eyes. Probably nc
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-14
FRANCIS SCOTT KEY.

battle of Bladensburg. August "a, 1914
and the subsequent burning of the city of
Washington.
Not knowing the destination of the fleet,
which, having weighed anchor, had sailed
down the Patuxent. Mr.. Key set out for
Baltimore by stage from Washington the
morning of September ;, 1914.
Upon his arriving there he occurred the
cooperation of Col John S. Skinner,
United States agent for parole of prison
ers at that port, to whom he had letters
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-14

The kings cclors," union between the red
cross Of st. George Of England and the white
cross of Scotland under King James in 1906
the flag OF the Mayfiower in 1920.
from our mother country, separating it
by white stripes. thus showing that we
have separated from her, and the white
stripes shall go down to posterty repre-
enting liberty"
Then came the final process of devel-
opment, and the crosses were forever
taken from the flag. and instead the
stars were placed upon the blue field.
The American flag. having passed the
stage OF infancy, reached its first birth
day anniversary on the June day when
the. American Congress iR session at
Philadelphia resolved That the flag of
the thirteen United States be thirteen
stripes. alternate red and white, the union
to be thirteen stars. white on a blue field,
representing a new constellation, the
stars to be arranged in a circle
There are several answers to the ques-
lion. What suggested the Stars and
Stripes? Some authorities maintai that
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-14

turn to his home in Georgetown. having
successfully accomplished an amicable
settlement of the matter in full accord
ance with his instructions and the wishes
of the President.
Keys Popularity in Society.
The social side of his visit to Alabama
is interesting. AS the author of Amer
ica's national song his fame had preceded
him. The young ladies of the town of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-14

34ISI Lag OI the AHlcIlCdu hcpuoAAS
Adopted by American Congress in Philadelphia.
June IA lI11. with thirteen stars and thirteen
stripes, symbolizng the thirteen original colonies.
similar recognition of the flag OF the Hor-
net. an American vessel fitted out at Bal
| timore by Joshua Barney, later Commo-
dore Barney.
An uncertain thing is fame. Whatever
the truth of the various statements the
progress of the flag has been continuous.
The flag of thirteen stripes and thirteen
stars was used at ywine-fioated
over the surrender of aforementioned
the patriots during the dreary winter at
Valley Forge. waved at Yorktown and
shared the rejoicings at the close of the
war.
The first change came in 1874, when
Vermont having been admitted to the
Union in 1871. and Kentucky in 1892. a
bill was presented in Congress increasing
the number of both stripes and stars to
fifteen. This bill caused much debate.
but was finally passed. and the fifteen
striped flag vas used for twenty-three
wears. and 1t was in this form that the
dag inspired Francis Scott Key to
write the national anthem. THE Star
Spangled Banned" In 1918 the number
of states had increased. to eighteen.
Congress Accepts Permanent Design.
Now comes an interesting item in the
flags history. To Mr.. Peter II. Wend-
over of New York city We are indebted
for the present appearance of the flag.
Mr.. Wendover was a member of Congress
and on the 9th of December. 1916. he
took up the matter Of a permanent form
for the flag. His business was that Of a
sail and flag maker. and he realized be-
cause of experience the impracticability
of adding a stripe as each new state
should appear. He therefore. offered a
resolution-"that a committee be appoint
ed to inquire into the expediency of
altering the flag of the United States.
and that they have to report by bill or
otherwise The motion was carried,
and he was made chairman Of the COM
mittee to report law.
The committee referred the matter to
Capt Samue c. Reid of New York, who
had, as a privateer, distinguished himself