The Washington herald., 1911-07-16

Armed only with a heavy silk fan, gold
embroidered and reminiscent Of the mid
die nineteenth century, Mrs. Rebecca
Norwood, granddaughter of Francis
Scott Key. author o: The Star Spangled
Banner" invaded the halls Of Congress
yesterday Mrs. Norwood, who came all
the way from Texarkana, Tex, to deliver
to her cousin, Francis Scott Key Smith,
a grandson of the inditer of the national
anthem, and a lawyer of this city, a
valued copy of the original issue of
Francis Scott Keys poems, including an
original manuscript of THE Star Span
gled Banner" and other relics.
Mrs. Norwood, who. because of her
remarkable success in the business
world of her State, is known as the
Hetty Green of Texas, was discovered
quietly observing the proceedings of the
House from one of tho more exclusive
galleries. Being a business woman from
the ground up ard most desirous Of ad-
vancing the interests of her State in
general and Texarkana in particular.
Mrs. Norwood was willing to be inter-
viewed when a representative of The
Washington Herald approached her.
Age Her Secret.
In the first place. let 1t be acknowledged.
the reporter did not learn Mrs. Nor
woods age In fact before he could
muster up sufficient courage to approach
the energetic business woman on that
subject he was warned of the futility
of any such attempt. For one of the
first things the interviewed made plain
was that she did not care to be quizzed
concerning her age.
Now, don't you go and try TO put my
age in the PAPER she remarked, with a
smile. 1T is the queerest notion 1 ever
heard of and one that seems to be much
In vogue in this part of the country
that a paper must always print the age
of a lady 1t mentions. I never tell any
one my age. I won't even allow my
children to put my age on my tombstone.
Let it be enough for you to say that l
am not as old as 1 look. My daughter
says I am only sixteen years old, any
how.%
Indeed, as far as apparent mental and
physical energy is concerned, Mrs. Nor
wood might we'll pass for sixteen years
old. Here is another idea of the Texas
business woman as TO what should be
contained in an interview:
Now, don't go to work and write up
a lot of things about me-" she continued
II want you to say something about
Texarkana. When left there promised
the people of the town to tell the East
something about 1t. You see. I am an
honorary member of the board of trade
there. had little sketch of the town
printed before I came away. Here 1t is
Take it home and read it," And Mrs
Norwood proceeded with a brief review
of the business and residential attrac-
tions of her town.
Admires Capitals Beauty.
But, although she is still most loyal
to her home town, Mrs. Norwood ad-
mits the peculiar attractions of Wash
ington. In the first place." she says,
Il do not feel like a total stranger to
Washington, or to Congress. You see,
my father. Daniel Turner. was a mem
ber of Congress from North Carolina
for a number of years, and while here
met my mother, Anna Douglas Key,
Washington girl, and here married her.
So, you see, I feel as though I have
something in common with the city OF
Washington. And isn't 1t a beautiful
place! have been here two weeks, and
intended to leave before now, but I
simply can't seem to tear myself away.
expect to be here for two weeks
more before leaving for a short visit in
New York State"
If0here was one thing in Washing
ton Mrs. Norwood was disappointed in.
it was the short session of Congress
yesterday. She was there when the
House was called to order at noon and
she was much disappointed because the
body w2s in session only two hours.
Reason for Visit.
II wish you would say something
about the attempt that is being made
to preserve the home of Francis Scott
Key, in Georgetown. 1t was for that
cause that came all the way to wash
ington, to bring on this. copy of his
poems for reproduction and selling.
and to arouse, If possible, greater inter-
est in the house. It certainly ought
not to be allowed to go to rot here in
the Capital of the nation"
No, thank you; there is nothing you
can do for me. I am a lady of leisure,
so to speak, and1 am Just wandering
around" said the Texas woman OF
finance in conclusion.