The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-08-15
DOLLY MADISON AS AGENU|NE HEROINE Anniversary of Her Flight
 From Washington SAVED STATE PAPERS The Story Goes That Many of the Ladies She Had Previously De-
 tended Closed Their Doors
 Upon Her
SAVED STATE PAPERS
py c. F. STEWART


 Washington. August h4.-(Special.)- With August comes again the anniVer- sary of the saving by Dolly Madison of the state papers when she alone was left to guard them at the national capitol, and the enemy was within the gates. Of all the heroic deeds of wom- en who have figured in American his tory none shines brighter.
 There Is yet in print the plans for the defense of Washington against the British, drawn up by General Wilker- with Charles Carroll of Bellevue and Gen. John Mason. The plan called for fertilization of the two wings of the capitol and of the Presidents home and the erection of a redout in Lafayette square, then known as Davidson's or chard. Round towers of stone, with loopholes for musketry and storage for ammunition at the Presidents house was part of the plan, but 1t became so enmeshed in red tape that nothing was attempted. and while Pres ident Madison and what answered for the national guard hurried off in one direction after the redcoats they sailed up the river and made a backdoor en- trance, as 1t were to the deserted capital, deserted by all fighting men, and held only as regards official Wash ington by Mrs. Madison and her ser wants and a couple of friends. who, she wrote, "are very greatly vexed with me that I will not leave until General Washin gtons portrait is safely be- slowed"
 The little Quakeress held command of the situation for she would not be moved by impending destruction until certain articles sacred to her country were packed in her great coach. She even had to restrain her faithful ser want French John" who wanted to lay train of gunpowder in front or the house so as to give warm greeting to the advancing foe. Mrs. Madison wrote to her sister Just before leaving the White House: T have great trouble in persuading French John that we must not take all the advantage of the war"
 There is no record that Mrs. Madison took in her flight one single article of personal property. Room was at premium In the coach, big as 1t was, for the papers were many and bulky. The portrait of Washington had been sent to the very house where the Mad isons took up their residence onstheir return to the city, and where the treaty of Ghent was signed, and this was the only house of any Importance in the federal city to escape the enemy's torch.
 one hears much of the social graces of Dolly Madison and not much of her sorrow and disappointment at the in- gratitude of those she had made wei come to her home. It is tribute to the generosity of her nature that after the war cloud had passed and official duties were once more fully paid by Mrs. Madison she never sought to re- taliate on those who treated her so coldly while her husbands policy was in question. After her flight from tho burning city sho sought shelter for herself and the official papers in her coach and door after door was closed on her appeal, and it is related that she spent the night in the coach In an apple orchard as the onlyashelter from furious storm. But the same storm was quenchlng the flames of the burn ing city and driving the enemy back to his ships in panic. So she passed the night alone, save for few ser wants, without knowledge as to her husbands fate. her home destroyed, her country in danger the women she had befriended refusing her even the shelter of kitchen until the storm should pass. But plucky Dolly was un- dismayed.
 It is said in all records of that day 9S years ago on August 24, that as the British army of invasion was enjoying the burning of the capitol roar of thunder shook the town and trees crashed and lightning flashed about the heads of the British. In the beginning there was no rain, and the wind seemed to have been unnoticed, but the thunder sounded like cannonading and the British, thinking that the American troops were about to attack from the other side of the engirdlfng trees be- came panic stricken and dropped their torches and their booty and broke for their boats.
 They wouldn't stand a swell chance of getting even that far with their programme now.