The Washington times., 1912-03-27
WASHINGTON TIMES BUREAU,


1t has become known that there is
in the possession of Charles II. Burr,
of 14l3 Valley place, the president of
the Anacostia Citizens Association,
relic of the war of the Revolution that
is held to be of great historical value.
This is a sword that was carried by
Light Horse Harry Lee, of Revolu-
tionary fame, and II has been in the
possession of Mr.. Burr's family for
nearly half century. 1t was known
to only few people that Mr.. Burr has
this old sword, still in splendid cOnd-
tion, and when he mentioned II at
gathering of citizens the other evening
many examined the old weapon. Mr..
Burr thmen told the story attaching TO
the finding of the sword.
Mr.. Burr has a valued document writ
ten by the late Thomas S. Burr, his
father, which contains an account of
how the saber of Light Hors. Harry Lee
came into the possession of the Burr
family. 1t was presented to tho late
Mr.. l!urr, who was an old Washing ton
IAN, being connected during the civil war
with ;he qulrtCrmaster generals office,
lN Capt. William 4. Lindsey, Of Com
p;uly a, Eighteenth PENNSYLVANIA Cav
airy in the aprinj OF 1853. About TINS
=
typhoid fever in camp near Fairfax
Court House, Va, learned that g Ger
tain house in the neighhUrhood was the
resort of band OF gucrrillas and on
sending squad Of his soldiers to the
place II was discovered that in an up
per room number Of Carbncs were
concealed under articles of women's
GlothinS: The woman who lived there
was very old, widow, whose name
VAS given us Lee. When the soldiers
in0k away the arms fsom the house of
Mrs. Lee they also carried off the sword
The 'oGY od wSman tSma is IS sad he to baye
earnestly that this sword should not
be taken from her, asserting that II
was the sword Of her ancestor. Light
Horse Harry Lee as she affectionately
called him. She said that it had been
in the possession of her family FOR
eighty years, and because it was old,
rusted and worthless as a weapon 1t
could not be regarded as cont ra band
OF war" She besought the soldiers to
permit her to retain it, and had Captain
Lindsey been present it would not have
been removed. However, his men dis
regarded her tears. They carried the
sword to their camp. 1t was delivered
to Captain Lindsey, and subsequent
events made il impossible for him to
have it returned. Subsequently 1t was
presented to the late Mr. Burr with
certain injunctions. which were never
revealed, and he afterward willed it to
his son, with the admonition never to
part with II.
Mr.. Burr has had the sword polished
It measures about two and one-half
feet in length, its width varying from
one inch to one-eighth of an inch at the
point. Its one-time fine rosewood handle.
split and cracked in places, Is bound
with silver wire. The handle is sur
mounted by the figure of the head OF a
silver eagle. and where the handle joins
the steel figures OF eagles with out
stretched wings can be traced. The
sword is of finely tempered steel. 1t is
thought to have been used as a dress
sword by the revolutionary hero.
John A. Logan Corps, No. I, Womens
Relief Corps, Department of the Poto-
mac, which has reconsidered its plans
for dlsbanding, pending which no cleo
ton of officers was held last Decem-
ber, will be directed for the current
year by the same. women who were
chosen year ago last December. When
1t was announced that the women
would continue to maintain their auXili-
airy to John A. Logan Post, No. l3,
G. A. r., decision of the department
officers in Washington as to the con-
tinuance of the present officers during
the year was rendered, to the effect
stated above.
These officers are: Mrs. Ida Ferguson,
president; Mrs. Emily Frisbie, senior
vice; Mrs. Emma Emo, junior vice; Mrs.
Jane Mclean, chaplain; Mrs. Margaret
Tew, secretary; Miss Florence Frisbie'
treasurer; Mrs. Annie Quinn, cOnduc-
tress; Mrs. Carrie Smith, associate con-
ductress; Mrs. Sarah Smith, guard
Mrs Ferguson, the president has MADE
her home the meeting place for the
corps each month, and a meeting will
take place there tonight.
There Is no likelihood that the medal
presentation ceremonies in recognition
Of the heroism of Arthur Lusby and
Marcellus Balderston, Anacostia school
boys, who saved companions from
drowning when the ice gave away on
the Anacostia river several months ago,
will be held before the early part or
April. Albert +. Beck. who is making
arrangements for the exercises, follow
ing the receipt by him of contributions
from citizens for the purpose of pur-
chasing two gold medals, has been un-
able to obtain suitable medals yet, and
he will devote this week 70 selecting
the proper kind.
The question whether the Anacostia
Citizens Association shall continue to
q AH 1S