Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-06-07
True Story of Barbara
Fntchie Incident
BY Mrs. Clara v. Mott

erick In 1871. Barbara, then young
girl, was at a quilting party at the
hotel when word came that Washing,
ton would pass the night there, and
she Immediately offered the loan OF
her blue coffee pot" which was &C
cepted. She was devoted to flowers
and her garden was famous through
out the town. When gardening she
wore a long pair of heavy channels
gloves, which protected her sleeves
and which now repose In Mrs. Alb,
bolts cabinet. Companloning them is
q pair of silk mitts, knitted by Mrs
Fritchie's own hand. her tea cups, a
nut cracker in a leather case, a glass
pitcher of shells, which she used as
IN ornament, a tea canister, wine de.
canters in odd shapes, and tiny glass
smelling bottle, in the form of corn.
ucopia, which in company with many
another worthy dame, the old lady us.
ed to carry to church, filled with
strong hartshorn, which they inhaled
during the sermon to keep them
selves awake.
The Ancient Fan
Among other treasures reposes a
ian that was once welded by the
land of Dame Barbara's mother, and
which must therefore. be fully 150
jears old, as her daughter was SO
years and Is days old whom she died
Over the cabinet hangs the flag
which has been framed to preserve it.
here is also framed photograph OF
he flag presented to General Reno
which portrait was sent to Mrs. Alb.
oott by the descendants of General
,eno,, when they learned the true
history of it through letter from
drs. Abbott. They had formerly be.
lieved that this was the flag spok.
an of in the Whittier poem, and had
20 stated in an article published in a
lew York paper. They were very
glad to be corrected on this point, and
wrote Mrs. Abbott that tney were just
S proud of their flag as thought it
rad been the famous one.
A Veteraa Of the War.
So many persons from all over the
United States, and even from Euro
,ean shores. have been to see Mrs.
.bbotts treasure cabinet, that she
bought it would be interesting to
ave register; but the matter was
lelayed until May 80 1900, when the
hook was finally purchased and much
his delight the first one to inscribe
his name, was Henry Beaver, so years
Id, of Consnohocken, Pa, who was
me of the Union soldiers who march
d by the little house on Patrick
treet that memorable day in 1852.
A Delayed Tribute
Barbara Fritchie died in 1862, in
yer 9th year, and for long years her
tumble grave. in a neglected old Gem
terry, has been the eagerly sought
,hrine of hundreds of visitors to Fred
,rick. 1t is now proposed to remove
Ter remains to more hitting resting
llace in Mt Olivet cemetery, and an
association has been formed to Sc
cure funds to erect a suitable mem
orial over the grave, a memorial which
hall be tribute from every man,
woman, and child in the United States
o the spirit of Barbara Frietchie-the
spirit of patriotic Americanism.
Then build to her,
Build high to her,
Whose spirit of the brave shone
through a frame
Grown frail and weak,
But never meek,
While patriot heart spoke out in
fame.
Her womanhood
Rejoiced; it could
Not brook concealmeut of her Loyal
love;
The flag of truth,
Not reckless ruth
should that day wave the marching
hosts above
Red. white and bite
We honor you,
Us gray-haired Barbara did in days OF
yore;
Memorial
To her shall tell,
he story of the love grown more anc
more
A tribute high,
Beneath blue sky,
o loyal hearts and patriotism true,