The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-06-24
The Star Spangled Banner Restored

The tattered Star Spangled Ban
ner;;" which inspired Francis Scott
Keys famous poem, is being repaired
at the Smithsonian Institute, by Mrs.
C. Fowler Of Boston, and is to take
its place in the Flag Centennial in
Baltimore This celebrated flag, ac-
corCling to the officials at the Smith
sonian Institution, lis the largest ever
known to have been in action.
The siege of TT. MclIenry in Sep
TENDER, 1914, has had more than a
passing interest to two persons of Des
MOines. Tacitus Hussey, whose faith
err was Lieutenant George tIussey,
who helped defend the fort on that
night; and David Norris, Familiarity
known as Uncle Davie," who, with
his team, was drafted into the service
of hauling powder to the fort and to
the belleaguered city OF Washington.
On his trip to Washington, when he
arrived at Capital Hill. the wagon
train met President Madison fleeing
from the burning city. His carriage
was loaded with office records, and the
president was riding one of the horses.
On going up hill, the presidential
carriage got stalled, and David was
detailed to hitch his team on and help
him out; which he did, giving him the
distinguished honor of being the
helper of the president of the United
States out of bad fix. The presi-
dents wife was at that time hiding
E,I ~ pNt1
Norris died on the east side of the
river in the year 1897 at the age of
95 years. And now, for the story of
the siege and the writing of the song.
When the British fleet had bonn
barded Washington and left it a
blackened ruin in 1914, it sailed down
Chesapeake bay, threatening Balti-
more. On the flag ship they carried.
by design or accident, a certain Doc
tor Bean, who had been attending
some of the officers or men on the
flag ship. Mrs. Bean was very much
troubled about it, and went to Presi-
dent Madison. who had by that time
returned to his official duties. and
asked him to send ship after the
English fleet and rescue DR.. Bean and
bring him back. Francis Scott Key
was commissioned to do this; and
having small ship placed at his
service he overhauled the British
fleet, and after some parley succeeded
in rescuing DR.. Bean and getting him
on board. The British commander,
knowing that FIT. McIIenry was to be
hombarded that night, made Mr.. Key.
DR.. Bean and the ships crew pris-
oners on their own ship until the next
day. AT "a safe distance they saw the
bombardment. pacing the decks all
night, as sleep was impossible. 1t was
a fierce battle. as the fort replied shot
for shot, as far as possible. At 5
o'clock, the firing on both sides
ceased. and the watchers on the little
ship were in fever of anxiety as to
the result, a heavy fog seeming to have
until there came CLEAN of daylight
that theer was revealed the iutter of
the stars and stripes on the fort. 1t was
then. that an inspiration took posses
sion of Mr.. Key and Selling the first
piece of paper he could lay his hands
on began writing the verses which
have made him immortal and given to
the world song which will never die.
The song was published in the Ralti-
more American soon after; and was
sung in the theaters to the drinking
song entitled "Anacreon in Heaven"
The music has never been changed. so
far as known. although in the earlier
days some objections We're made to its
compass as not being suitable to or
binary voices; yet it will be sung to
the end of time. bringing an audience
TO their feet with uncovered heads!
1t is a pleasure to know that the
old original flag is to be restored and
kept as priceless relic of the war of
1912; for surely it is worthy place
among our cherished relics Of the
past; and reminder of the gratitude
due Ito Him who preserved us a Ma
Talk.
The American idea of physical de-