Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-28
THE HISTORY OF OUR FLAG.

Editor The Courier:
The story of our flag is one which
every American citizen should know
and hand down to future generations.
Being the greatest flag now float
ing on earth 1t should make MS feel
, grateful and our love for it unbound
ed In order to get the facts from the
records of the Betsy Ross family, I
wrote to Mrs. Catherine (Albright
Robson of Fort Madison, Iowa, who is
great granddaughter of Betsy Ross
and her mother, Mrs. Rachael Albright,
who died in Fort Madison, was known
to me from childhood. She was raised
in the old home of her grandmother,
Betsey Ross, in the old house, now
owned by the city of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. Betsy Ross was born
January 1, 1852, and died January 10,
1886. She was buried in Mount Moriah
cemetery, Philadelphia, and over her
grave stands the same stone marking
! it. and over it floats always the old
flag. Over the old house floats always
from dormer window the flag and the
city Of Philadelphia owns the house
and keeps it in same condition. It is
called 1.-THE Flag House." When George
Washington, Col. George Ross and
George Morris were appointed by con-
gress to design flag, they visited
Betsy Ross and told her what they
wanted. The star then was six
pointed one, and she took her scissors
and cut out five pointed one and said
THAT is better as the six pointed one
represents English heraldry and this
one does not" She also held that the
colors red, white and blue should be
RETAINED, but for every new state
star should be added. The design she
named was accepted by them and she
, was selected to make 1t for them. She
also made flags for the government for
many years. The memory of Betsy
Ross should never be forgotten but
revered forever. I believe God when
He sent Columbus to discover Amen-
ca it was for it to be promised land
where He would protect His people
and use them for outstanding and
educating the world. He also gave
Betsy Ross the design which she used
in it's making. also believe that when
Christ comes again He will use it for
bis people forever.
Our flag floats over our government
buildings ships and navies, as well as
our armies and victory is always ours.
| It protects us in every part of life in
every part of the world. 1t foated
over all our armies during our wars
and millions of brave men gave up
their lives for it, 1t protects our mis-
sionaries in every cline and it's folds
are loved by every American every
where 1t has been named the Star
Spangled Banner" "Old Glory" and
many other names, but have one that
l believe is the best one as its blue
represents the heavens. its white the
pure white life of Christ, it's stars the
star of Bethlehem and its red the blood
he shed on the cross for the remission
of our sins. l name it The Banner Of
the Cross AS it floats over our build
ings, ships, navy and armies why
should it not be hung behind every
pulpit? Let every child see it during
Sunday school, same as day school,
and every congregation while the min
lister delivers his sermons. want to
hear that it has been adopted by every
church in the land. I hung it up in
the Congregational church at Eldon
and want it done in every church. tits
Christ's banner and He has protected
us and gave us the promised land and
He will reward us for our works.
J. H. Houghland.
Color Guard, 10th Iowa nifty. Vols.
Eldon, Iowa.