davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-13

they are prepared for the fore gn trad.
These men are called rabbiters. The.
work in gangs of a dozen or more ans
are paid according to the number the
kill and are usually employed by tho
packing houses. The rabbile:s are or
ganized into labor union and not In
frequently they go on strikes for an in
crease of pay. They are such a strong
factor in the polit cs of the country that.
1t is said. but for them it would be pos
sible to exterminate completely the pest.
The writers was told here that several
years ago experiments We're made b.
the Pasteur Institute in Paris, under the
direction of the commonwealth govern
ment. which resulted in the development
OF serum by which the rabbits could bc
inoculated and the contagion among them
rapidly spread until they would be all
killed off.
The government ordered a quantity Of
bacilli. but when the news of what ma
been done reached the ears of the rabbi
ers' labor union, they entered such pro
test against an end being put TO Their
business that the deadly germs We're not
permitted to land when they reached
Australia. 1t is also charged that the
professional rabbit slaughterers are large
~ responsible for the spread of the pest
. The writer was told by the directing head
of the rabbit discriminating department
of one of the state governments that the
rabbters. in order to keep up their bust
ness. often capture the live anima.s and
puace them upon land that has been
freed of the pest. 1t takes only a year
or two for a little colony of these pro-
life cottontails to densely populate a
wide area of country.
One IS forcibly impressed with the W de-
spread ravages that the little animals
commit by visiting localities where theN
have been permitted to multiply unre-
STRANGELY for few years. Toward the
close of day, between sunse. and dark
ness. they come out OF their h ding places
in countless numbers. All living vegeta-
ton bears the marks of their voracious-
ness.
Some years ago it was decided il would
be good plan to bring over few foxes
from England. with the view of seeing
what good they could accomplish In kill
ing the rabbits Reynard was turned
loose and for a time he feas ed upon the
trnnies. but he gradually surfeited OF IN.
sport or perhaps his appetite went Daci-
on HIM and no longer do the foxes pre-
upon the rabbits, except in cases OF dir'
hunger, where there is no ten ,er and su..
culent domestic fowl to appease theif
more fancifu! taste
The foxes themselves have become .
great pest In many localities. and The de-
vising of method for their eradication
has received considerat on. Probably ons
great cause of the marvellous increase OF
the rabbit population of Australia is that
there are no wolves. coyotes or other Wild
animals to prey upon them. Their only
enemy is the dingo. or wild dog, and this
animal Is not sufficiently numerous. ex-
cept in some remote localities, to count
much in allaying the rabbit march to au-
premacy in the pes.i,ent.al problem that
confronts this country.
Copyright 1914 by Walter c. Hosns1U.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-13

This theater is still in use and stands
near. the corner Of North Holiday ana
East Fayette streets.
-.
One of the popular legends is that Key.
poem with its music spread like wildtire
beyond Baltimore and In a short time be-
came a national song No doubt IL grew
rapidlr in favor for IL not long be-
fore Key himself could truthfuny say he
believed 1T to have been favorably re-
ceived by the Baltimore public" but It
was not generally regarded as our ma
tional anthem until about the time of the
civil war. From then on IL was to be
found in practically every songbook in
the land
So far as can be determined. 1t APP
pears that Key made in his own hand
writing at least five copies. exclusive %
the original draft Of The Star Spanslea
Banner" Most of these copies are still
i'm exstence. one being in the Walters
Gallery. Baitir.re. and another in the
possession of the Pennsylvania Historical
Society. The former is unquestionably
the earliest extant manuscr' pit OF that fa-
nous song. What became of the original
draft and OF the envelope on which Key
made the notes while still in the harbor
is unknown
Such is the story of the origin of our
nat onal anthem. AS soon as its real au-
thorship was diclosed TO the public Key
became national figI-e Everywher he
was cordially received and generously en-
,tertained On one occasion he attended
a political meeting and. beng addressed
as the author of The Star Spangie,
Banner" he was asked to relate the eS-
perience which had inspired him TO write
those immortal lines. And prolonged
applause he modestlv arose and thanked,
his friends for their expressions OF ap-
probation. said that the honor Of thc
poem was due. not to him who had writ
ten Il, but to the SONS OF Maryland
whose galiantry and patriotism had In
spired him to write it. Be this as il may.
it was Francis Scott Key who. one hum
bred years ago. penned the words which
will be loved and sung long as the
American nation lives.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-13

little later and they saw it dimly wav-
Ing in the breeze.
What is that which the breeze, DER the tower
ing steep
As 1t ftfu.ly blows, hat conreals, hat sclqses?
Now 1t catches tie CLAN of the morn. ngs first
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream:
lis the Star Spansled Banner; oh, long ma, 1t
Ger the land of the free and the home of the
brave"
The long hours of vigil were at last
over. The attack by land had not been
renewed; the bombardment by water had
ia led. Although about 400 shells from
the fleet had fallen into the fort the
brave defenders had lest but four men
killed and twenty-four wounded About
3 o'clock that morning the feet left the
harbor. and Key, Skinner and DR. b anes
were released. AT North point the SOL
diers who had attempted to force their
way into the city by land re-embarked,
% menace Baltimore no more.
When still on deck within sight of the
Stars and Stripes defantiy waving from
the fort on the one SIDE and the retreat
ing British on the other, Key wrote in
pencil, on the back of a letter which he
happened to have with him, some brief
notes describing the experiences of the
night. On his way to the shore he added
to them and that evening, in a Baltimore
hotel, wrote The Star Spangled Ban
ner as We know t today. The next
morning he took 1t to Judge Nicholson
a Ia ented musician of Baltimore, and
asked his opinion of it. The judge was
SO pleased that he at once took it to
the printing office Of Capt. benjamin.
Edes and directed that cop -es be struck
OF IN handb1il form. Capt. Edes was
away on military duty. but he had left
an apprentice 10y by the name of Sam
uel Sands in charge of the Office dur
ing his absence and it was young Sands
who set up the type and printed the
poem for the first time
Although it seems to he universally
conceded that to Ferdinand Duraug. a
young American soldier, belongs the
honor OF first singing our national
anthem, the various nara dives 90 not
Probably the account by Col. John L.
Warner. appearing in the Historical
Magazine in 1867. is the most accurate.
1t Is. in part, as follows:
II was first sing when frash from his Cant
Edes'i press. Mt small frame Story no Sc.
T,eater. This tavern had long been kept by e
Widow Berling and thin by Col Maeconkey. a
with the qu'dnuncs Of AZ day to DO honor TO
and to prepare for, the daily mil tar drill in
hy Ms. able ats sns then IL
Ter; 1914. when a lot of the young volunteer fe-
tenders of the Monum ntal city was thus rem
bled. Capt. Edes and Cart Tomas Warner
came early along one moraing and 70 thwi
called the group tquite merry witt tie Rritis
which the former had jut struck eff his pr. $.
He then read 1t to all the ynuHg volunteers I'll re
assembled, who graeted earb verse with eary
shouts. 1t was ten suggested rat 1t Id
be sung, but who was lie to ST z it Ferdi
and known to be vocalist. being among
group. ASSIGNED tie tast. tHeJ
mounted an old ,as, Toned, rus hottomed c ali
and sang this admirable national song for tIe
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-13
AUSTRALIAN RlBBIrs READY FOR EXPORT.

country. and began having such damag-
ing effects upon the pastoral industries
that the states of Victoria, New South
Wales. Queens and and South Australia
enacted far-reach'ng laws for the eradi-
cation and control of the cease.ess MI
orators.
1t was thought for time that they
would confne their depredations to the
better watered portions of the eastern
region of the continent and that no ear
need be had of them ever getting into
western Australia. Intervening between
the agricultural districts that border the
coast on the east and the western part of
the country where settlements of people
in considerable numbers have been mace.
is an arid, sandy desert of SO Forbid ng
an aspect and SO full of natural dangers
to human beings on account Of lack OF
water that it has been explored but lit
barren region has a width of more than
LEGO miles from east to west. Surely no
rabbit could ever cross that expanse OF
desert, thought the wise ones. But
gradually the invaders moved onward I'M
til they had populated the vast territory
which had seemed heretofore incapable
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-13

strip of territory to the west. which is
now cut off by a second fence. Is teem-
ing with the progeny of the original fugi-
tives.
The Formulating of Australia by raoolts
is one of the most remarkable spreads or
wild animal plague that the word mas
probably ever known. 1t was in 1sis that
one of the sport-loving British colon'sts
here brought over a pair OF common cot
tontail rabbits from his home country.
AT that time there were no rabbits In
Australia. 1t was his idea that they
would eventually multiply sufficiently to
provide sport and meat for the people OF
the colony He turned the little animals
loose upon his ranch and to his aston ,,sa,
were an uncomfortable pest upon his
own land and that of his neighbors.
About this time rair OF English Mares
which are slightly larger than the com
mon rabbit. were introduced into Aus
tra,ia. and they likewise formed the
nucleus for a rapidly growing plague
The rabbit horde quickly spread from
one locality to another in the eastern
part of Australia, extending from the
southern to the northern limits Of the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-13

in Baltimore harbor to see II the otaEs
and Stripes were still floating over
Fort McHenry, Baltimore's prihcipai
defense against the invading BRUSH
fleet During the first part OF the night
the fleet kept up 4 constant bomparo-
ment, and the Elimpses he causht Oh
the flag when it was lighted by the ex-
ploding shells and glaring rockets OF
the British were proof that the brave
little garrison in the fo-t was success
fully withstanding the attack.
But about 2 O'Clock In the morning
the firing suddenly ceased ana all was
failed or had the fort surrendered!
Key did not know. Only the light OF
the morning could tell. With him was
a companion. and together they an1-
waiting. The long hours passed slow
ly by At length dawn came. Through
the mist they saw the dim outline OF
the Stars and Stripes still waving over
the fort. and later in the morning the
fleet hastily prepared to de3art. So
great was his relief that, in the fervor
of the moment, Key made some brief
notes which he used that night in writ
ing what has since become our natlonai
anthem, THE Star Spansled Banner
when Key gave to his country that
immortal poem, his life both before and
after that memorable day is one filled
with interest. He was born in Fred
erick county, Maryland. August 8, 1878.
and attended school at st. Johns COL
leRe. Annapolis, later studying law In
the office of his uncle. At the age OF
twenty-five he began the practice or
law in Frederick. and the next year
married a sister Of Chief Justice fancy
of the United States Supreme court.
About 1906 he moved to Georgetown,
b. c., and there resumed his law prac-
tice. He lived in a large, beautiful
house overlooking the Potomac river
and the Virginia hills. For nearly
century 1t was known as The Key
Mansion" and remained standing until
a year or two ago.
In 1912 Key enlisted as volunteer
In the American army and served until
the close of the war. Throughout those
troubled days he was a close friend
and trusted adviser of President Madi-
son and the members OF his cabinet.
During the administrations of Presi-
dents jackson and Van Buren, ne was
district attorney for the District Of
Columbia, and while holding this Of
fee conducted many important cases
for the government Probably the
most sensational suit in which he was
involved was the prosecution of the
maniac who attempted to assassinate
President jackson on the steps of the
Capitol during the funeral of a de-
ceased member of Congress.
Though born slave owner. he was
stanch believer In the freedom Of the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-13

but it might naturally be wondered how
he happened to be there. He had gone,
at the request Of friends. to secure the
release of an American citizen by the
mare of DR.. William Resnes. who was
held a prisoner on the British feet. DR.,
Beanes was a resident of Upper MARI
boro. about fifteen miles from Washing
ton. through which the same British force
which was now attacking Baltimore
passed, about three weeks before. on
their way from their fleet which they
h d eft in Chesapeake bay to the car
ital. The citizens of the village treated
the invaders W tn the greatest hnsrita'-
ity. DR.. Beanes throwing open his large
and beautiful house to Gen. Ross and
Admiral Cockburn, the British com
rnanders.
Pa sing from this scene of friendiiness.
no doubt wholly feigned. the British re-
sumed their march. met and defeated the
American army at Bladensburg, and inn
mediate.y entered Washington. setting fire
to most of the public buildings and much
private property. When news of this
ruthless destruction reached Upper Mari
moro. a number of its citizens, under the
leadership of DIR. Beanes. rose in arms.
determined to infiict some injury to the
British on their return to their ships.
Accordingly when the main body of the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-13

their respective governments that are
devoted to coping with these little ami
mails, which are SO ruinous In their
depredations that they may be classified
as vernin II cost the state OF Victoria
alone $4,000 year for the destruc-
ton of rabbits. and some other states
are spending much more than that sum
in this work.
What Is spent by the government Of
Victoria is only a small part Of the total
cost of killing OF the pest The $4,000
is used chiefly in the employment Of
gangs Of men who go about from one
tract of land to another and exterminate
the animals by means of poison. Be-
sides this work, the state government
has distributed more than 10000 miles
of wire netting, which Is supposed to be
rabbitproof. The farmers are required
to protect their lands by the building OF
these closely woven wire fences. The
charge which the government makes Tor
distribution is about $1.62 mile.
The method Of poisoning RABBITS that
Is generally followed consists Of plow-
ing one or more burrows In a field and
dropping therein pieces OF carrots. The
rabbits are said to have a liking for
newly plowed ground. and they are quiz Il
" drawn to the carrots. They are given
feelings on two consecutive nights with
rots. The third night, however, the hits
Of vegetables are charged with deadly
doses Of strychnine. 1t is claimed that
the first two non-poisonous feelings which
any suspicion that they may have had
originally Of the tempting mo- sells, and
they seem to spread the news among
their brethren, and by the time the third
night arrives they collect in g. eat num-
hers and feast upon the poisoned pieces
of carrots. They are killed by thou
sands in this manner.
Not long ago 1880 rabbits were poi
soned on one tract Of 1000 acres of land
In Victoria By the energetic method
adopted b. the verm.n department OF
that state government the rabbit pest Is
practically under control there, except In
some of the remote localities. but in other
states they are still literally overrun-
ming large areas OF the country. Under
the law Of Victoria the vermin depart
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-13

progeny of those that braved the untold
hardships of the sands and heat of the
1.GaO-mile stretch of territory and finally
reached the goal of western Australia
are much smaller than the rabbits or the
eastern part of the county. The habits
of the implanted Dummies have also
changed in many respects. Instead OF
making their burrows beneath the ground.
as is common with the ordinary rabbit
n other countries, those in this land OF
strange things of nature build dirt
sGperstructure above the ground, which
often gives the colonies the, appearance
of prairie dog villages. with the exception
that these rabbit burrows are taller and
more conical in shape
Despite the energetic measures that
are nracticed in xiii ng the animals by
means of poison, whica makes the bod: les ,
Industry is carried on in aughterins
them for market The annual
and other countries of Europe is about
Is "oo, COZ careasses. valued at about about ST.
emnloyed In Killing the animals and ship
ing them to the packing houses. where
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-13

army had parsed through the village, this
lit band made prisoners of several of
the strasg ing TROOPS who had left the
ranks to plunder. One of the prisoners
happened to escape however, and going
at once to the British headquarters he
told of what had taken pace. Gen. Ross
was greatly incensed. and ordered Dr.
Beanes to be seized at once. A number OF
soldiers returned to the village on horse
back about midnight. went to the doc
tors home. and finding him in bed, COM
PEELED him to dress hastily and go with
them to their camp.
The next day the doctors seizure was
quickly make known throughout the viii
lage and the surrounding country. His
genial nature and hospitable spirit had
won for him manay friends, some of
whom began without delay to lay plans
to secure his release. About noon a
small number went to the British head
quarters and asked that the prisoner
might be permitted to return home. Not
only were they promptly refused, but
were told that he would be taken on
board the fleet
How to rescue him was a serious ques-
ton. One of their number Mr.. West,
was we'll acquainted with Francis Scott
Key of Georgetown, and it beng known
that Key was an intimate friend OF both
DR.. Beanes and Pres dent Madison, it
was decided that Mr.. West should go at
once to Key and ask him to lay the mat
ter before the President, obta mig per-
mission, if possible, to board the British
fleet.
and promis ed. if successful with the
President, to undertake the mission HIM
self. The President not only promptly
gave his permi sion, but offered Key a
government vessel and the services of an
army officer for the undertaking.
Preparations were immed .ately made
for the expedition September = Key
wrote the fo,owing to his mother:
am going in the morning to faltim"re to
proceed in a flag vessel TO G n. Ro s. Cd r.
Beanes of Marlboro is ia en- prisoner s ny o E
his friends have urged me TO apply for a:
to go and try to procure his r'ieasr ! 20 e g
return in about eight or ten days. though II rs
uncertain, as l do not know where to und e
beet.
On the morning of September Key
left his home in Georgetown for Bal
,imore, and three days later, accom-
army officer detailed by the President,
he set sail down the Chesapeake bay
in search of the fleet
After voyage of several days Key
and Skinner found the fleet at the
mouth of the Potomac river and i'm
mediately boarded Admiral Cockburn's
flagship They We're very cordially re-
ceived by both the admiral and Gen.
Ross. but when they made known their
mission they We're so coldly treated
that they feared their purpose would
fail.
The British officers spoke of the doc
tor in harsh terms. saying that he de-
served more cruel treatment than he
had been given. But Key set forth the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-13

Francis Scott Key,
Only Thirty Five
Years Of Age, Gave to
His Country the I'M
mortal Poem The
Life of Key-How
the Song Came to Be
Written-Its First
Publication How
Key Happened to Be
in the Baltimore Har-
Dor When Britis h
Shelled Fort M c.
Henry.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-13

character and good standing of the
unfortunate prisoner at great length
and Skinner presented some letters
from the wounded British soldiers, who
had been left at Bladensburg, praising
the Americans in high terms for the
kind treatment they were receiving.
These lettecs moved Gen. Ross. who at
length said that on the strength of
them, but for no other reason, would
he permit the doctor to be released,
but that neither the doctor nor any
one else would be permitted to leave
the fleet until after the attack on Bal
timore, which the British were then
planning to make. However, both Key
and Skinner We're assured that they
would be made as comfortable as pos
sible. On the day after theft arrival
they were invited to dine with Ad-
miTal Cockburn. and although under
constant guard, they were well treat
ed. Owing to the crowded condition
on the admirars flagship. however,
they were soon transferred to the
frigate Surprise. where they remained
Until just before the bombardment
On the way to Baltimore Key was per-
m.tted to see DR.. Beanes. He was in
the forward part of the admiraPs flag
ship. among the soldiers and sailors.
He had not had a change of clothing
since his seizure and was treated with
great disrespect and indignity. He
seemed to be regarded. not as a pris-
oner of war, but as one who had de-
ceived. and broken faith with the
British
On The afternoon of Sunday. septem-
Der IL, 1914, news of the approaching
British fleet reached Baltimore. 1t
was made known to the citizens by fir
ing three cannon from the courthouse
yard. The city was thrown into in
tense excitement. The churches were
holding services, but the congrega-
tons were quickly dismissed, the wom-
en- and children to seek places of safe
tE the men and boys to shoulder mus
kets in the defense of their homes and
their country: The cits's batteries and
intrenchments We're all strongly man
ned and much valuable property was
rushed to places of safety. A nara
tor of that time thus speaks of the
terrified citizens:
The prospect to which they, looked forward
was indeed gioomy-to the sai'or, inpress4ert
and letters: to the soldier, Il zen, tie pr. /
ship; TO the ut. con isca ioa and ruin to
the h4nse owner, tie torch OF the ineend arr.
hearts. The soldier-citizens of Baltimore on
that gloomy Sunday babe fearful adieu to
their wives and caidren. pat on the arn. So OF
bate and went forth to meet the insolent In
yader.
In the meantime, Sunday evening,
the feet anchored off North point,
about twelve miles from Baltimore,
and by Z o'clock the next morning
1000 British troops had disembarked to
attack the city by land. The fleet then
proceeded up the Patapsco river to
make a simultaneous attack by water.
Their plans were carefully laid.
But the inglorious battle of B1adens-
burg was not to be repeated. An
American force of about 1900 men
marched from Baltimore to meet the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-13

THROUGHOUT the
dreary hours Of
the dark. rainy
night of Tuesday.
s e pit e m b 9 r ID.
1914 j u 8 t on e
hundred years ago
I o d ay - Francis
Scott Key an1-
iously w a I c n e d
from the deck OF
a SIN all v e 8 8 ell
which was lying