West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-05-14

Centennial to be Held In Baltimore
This Yssr-Thousands will be- Pres
ent TO Assist In Patriotic Celebration
Begins Sunday, September 9th

One hundred years ago when the British
were on their way to Washington, three
OF the banks OF Alexandria, Va, offered
TO loan the government $50, 900 for the
construction OF more defenses for the
District. The money was accepted, but
nothing was done at Fort Washington,
twelve miles down the Potomac on the
Maryland side. In the war OF 1912 the
stirring events in Virginia and in Mary
land occurred in 1914. From the first,
Virginia was heartily in favor of the con-
flict and contributed men, money and
measures towards it, success 1t 10 deeply
interested in the Centennial which Balti-
more will hold next September. The
date of this celebration is set for the bat
tie of North Point and the bombardment
OF Fort McHenry, in which Virginia
troops took part. The popular result of
those stirring days was the birth of the
Star-Spangled Banner, which, by execu-
tive order, has become the national an
them in both army and navy.
Francis Scott Key, who wrote this lyric.
was seeking to obtain the release OF his
friend and was on a British ship. He
was detained during the bombardment
| and the anthem was the inspiration of
his experience. When daylight appeared
he saw the flag was still flying over the
Fort and wrote the lines on the backs OF
| old envelopes. The song became imme-
diately successful, and so it has con-
| tinued through the wears until it is known
| as the American anthem.
Baltimore's celebration will comprise a
week, beginning Sunday, September 9th,
and ending the following Sunday. On
the first Sunday there will be patriotic
services in the churches and musical
festival in Druid Hill Park. Monday
will be a day Of welcome to distinguished
visitors, for the unwilling of tablets by
patriotic societies and the arrival of the
ship Constellation. and the fleet which
the navy has promised to send, with a
general illumination of the city in the
evening and band concerts i'm every part
OF the city. Tuesday will be Industrial
| Day, with parade and the illumination
OF the city in the evening. On Wednes-
day, fraternal orders will hold their pro-
cession, and they are expected to make
the greatest demonstration in their his
tory. Thursday will be the municipal
and athletic day, with parades and con-
tests, and in the evening there will be the
most gorgeous historical floats ever wit.
messed in America. Friday will De given
to the military parade of the army and
navy and the national guardsmen. Vir
ginia has offered to send some of its bes
troops. This will be followed by a ban
quet to the President of the United State,
and his cabinet, to the governors of tin,
different States and to the visiting officer
of the militia and of the navy. With i
all will be an illumination of the city
On Saturday will come the climax-"Th,
Star-Spangled Banner" day. The fla,
will be escorted through the city to For
McIienrY, and the escort will consist O
the President OF the United States, TIN,
governors of the different states, distin
guished and specially invited guests anc
troops from the eighteen states tina
formed the union when the national an
them was written. President Wilson viii
make an address and the anthem will h,
sung by a human flag formed by TIN,
school children of Baltimore. Sunday
which closes the week, will be devoted
to peace.
1t is expected that at least 100, 900 visi
tors will attend the exercises. Specia
rates will be made upon the railroads an,
steamboat lines.