Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-13
FRANCIS SCOTT kay
H0NORED At HOME
Former Dwelling in Washing
ton, Still Standing, Scene
Of Exercises.
HELD UNDER AUSPICES
OF DISTRICT D. A. R.
Addresses Made by Mrs. F. F
Greenawalt and Col. F. C. Bryan.
Flag Raised as Bugle Sounds.

Business was suspended on NJ street. in
Georgetown, yesterday afternoon. this
side of the Aqueduct bridge when al
80 O'Clock began commemoration exer-
cises in celebration of the Tooth ami
versary of the writing of 1.-The Star Span
gled Banner
The exercises We're held in front CT the
building that was once the home OF
Francis Scott Key. They We're under
the auspices of the District Daughters Of
the American Revolution, with Mrs.
Frank Foster Greenawalt District regent,
presiding.
While street cars went by, as usual.
under cold and dull sky the group OF
Washingtonians gathered i'm front or the
site of the old Key mansion recalled IN
spirit the author of the Song that has
cheered and inspired the heart Of a ma
ton for 100 years.
Flag Raised Over Home.
Addresses were made by Mrs. Greena-
walt and Col. Frederick c. Bryan. presi-
dent of the District of Columbia Society.
Sons of the American Revolution. Fol-
lowing the addresses an American flag,
the District Daughters was unfurled
from the building now occupying the
site of the old mansion.
Mrs. Mary Key McBlair, grand,
daughter of Francis Scott Key, raised
the flag A bugler played THE Star
Spaneled Banner
with. the exception Of his burial place
said Mrs. Greenawalt, who was intro
duced by Mrs. Horace P. Mcintosh, DIS
trict chaplain, after the invocation by
Rev. John T. Huddle, this spot appeals
to us as being the most hailowed asso-
ciated with the memory of Francis Scout
Key. This was his home, where most OF
his life was spent-all of his happy mar
ried life. For it was here he brought his
Young bride in 1902. All OF his children
were born here.
The old colonial mansion has been
changed. From where we stand today
not a trace of its former architectural
beauty is visible. But, entering the
building. we discover that the orlslnai
walls are standing containing the old
colonial windows.
"The foundation walls are the same
In the basement, which was the family
dining ROOM we find the original par
titions. windows and doorways. And
here, stored away, is the original CO.
lonial stairway. Surely there is enough
left of the old home, the spirit OF the
past, to hallow US here"
Preparedness Is Urged.
Col. Bryan, after relating the history
of the writing of the national anthem,
asked what lesson could be drawn from
the story.
1--WE must be prepared" he answered.
"It will never do for US to rest the
prosperity of our country on the prom
ises of any other nation. Only those
nations that can protect themselves are
safe. In all our other wars we have
not been prepared.
I'VE must learn the lesson of prepar-
edness. The nation that controls the
seas is safe from almost any attack.
AS long as our navy is strong We need
have no fear Of foreign invasion"
Assisting at the ceremony was de-
tachment Of Boy Scouts from Troop 81,
under Scoutmaster Edwin L. Masch-
meyer. Sergt. Fred Hess. Of the Engi-
neers' Band, Washington barracks. rem
dered appropriate selections on the
bugle.
Mrs Greenawalt. the state regent.
was chairman of the committee on ar
engagements. The committee in charge
of the meeting also included Mrs. H. P.
Mcintosh. Mrs. J. Edwin Briggs, Mrs.
Maude Ethel and Mrs. Francis NJ.
Gregory.