The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-16

scented to so many, and by the presenta- ton of many beautiful silk flags to vari- Ous organizations.
 Further, because l could not bring myself to believe that a great truth of history could be decided by d small com mittee of three individuals. 1 told Miss Smith that I was perfectly willing that her story for her father and my story for Mir Marschall should be placed side by side and the public be permitted tu judge for itself; but 1 did not believe it fair to let q small committee. some of whom [ feared were already biased on her side, to make so important decision, snd lastly because ] had not yet re- ceved all the proof promised me Thus the matter rested until the Florida re- union in 1914. By the purest accident found that committee of veterans were about to decide that Mai Orrin R. Smith was the designer Of the Confederate flag. Notifying the historian of the Ala hama division, United Daughters of the Confectionery. Mrs. Townes Randolph Leigh. who had assisted me in my re- search, she and 1 with two Alabama vet , orans. Gen. J. Plowman and Gen. D. H.. Scott, went before the committee and asked postponement of the decision until Iall parties could present their proof Miss Smith opposed postponement and begged for immediate action. After much discussion the motion to postpone pre- vailed. The proofs l had already were sufficient to my own mind I believe then as firmly as l know now that Nicola Marschall designed the flag just in the manner he has described, but to make assurance doubly sure, I made a trip to Louisville, Ky, the present home of Mir. Marschall, to see him and to judge for myself
 EMARk ABLE OLD MAN
 Although then over 80 years old, found him still remarkable old man, a cul tured gentleman. His eyes were bright and piercing and true, his bearing erect and manly, and his mind still clear as a nell regarding the designing of the flag, end the story he told then was the same he and his friends had told almost 10 years before.
 He had retired from his lifes work. the brush with which he wrought much of beauty and of worth had been laid aside except in rare moments and he was now living in love and rest among his children, living over again the old days of his well spent life. I found the wife of his youth much younger than himself, charming and most interesting woman. A native Alabamian, related to the first and most gifted families in Alabama and the south, she recalled as but yesterday the old days in Marion, and how and Why Mir Marsehall sketched the flags. It was through her that l learned why it was that I felt I had all my life known Mi cola Marschall to be the designer of the Stars and Bars. My own father as young man had taught in the Marion seminary as did MT. Marschall, and my uncle James King Armstrong, was before and at the beginning of the war president of this historic female college. How often in life are we reminded of these strange happenings, like ships that pass in the night"
 While I knew all these things and had heard my father talk casually of the fact that Marschall designed the flag, yet not being then deeply interested, I failed, as we are now failing every day, to get im- portant facts.
 Mrs. Marschall then explained to me why they had not placed more vigorously Mir Marschalls claim. He could not be- leVe that after he had made his state- ment of the facts that anybody i'll the south would for moment doubt then he didn't think anything else necessary.
 Then when different papers would get seemingly unimportant facts wrong and mixed and make him say things he hadn't said, and the opposition would seize on them, he said: What does it all matter, anyway? Why keep ourselves in constant excitement and worry? The truth will one