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

day prevail" It was beautiful to sec. too, how he thought his part unimport- ant compared with the deep interest and determination of his friend Mrs, Ma poleoi- Lockett, that & proper and abso- lutely satisfactory flag should be made for the congressional flag committee.
 VISIT TO MARION
 Latch on I went to N rion, Ala. at an invitation from my cousi4, Mir. Allie Arm- strong, that l might visit the old haunts about the interesting little town, where the romantic story of the flag began. Did the people there still remember? should say they did, and they laughed at the thought of another's claiming the honor due Mr Marsehail and Mrs. Lock- ett and would smilngly say that the other man put in his claim too late. And in Montgomery? Soon after the flag epi- sode in Washington, I met in company with a friend, that veteran editor and great Confederate soldier, Maj. Wallace Screws. | asked him offhand who de- signed our first flag. His answer was prompt and ringing, Nicola alarschall, at the request of Mrs. Lockett," and he tod the same story I later heard from the M&rschalls. He didn't seem to think tie peorle would believe the recent Smith claim. but he deplored the fact that so many important papers were burned ana
 
 story Countless others in Montgomery tol the same facts for Marschall and Mrs. Locltett So much for the unirn- poi1ant reason of my own connection with proving the true origin of the Con federate flag. Now, what have 1 found o9r about the Smith claim?
 The dates show that MT. Smith did not publicly make his claim to having designed the Stars and Bars until Sep tentber, 19l0 only six years ago and 49 years after the designing of the flag. We are told that the first hint his fam fly had of his connection with the flag, was when this old man was in his eight ieth year. He had serious Illness in which his mind was involved and in his delirium he said he had designed the Confederate flag. Alter his illness nfs family questioned him concerning this statement, and he told the story he re- lated in 1910. We are told by Mr Smiths own friends that even in his youth he vas of a most imaginative turn. It does seem to mo and to others astonishing that so much credence should be given to ts story built upon the rayngg of sick man over 80 years old dS years after the events, when for at least Z years the people. all in their right minds and con- versant with the then facts. and in the state where the flag was conceived and raised. had rested on the knowledge that 1t had been designed by a noted artist at the request of a noted -Alaba ma wosn- an closely connected with the Confederate Congress. But this is Mir. Orris R. Smiths hown story is years after the raising of the flag in Montgomery, Ala, March 4, 1861:
 MIR. SMITHS STORY
 Three times have 1 been a soldier at my countrys call, twice fighting under the Stars and Stripes and once under the Stars and Bars While with Taylor, south of the Rio Grande, unit in that proud army that never let an enemy touch our flag in Utah with Albert Sid- ney Johnston, 1357-5s, l learned what the flag meant to the men who were willing to give their lives for Old Glory every day and every hour in the day sol dier's flag must be his inspiration, it stands for home, kindred and country; it must be something more than a piece of bunting or the blending of bright col ors.
 When at Sumter the shot was fired that was heard around the world, realized that a new country had been made and that the new nation must have a new flag of the deepest, truest signifi- canoe, to lead the men in gray against the greatest odds and through the great est difficulties that any soldiers have overcome since the world was made.