davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-04
A Few Pointed Remarks on the
Subject of "Oid Lumber"

"Of course" said Mrs. Van Rensse-
laer the other afternoon in her home,
in East Ninety-ffth Street, II was nat
urally interested in the Marie Antol-
nette chair, as it was for time IN the
possession of my grandfather, William
Alexander Duer, who was close friend
of Gouverneur Morris. Ny grandfather
had the mate to this chair, and there 1t
is now" She pointed to beautiful
specimen of French cabinet work OF the
period, decorated in gold and old ivory,
and artistically upholstered in silk tap
estry "That is one of the most cher
ished things in my house"
And she has a house filled with rare
furniture, pictures and souvenirs from
manv lands and with many histories.
Naturally I wondered" she contin-
ued. "why this chair of Marie Antol-
nette which was owned by such distin-
guished New York gentleman as Gou-
verneur Morris was not considered
worthy of a place of honor in the rooms
Of the New York Historical Society, but
was put away with old lumber in the
basement.
But speaking of old lumber-that
reminds me of the flagstaff OF Fort
Sumter. It was presented to my father
Archibald Oracle King, by Rear Ad-
miral Dahlgren, and my father gave 1t
TO the Historical Society in 1897. When
| asked at the society rooms what had
become of the flagstaff was told 1t also
was down in the basement. On, they
nave a large cellar over there! nave
been somewhat alarmed as to the fate
Of that flagstaff Perhaps 1t has oecn
chopped up for kindling wood. you
know this is the identical Flagstaff on
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-04

to pay all the expenses it would be
opened and the contents classified"
Mrs. Van Rensselaer, paused for a
moment. She looked about her in her
cosey workshop on the second floor Of
her home. She sat before wood fire IN
an old Franklin stove fitted into the fire
place. The embers cast light upon her
face, bringing out in strong relief
against the falling shadows of the dusk
the regular features, the distinctive
lines of character and refinement and
the snow-white hair. The open fire
place, the flare of the flames, the antique
furniture made Colonial setting. And
there amid it all sat-with only brief
stretch of the imagination-a Colonial
dame.
In these surroundings she does her
literary work. Here she writes her
books and magazine articles. She has
written number of books, among them
Crochet Lace" THE Devils Picture
Books a history of playing-cards.
Ivan Rensselaers of the Manor" The
Goede Vrouw of Mana-ha-ta,' New
Workers of the 18th Century History
of Newport" and "Nonesuch Euchte
and Other Games" Here she has her
histories and here she checks up the his
tory of the Historical Society.
Back of her on the side of the House
of King and on the side of the House of
Duer-for her descent is along both lines
are families reaching further than
the days of Lexington and the signing
of the Declaration of independence.
Mrs. Van Rensselaer's father was
4 4 L
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-04
Not Lack of Space. OuOfh the
Critic. but Lack of Appreciation

The original act of incorporation of
the Historical Society reads
Whereas, the persons hereinafter
named, and others, have formed them
selves into an association under the
name of The New York Historical So
ciety,' for the purpose of discovering,
procuring, and preserving whatever
may relate to the natural, civil, literary.
and ecclesiastical history of the United
States in general, and of this state in
particular, and have presented a petit
ton to the Legislature to be incorpor-
ated, and that thereby such, the purpose
and design of the said society, may be
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-04

y - 49, - - - -
King. His grand
mother was Mrs.
Archibold Oracle,
who was descended
from Eliz a b e { h
Fitch, daughter of
Colonial Governor
Thomas Fitch of
Connecticut.
ut was Governor
Fitch" said Mrs.
V a n Rensselaer,,
who stuck the
feather in the cap
of Colonel Thomas
Fitch, brother of
Elizabeth + it c h
and called it Ma
caronie.' This was
in 1853. Colonel
Fitch was marching
with his troops to
the Colonial Wars
against the French
and Indians, and
from this incident
DR.. S chuck burg
wrote the famous
song. Y a n k e e
Doodle
Mrs. Van Rens-
selaer stirred the
logs in the fire and
the flames mounted
higher.
1T is not mere
captious criticism
that leads me to find
fault with the New
York Historical So
ciety," she said, Il
am entirely moved
by a spirit of re
form. | want to see
the Historical So
ciety live up to its
original motive. L
have a right to
make these crit
cisms as I am a life
member of the or
ganization. | was
made a life mem
Der in 1898 by my
uncle, John Alsop
King, W h o W as
president of the So
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-04
FOREW0RD


Neat Tuesday eve1aiag IN
the Ne11 YORK. Historical IS
Society-unlesS scheduled -
Wents 90 dWry-CW hold A
the most ercitjng meeting
since the organization 1rUS
founded in 1904.
A roman 1CiU furnish the excitement.
NoW, the officers and the eTecut'ce
committee of the New York HlStor1-
cal Societg are not easily eTcited, mas
much as they are Uery seddte and cery
dignifed gentlemen. For more tho"
one hundred and tICelUe years these
gentlemen, or other gentlemen 1cho, M
respect to dignity and high social
status, 1cere their counterpdrtS, hare
been holding meetings quietly and M
perturbably. The most exciting themes
discussed by then1-Or their counter
parts Of years gone blt-ir the last cen
turv and more hare been annual dues,
eprent expenses and incomes, 1ctth oc-
eusionaL Intersections Of sersGtiondt'sm
in the ray Of profered gifts, such as
Washinqton's camp bed or one OF the
mann chairs he occupied during his first
Inauguration ceremony.
Since that first meeting Of the society,"
nkich lcas attended by De Witt Clinton,
Anthony BLeecker, Samuel Boydrd ana
Peter G. StuyUeSant, and subsequent
meetings attended By other d'st'n-
guished gentlemen whO had streets
named after them, no such thrill as IS
promised for merit Tuesday eUen'ng has
been on the boards.
And the lady IN the case?
All, ves. Mrs. John King Van Rensse-
Ider, who, herself, belongs to q d'St'''-
gHisked Knickerbocker family looming
large IN the affairs Of the Uery d'gn1ted
and proper New York Historical So
estg.
OF course, you remember all about
the stort Of IT. There 10ds O Uery d1gn'-
fsdsession, Gs usual, at the last meeting
Of the society, 10hen--to use a phrase
popular NTH descriptive l0riters Of the
Colonial period-Iike q bolt from the
bIas, Mrs. Van Rensselaer, thre'0 mana
grenade into the Family Dress Circle.
she said: 81 hear on all sides that the
society is dead. Instead Of an
Imposing edifce filed NTH treasures
nom old Ne1o York, 1Chat do ne tlndE
Onlg deformed n1onstrositB ftled 1clth
'ariosities, Ill arranged and badly as
srted."
Even sOciety which, metdphorlcdHy
spsdktng, hds not fltcked an eyebrow for
mere hundred years couldn't stand
mat. 90 merit TuesdGy spectdlty dp-
pointed committee 1oM make q report
~ this specially spectacular session.
And Nrs. John King Van RensseIGerI
Sk'u be therei
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-04

the society, was discovered to be on fire.
The prompt exertions of the inmates OF
the building. and of the firemen who as
sembled as soon as the alarm was given,
saved the library and collections Of the
society. During the excitement caused
by the fire, the presidents chair was
thrown from the window and broken.
This chair was purchased by Mr.. Gou-
verneur Morris when Minister TO
France, at sale of the contents Of the
Versailles"
But where is the chair now?' was
the query.
1T was mended and is now in the
storage room in the basement" replied
the librarian.
"And how about the flagstaff Of Fort
SUMTER"
"Oh, that's in the basement, too"
Mrs. Van Rensselaer, says you have
very large cellar"
1--WE have. But, you see, there are so
many things here that we have not room
for them all. Some of them have to 20
in storage. 1t is simply case of the
survival of the fittest."
May see the Marie Antoinette
chair"
Certainly"
"And the flagstaff Of Fort Sumter on
which foated the Confederate flag"
Certainly"
The librarian could not find the chair,
so a porter was called in and ne located
it with lot of other material. 1t was a
duplicate of the chair in Mrs. Van Rens-
selaer's drawing room, only the tapestry
was in tatters and saturated with dust.
The identification card was thrust in
slit in the tapestry at the back and fell
out when the chair was removed from
its hiding place.
The librarian had given orders and
the porter brought out a long pole that
was leaning against the wall.
THAT is the flagstaff Of Fort Sum-
ter" said the librarian.
"And the trunkful of letters, includ-
ing many from Lafayette?" asked the
visitor.
81 don't know of any trunkful OF
Lafayette letters" said The librarian.
"If there are any they are on file"
And then the procession moved up
ward without further exploration. In
the meantime the members OF the His
torical Society are awaiting next Tues
dav with bated breath.
And Mrs. John King Van Rensselaer,
She'll be there.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-04
Under Mayor Goldberg, the City
Flag VIII Be Hung Right

Il want them to see things that ap-
pertain to the history of the city and to
the history of the nation. SO anxious
am to have them get the right idea Of
history that | say to Irving Goldberg,
who is very bright: Now, Irving, when
you are Mayor of the City of New York
| want you to promise me you will do
one thing And firm in the belief that
he aCiU be Mayor of the City Of New
York, Irving is all attention. 1 want
you to promise | say that you will
hang the flag of the City of New York
right side up and not sidewise as the
city authorities hang it at present. And
Irving promptly answers: Yes, nam,
will
And then l explain to the children
that the motto Orange Bowen means
orange above, but that instead Of plac-
ing the colors of the flag with the
orange on top, the white next and the
blue underneath, the flag faunts from
the City Hall with the orange to the
left. the white next and the blue to the
right. Of course they know that the
reason for placing the orange above is
due to the Prince of Orange, who came
from the south of France, and when he
Joined his color with the Dutch flag of
blue and white, he wanted to see the
orange above"
a maid entered.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-04
| CHAIR A FLAGSTAFF, A WOMAN AND A ROW
MARIE ANTOINETTE CHAIR

MARIE ANTOINETTE CHAIR
In the storage room of the New
York Historical Society with a
card bearing this inscription:
This chair was part OF the fur
niture of the Palace OF YER
saiIles in the apartments of the
unfortunate Marie Antoinette,
Queen of France. Ii was pur-
chased by Gouverneur Morris,
when United States Minister TO
France and presented by his
widow May 9, 1917. This chair
was used by Presidents of the
Society, Lafayette occupying il
in 1924"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-04
OLD DUTCH CHAIR

Which belonged to DIR. HahnS kier-
stede who wrote the first presorip-
ton in Nieu Amsterdam. IL is owned
by Mrs. John King Van Rensselaer,
who says she would present il to the
New York Historical Society if she
were quite sure il would not be placed
in the cold storage plant in the base
ment.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-04
DILAPIDATED chair caused the
explosion. The chair is in the

a DILAPIDATED chair caused the
~ explosion. The chair is in the
Il storage room in the basement
of the New York Historical Society, and
the fact that it is down there out OF
sight, but not out of mind, started all
the trouble You see, this particu-
lar chair was in the apartments of
Marie Antoinette, in the Palace Of YER
sailles. 1t was purchased by Gouver-
neur Morris when he was United States
Minister to France, and was presented
to the society in the name of his widow
in 1917. One day Mrs. John King Van
Rensselaer, asked to see this chair. She
was told it was in the basement.
This led to other queries. She ex-
pressed a desire to see the flagstaff OF
Fort Sumter, also presented to the So
cietv. That, too, was in the basement.
And so it came about that Mrs. Van
Rensselaer, attended the meeting of the
Historical Society to prove to it by its
own testimony that it is dead and ought
to be buried.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-04

the more 1ecLudlly
subserved and pro-
noted"
Mrs. Van Rensse-
laer continued:
when you ask
them at the Histori-
cal Society where
this i'm port a n t
thing or that impor-
tant thing may be,
Just as likely as not
they will tell you it
is in cold storage,
and if you act at all
surprised they will
inform you that it
is not on exhibition
because of the lack
of room. Now, |
maintain that the
whole difficulty is
not a lack of space,
but a lack of appre-
citation. Also it is a
pure case of bad
housekeeping. A
good housekeeper
and a good histori-
an could change the
whole situation over
there.
81 have been told
that a trunkful of
old letters of histor-
ical value-many of
them from Lafay-
ette-was present
ed to the society and
that an inquiry in
regard to t h e m
failed to receive any
satisfactory reply. |
am informed that
the gentleman MAX
ing the inquiry was
persistent, saying
they had been de-
posted there, and
was then told to Cal!
again in a week.
When he called the
next time he was
told that such a
trunk was there,
but that it never
had been opened.
and if any one cared
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-04
Mrs. John King Van Rensselaer, Not Impressed av the Ne0
York Historical Soces Sense of Appreciation The Soeys Cellar,
She Believes Is No Fit Place for the Flagstaff of Fort SUMTER
Chair from the Palace of Marie Anone An Historical Society,
She Thinks Should Be Interested in History. Tuesday Will Tell

ciety in lS87-l9OO | am interested in history. The
work of the City History Club occupies considerable OF
my attention. have many of the children come here
and we all study history together We have small
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-04

ters in history and we go over the
various scenes here in my home. Now.
naturally want these little members Of
the City History Club when they go to
the New York Historical Society to get
the right ideas of the history of the city.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-04

Neat Tuesday eve1aiag
the Ne10 York Historical
Society-unles8 scheduled
vents 90 dCry-1CiU hold
the most erciting meeting
since the organization lrUS
The Washington herald., 1917-07-16
HAL-TWELVE REPEATS
RECORD-BREAKINGRUN
Duplicates Baltimore Trip of Forty
FIVE Minutes from District Line.

A Hal twelve-cylinder touring car,
driven by c.. Mygind. general man.
ager of the Jennings Motor Sales
Corporation, and carrying two OBJ
servers. covered the road from the
Washington District line to Baltimore
in something like IS minutes on two
occasions last week.
Still more remarkable is the fact
that this car. although using the
maximum burning of gas during the
run, consumed but three and one
half gallons in making the trip. After
making the first trial last Friday Mr..
Mygind duplicated the run in order
to convince some doubling Thomases
that his car would really do what he
claimed for II.
Mr.. Mygind Is enthusiastic over this
showing AMI says that he can make
the trip on far less gas IL he did not
cndeavor TO make II in good time.
Commenting on the results of many
tests that have been carried on by
makers of other cars recently the
Hal twelve man says, IL Is easy TO
get mileage out OF a gallon of gas II
the minimum is used and advantage
taken of every opportunity to coast
and cut on the gas supply. The local
man does not think this a fair test
and would rather have his cars make
their records at a fair rate of speed.
instead Of drifting along.
The Washington herald., 1917-07-16
tOCALPASTOR FROWNS
ON HASTY MARRIAGES
Baptist Minister Warns iris Against
Matrimonial Pitfalls.

THE high cost of loving is meas
red in unhappy. mis- mated and hasty
marriages." said Rev. Howard l.
Steward. pastor OF the Second Bap-
tist Church Fourth street and Vr-
ziIia avenue southeast, in a talk 20
his congregation last night.
Girls don't marry the man who
is shiftless who goes around with
that hang-log I-don't-care look" tho
pastor warned. THE man that has
to be reformed is a bad bet. Steer
clear OF him And fight shy of the
sIingy man the man who on your
wedding day promised to endow yoI
with all his worldly goods and then
wants to bite quarter in half after
he's your husband"
The pastor Concluded by telling what
kind of a man to choose. According
TO Rev. Stewe. d's views he should
be conscientious energctis and home
loving.
The evenings services ended with
an appeal for converts. Two an
Ewered
The Washington herald., 1917-07-16
THROWN FROM BUS,
Child IS BADLY HURT
Alice Parker in Critical Condition
as Result of Accident.

Flung from her mothers lap when
the NOTORIOUS in which they were rid
ing suddenly swerved about curve
while en- route to the city from Leon
ardtown, Nd, 2-year-old Alice Par
ker last night hovered between life
and death as a result of injuries re-
caived when she was thrown to the
road
When the child vas first piCSed up
her head was found to be bleeding
severely and her knees seriously 20
jurei She was Immediately placed
in a passing automobile and rushed
TO Brandywii where she was gwen
frst-aid treatment.
ReaIizinE the criticalness of ths lit
tie girls cJn'hJOn she was again oUh-
died into another motor car and rush
ed into the city where the party was
met by DR.. lie Comte. the ParkeTS
family physician. DR.. lie Comte stat
Cd late last night that he would not
know until today whether the child
would survive.
Mrs. Parker was sitting on an end
seat in the NOTORIOUS holding her
daughter on her lap wren the accident
occurred. 1t Is said that the bus was
trrvcIing at a high rate of speed.
Tho injured girl is the daughter Of
Frederick Parker proprietor of the
PcI lection Printing Company.
The Washington herald., 1917-07-16
Chalk Marks Guide
Londoners at Night

Atlantic City. July 15.-Londoners are
using white chalk marks to guide them
on their way after dark. according to
Cecil Leigh. son of Edgar Leigh, the
noted English theatrical manager and
dramatist, who is staying at the
Breakers
"SearchIights are to be seen In tn.
sky now all night long" said Mr..
leigh. zone can see the cleaning
shafts of light protruding from the
tops of most of the prominent build-
insr, but below. all is darkness. Chalk
marks alone serve to indicate the d.
rection one should take. Automobiles.
tram cars, taxicabs and motor busses
are strictly censored as to lights.
Every light in town. in fact, Is mug
zlod, globes being strictly lacquered
deep red or blue in order to throw
absolutely no gleam ahead of them.
On the Fourth of July, for the first
time in the history of London, the
American flag was raised above the
houses of Parliament, sight never to
be forgotten.
The Washington herald., 1917-07-16
SAYING in DELIVERY
PLANNED BY women
Meeting on Friday Will Discuss Re
tail Store Problem.

A plan for elimination of waste in
delivery service will be discussed at
meeting of the National American
Woman Suffrage Association. at suf-
= -. ...sI ters. 1926 Rhode Island
Ivenue, next Friday evening at s
o'clock.
Present prices, except In a few
Itores or chain of stores. include cost
" delivery, which is estimated vari-
pusly from to 10 per cent Of the
otal cost. Customers who carry
heir own bundles are therefore pay
ng for a service which they do not
ret, say members of the association
which is sponsor for the movement.
The commercial economy board of
ne association proposes to recon-
mend a plan that will presumably fol-
ow one OF two general principles:
/. A discount to the customer on
zach purchase carried home or re-
nrned in person for exchange.
2 A lower level Of prices, to go
nto effect at once. with an extra
iharge for delivery service.
The Washington herald., 1917-07-16
CRAP game DISPUTE
ENDS IN MURDER
Samuel Sewell, Colored. Shot to
Death-Woman Wounded.

In a free-for-all fight last night over
a dispute raised on bet in a craps
game at 325 Syphax court, southwest,
Samuel SeweT, alias Babe" Sewell,
colored, S5 years old, employed in the
service of public buildings and
grounds, was shot and instantly killed,
the police allege, by William Jackson,
colored, alias Jack Rags" Sarah
Williams, alias Martha Hill, was shot
in the leg. She is at the Emergency
Hospital.
Sewell was shot In the chest and
head. The police say that when the
dispute arose the Williams woman
went to her home nearby, returning
with a revolver for her common law
husband, William Bird, one of the
players. The shooting. the police say,
was started when the woman drew
the gun from her waist.
Jackson is under arrest. Coroner
hewitt will hold an inquest today.
The Washington herald., 1917-07-16
SUGGESTS NATIONAL
BOARD OF BUYERS
WaddilI Catchinss Says CentralP
chasing Body Is Needed.

waddnl Catehings, chairman or
committee OF the Chamber of Com
merce Of the United States, yesterday
urged the lack Of Capitalization In our
buying food control and exports coun-
ell as one Of the great defects In our
preparations for the war. He urges
THAT a central body. like the Coun-
ell Of National Defense. be given legal
power to handle all these correlated
matters
The Council Of Defense. he says, was
developed in time Of peace. and while
IL has undoubtedly rendered yeoman
service, II is without official power TO
compel action. He warmly defends
the council against the charges made
in Congress that some OF the members
Of the advisory board have taken part
in the award Of contracts in which
their firms or business associates have
been interested.
among the clearly defined prob
lens confronting Washington, none
Is so important as the need for some
board Of national defense or war
board, which can reach decisions on
the many problems other than mill
tary problems, settle differences OF
Judgment, stop debate and take de-
cisiye action-a board, which can for
unulate general plans and undertake
the solution Of problems affecting all
branches of the Government involved
in the war-a board which can re-
ceive and carry out instructions from
the President and the Cabinet and
coordinate all efforts toward procur-
ing materials and supplies for the
war" said Mr.. Catchings.
As proof OF the necessity for such
concentrated authority as he suggests,
Mr.. Catchings cites the controversy
over coal prices, and the delay caused
by failure to arrive at proper price
for steel.
The Washington herald., 1917-07-16
CALLS BILLY SUNDAY
BEST Since ST. PAUL
Pastor Announces Revival by Evan
ssIist Here Next January.

Billy Sunday, the noted evangelist,
will hold revival meetings in the Capt.
tai during the coming months of jan
uary and February.
This was announced by the Rev.
Lucius C. Clark, pastor of the Ham
line NJ. E. Church, in his sermon last
night
The pastor told of his long aequaint-
ance with Mr.. Sunday-both having
Teen reared in the same town in Iowa
of the great work being accomplish
ed by the one-time baseball player,
and expressed himself as of the opin-
ion that since st. Paul there had been
no greater evangelist.
MIR. Clark spoke of the work neces-
sary by local church members in con-
junction with that OF Mr.. Sunday in
order that his labors might accom-
piish the greatest good and said that
he saw no reason why the member
ship Of the churches should not be
greatly increased.