The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1934-10-12
by MRS. M. E. PLASSMANN)

The day was bright and sunny, with
a stiff wind blowing, as it sometimes
does in Great Falls. Awnings tapped,
dust eddied through the streets, and
those who CHANGED to be walking, in
stead of safely ensconced within a clos
ed automobile, took a tight grip on their
hats as they turned the orner and
faced the blast. I was on my way to
the postoffice, above which the Stars
and Stripes beat the air in a frantic
effort to escpae from the pole to which
it was attached. The flag is always
there, as it is above other government
buildings in Montana and elsewhere
throughout u country. There was
nothing strange in the sight, except
that the brilliant sunshine accumulated
its beauty, as the wind revealed and
then concealed it.
It brought to my mind other days of
long ago, when the ringing of the vii
lage bells, the sound of exploding fire
crackers, shouts of children, and a loud
report as the anvil came into action
that, at the unseemly hour of 4 a. m.
announced that the Glorious Fourth
was with us.
A tall pole had been raised the day
before and on its very summit perched
a jaunty Liberty cap, and further down
swung out our banner to greet the rising
sun. 1t was an inspiring sight, the
! more so that the flag was seen but
| seldom.
On one or two occasions when a flag
was needed, none could be bought,
necessitating its making. There prov
ed to be no difficulty in arranging the
stripes alternately of red and white
or the blue field in the upper corne
The numerous five-pointed stars, how
ever, taxed the ingenuity of those who
had undertaken the task. This home
made flag was not of bunting, nor of
silk, but of common sheeting that look
ed well at a distance and lasted
throughout the day, at least.
Then came the Civil war with the
usual eruption of patriotic 'emblems that
is epidemic in wartime. I especially re-
member the envelopes and paper with
flags in the brightest of colors as dec
GRAFTON. To use them gave one the
virtuous feeling that always accompan-
les a deed done for ones country. Then
there were flag pins that were ostenta-
tiously worn in order to let there be!
no installing the patriotism of the
wearer.
In the South there was equal en-
thusiasm exhibited over the STARS and
Bars" and 1.-THE Bonny Blue flag that
bears a single star" or whatever serv-
ed as the emblem of the Confederacy.
For there was not entire unanimity of
feeling as to what should be chosen.
History tells us there was the same in
decision shown at the time Of the rev.
olution before the Star Spangled Ban
ner was at length destined to represent ,
the federal union. |,
When we crossed the plains in 1868,
we saw the flag at Fort Laramie and
at the few small military stations pass
ed while we were on the North Platte.
After entering Lander's cutoff, we bid =.
goodby to the United States government -,
and entered disputed territory when =,
passing through what is now Idaho and
also Montana, the majority of those
living here at that time not being sure ,
where their allegiance was due. !
The first United States flag to be
brought to Bannack, so far as I am in
formed was carried by some Of the men
who were members of Captain James
Fiske's company in 1868. It made a
brave show, and caused no little excite
ment. It seemed like a bit of back !
east" and impressed me the more that
my mother, who rarely displayed emo
ton, having been reared in Puritan
surroundings, shed tears when it was
borne through Bannack's main street !
and past Dur door. Being government ]
property it, together with the howitzer !
and a few shells, vas turned over to,
my father as he constituted at the time g
the only representative of the govern !:
ment residing there. t
The howitzer found a temporary t
place under my fathers bed
until taken out after Copley was killed,
to be used in Smelling the cabin where I
Pc Pizanthia, the murderer, lay hidden. !
I do not remember that the gun was S
ever returned to our house, although t
its carriage was not removed from i
there. The men who took the howitzer
we're in too great haste to think of
mounting it; they chose to carry it in !
their arms.
=