davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1937-07-04
President
Historical Heritage of Old Stronghold Inspired Reconstruction
for Which Original Specifications Were Discovered-the
National Park Service and C. C. C. Are Doing Work.

dark-haired, soft-spoken arts. loJ,-
back upon various phases of the VCrE.
After National Park Service his
torlanS chose Fort Stevens as repre-
sentative example of Civil War d.
fense. Mexican rolled up his sleeves
and launched vigorous search for
accurate data about the works. He
surrounded himself with musty old
volumes that fairly exuded glowing
tales of heroism and fierce conflicts.
Patiently he interviewed white-haired
veterans and examined thousands of
yelloWed photographs depicting Army
life in the sos
"All this information was intensely
interesting" says Mexican. but We
wanted something more tangible
such as plans, elevation views and di-
mensions of the old fort"
FINALLY McKean's JEALOUS search
was rewarded. Original drawings
OF Fort Stevens were uncovered here
in Washington by War Department
offlclals. Brought to light again after
many years in dusty files, the patched,
spotted sketches revealed ,pecifcations
of the forts construction.
The discovery of these sketches was
indeed fortunate Unlike many other
restoration jobs where engineers we're
guided by slim clues. the local project
is favored by a four-fold check on
accuracy of data-drawin8 photo
graphs, verbal descriptions and WELL
preserved earthvorks
Despite the fact that McKean's tai
ented efforts are evident at every turn.
he disclaims any credit for the excel
lent development of the fort.
I'VE were extremely fortunate" he
says, in being able to find the old rec
ords. Naturally, the primary aim in
project of this kind is authenticity.
In this feel We are succeeding Then,
too, cooperation between the C. C. c..
and the National Park Service and the
sympathetic understanding of our
problems among all who shared in the
| Continued on Sixth Page0
Evening star., 1937-07-04
HOW ARE FIRECRACKERS MADE?
China Supplies Most Frecracker Made by Primitive Methods,
While Rockets, Roman Candles and Bombs Usually Come
From Japan-An1erica Uses "Saute Machines"

Of bunch Of firecrackers In this
country. but recently the wage has
been increased materially.
The Chinese industry is carried on
in most primitive way and with
very few tools. The cheap straw paper
is rolled on bamboo sticks into tubes
about 2 feet long. covered with thin
red paper and then cut into the
desired length for the crackers. In
filling the crackers the tubes are
tied together in bundles, foot or so
|, in diameter and one end stopped
The bundle is then turned over and
a sheet of paper pasted over the top
in which hole is punched over each
tube. The powder mixture is spread
over the paper and little shaking
Sits it down into the tubes and the
crackers are ready for fusing and
final sealing
In the small and medium sized
crackers a length Of fuse is inserted
into the tube and sealed by turning
down the inner layers Of paper with
a small awl. A mud plug is used 10
seal the large crackers. The paper
fuse is made from the inner lining of
the bamboo or from rice paper, some
times stiffened with buckwheat -four
paste to add to its inf1ammability
Strips of this paper about one-third
of an inch wide and little over
foot long are laid on table and
very little of the powder mixture sifted
down the middle with hollow bamboo
stick. A twist Of the paper keeps the
powder from spilling as it Is cut into
the required length and inserted into
the cracker.
The finished crackers are strung
together and wrapped into neat
packages, the size Of the package
depending upon the market to which
it is sent. For the market in this
country the number of crackers in a
packet runs from an even dozen to as
many as so, while those for Chinese
markets are much larger, containing
anywhere from 1000 to 100000 fire.
crackers.
CHINA imports various materials
used In the manufacture Of fire-
crackers. The saltpeter comes from
Germany and India. sulphur from
Japan, the United States. Germany
and sometimes Italy, while the chlorats
CONTINUED on Sixth PassJ
Evening star., 1937-07-04

architect asks his guest, What kind
of wood is used in the fort Wall?"
This question never fails to stump
the sightseer, whether he be noted
botanist or John @. Layman. With
twinkle in his eyes, Mexican ex-
plains that the logs" are made OF
concrete, not wood! Little wonder
the visitor is incredulous. Only close
examination of the logs" reveals
that the bark" is dark -colored cement
cleverly applied by deft artisans.
These simulated logs. Mexican says,
last far longer than natural wood.
Replacing the artillery at Fort
Stevens will be an easy matter. Ac-
curate accounts of the forts ordnance
were found in old military reports.
Upon the gun platforms, recently
completed. will be mounted nine
cannon in the same strategic positions
as in war days. In those tumultous
times total of 20 heavy guns pro-
tected the fort with their death-deal-
ing messages.
Conspicuous on the grounds is the
powder magazine, now under con-
struction Here Mexican pauses to
tell the legend of Aunt Betty Thomas,
a colored woman who lived in a
tumbled down log cabin located on the
spot now dominated by the magazine
When war loomed in 1861, Army
engineers decided to enlarge the
original works and ordered Aunt
Betty to quit her homestead. But
she refused to bulge! Then one day
while inspecting the fort. Lincoln
heard of the difficulty and sent for
the defiant woman. Standing under
a towering sycamore, the President
gently explained to her how vital
was Fort Stevens in the Capitals line
Of defense. He promised her due COM
pensation for loss of land and home.
Then, won by his kindly manner. she
packed her belongings and departed.
Today, the sightseer may stand under
the spreading limbs of the same tree
where Lincoln eased the breaking
heart Of Aunt Betty.
4 MOTHER feature OF the original
= fort, Mexican points out, was the
bombproof structure which sheltered
soldiers from curving artillery fire.
In this long, narrow log building,
Evening star., 1937-07-04

in 1921 was placed in shrine at the
Library of Congress. Washington,
along with the original of the Consti-
tuition, where it annually is viewed by
hundreds of thousands of visitors.
With that installation it was be-
lieved the Declaration finally had
found permanent resting place. But
the new Archives Building in the Ma
tional Capital contains an empty
shrine which appears to be beckoning
to the priceless documents. And there
are some who say that bit of UNDER
cover pulling and hauling is going on
between the librarian of Congress on
the one hand to keep them and the
archivist of the United States on the
other to get them for his beautiful but
empty shrine.
And so perhaps the Declarations
long career of wandering is not yet
completed
Philadelphia, Lancaster and York,
in Pennsylvania; Trenton and Prince
ton, N. j.. New York City. N. Y; An
napolis and Baltimore, Nd, and Lees
burg, Va, are the places where the
Declaration has found sanctuary in
the past.
The Declaration began its travels in
1776. The British approach to Phila-
delphia in hot pursuit of Gen. WASH
ington necessitated the removal Of the
Continental Congress and its records
to Baltimore The Declaration was in
the possession Of Charles Thomson as
Secretary of the Congress. 1t was
carried, along with other papers and
records of the Congress, from Philadel-
phia to Baltimore by wagon. It was
in the Maryland city that the Declara-
tion was published for the second time
with the names of all its signers made
public.
But the Congress was not to remain
long in Baltimore. Washington's
military achievements at Trenton and
Princeton relieved the pressure of the
British and it was possible for the
Congress safely to reconvene in Phil
adelphia. And, of course, the
Declaration came back with it. How
ever, in September, l777. Philadel-
phia again was menaced and Lam
caster became the temporary home of
both Congress and the immortal
parchment it had adopted. Lancaster
was soon quilted. though, and the
Evening star., 1937-07-04

r historic Fort Stevens. famed
for its vital role in the defense
of Washington during Civil
Il L War days, is rising again.
Aroused from its 72-year slumber by
the picks and shovels of a small army
of busy c. C. C. youths, the fort,
located near the District of Columbia'S
northern rim, is being reconstructed
under the direction of the National
Park Service
Already parapets and rifle-pits have
replaced barren age-worn earthWorks
once found at the renowned site.
Soon the muzzles of authentic Civil
War cannon may be seen pointing
through the yaWning embraSureS of
the forts wall. AS the restoration
rapidly nears completion, public
spirited citizens eagerly look forward
to the time when Uncle Sam will
officially open this new shrine for
sightseers in the Nations Capital
Gnarled, battle-scarred veterans
pause at the restoration site to watch
the industrious C. c. C. workers who.
in their blue denim attire are veritable
modern boys in blue. Dimmed eyes
sparkle again, as the bent graybeards
think back upon bitter campaigns or
perhaps, sentry duty at some lonely
outpost.
Every day, as curious passers-by
Chamber over the entertainments, they
readily envision exciting days of the
past when Mimic balls whined over
head and sharpshooters harassed the
enemy with deadly fire. Every one
finds something of special interest at
Fort Stevens. Historians and military
engineers gain wealth of technical
information, Teachers and students
discover that historical facts and
dates assume new meaning. Even
neighborhood children at play find
the place thrilling. Innocently
enough, with childish glee, they
brandish toy guns and climb over the
parapets to engage in mock warfare.
But no one is more enthusiastic
than Robert R. Mexican, National
Capital Parks landscape architect,
Evening star., 1937-07-04

Fort Stevens Played Vital Role in Defending Washington Fro1
Confederate Invaders in July of lS64-Lincon, Only
President Ever Under Combat Fire, Was Present.
By Bernard K0hn.

r historic Fort Stevens. famed
for its vital role in the defense
of Washington during Civil
4 War days, is rising again
Evening star., 1937-07-04

ton of this fact has been responsible
for the very strict standards for the
manufacture of American fireworks
Only some 20 per cent, however. Of
all the firecrackers annually used in
this country are of American manu-
facture. The remainder, valued at
some 100000, come from the Orient,
principally from China.
The importation Of firecrackers
seems not to have attracted the atten-
tion Of the tariff makers until 1846
when the first duties were placed on
them. Since that time some half dozen
tariff acts have imposed varying rates
of duty upon these imports.
OF the fireworks imported for use
in this country, China furnishes the
greater part of the firecrackers, with
Hongkong-a British possession-in
second place. Japan, also source
of f1recrackers, sends the bulk of
bombs, rockets and Roman candles
with Germany, Great Britain and
Canada also furnishing very small
quantities. The Philippine Islands in
some years furnish an appreciable
amount of the total import of small
f1recrackers
Despite the large amount of fire.
crackers used annually In the United
States, China continues to use more
than any other country in the world
From very early times firecrackers
have been the Chinese way Of ex-
pressing good feeling, although the
original purpose Of the noise was to
drive away evil spirits In the various
social, religious and military functions,
as we'll as at births and deaths, fire.
crackers are very much in evidence.
One writer suggests that at weddings
firecrackers are nearly as important
as the bride.
A THOUGH the manufacture Of
\ firecrackers continues to be prin-
cipally q household industry, large
factories have grown up In the Macau
area-a Portuguese territory-and
in Hongkong, and from these centsrs
the product goes to all parts Of the
world.
In the interior districts of China
the manufacture Of flrecrackers is
carried on in "matsheds" of flimsy
construction, where thousands Of
women and children work from early
morning until late at night, Formerly
the daily wage did not equal the price
Evening star., 1937-07-04
Bv Herbert H0Hander.

= vOW much do you really know
Il about July 4, the greatest of
our national holidays?
i i Don't answer too quickly,
for if you say, as most people in
variably do, that July 4 is the day
the Declaration of independence was
signed" you'll he wrong.
Though July 4 is the patriots day
OF days, amazingly few loyal Ameri-
cans have more than hazy notion
of it's place in our history from 1776
to the present.
Did you know. for example, that it
was on July 2, and not July 4, that the
Continental Congress adopted the res
olution proposed by Richard Henry
Lee Of Virginia, which provided that
These United Colonies are, and of
right ought to be, free and inde-
pendent States; that they are absolved
from allegiance to the British crown,
and that all political connection be-
tween them and the state of Great
Britain is. and ought to be, totally
dissolved?
After passage of the resolution, the
draft of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, written b. Thomas Jeffer-
son and modified by committee, was
debated, paragraph by paragraph. The
voting was close, and it remained for
Caesar Rodney to break the deadlock
In the Delaware delegation by gallop-
ing 80 miles from Denver to Phila-
delphia. He rushed in, dust-begrimed
and breathless, to save DelaWare's vote
for the Declaration.
Again, contrary to popular belief, the
Declaration was not signed on July 4.
On that day only John Hancock, presi-
dent, and Charles Thomson. secretary,
affixed their signatures to the fair"
copy. 1t was not until August 2 that
the signing ceremony took place.
Furthermore, some time between
July and August 2, l776, the original
copy of the Declaration as signed by
Hancock and Thomson either was lost
or destroyed and the Congress ordered
q duplicate of it engrossed on parch-
nnent. 1t is this second parchment
copy, and not the original, which has
been handed down to posterity.
A FTER many years of wandering,
the Declaration of Independence
Evening star., 1937-07-04
WHAT HAPPENED ON JULY 4?
The Signing Ceremony for the Declaration of independence
Took Place August 2, 1776-Ony President Hancock
and Thomson Affixed Signatures Fourth of July

Declaration was moved on to York,
where it remained for some time. By
July 2, however, the immortal docu-
ment once more was located within
the confines of Philadelphia.
TUE to the precarious situation in
1777 there was no public celebra-
tion of the first anniversary of the
adoption of the Declaration Of 1nde-
pendence. However, by 1778 things
were looking considerably better and
Continued on Sixth Page.)
Evening star., 1937-07-04

who is supervising the development
of the reproduction. Ever since Uncle
Sam started to rebuild the glamorous
old fort, Mexican has been on the
scene of activities. Indeed, the story
of the restoration is the story of
Robert McKean's untiring efforts.
A N INSPECTION tour of the area
with Mexican as host is a real
treat to the visitor
Evening star., 1937-07-04

will offer pleasant retreat from
jammed thoroughfares of the bustling
city. Numerous rustic benches will in
vite strollers to relax in this serene
spot where once ensued bloody strug-
gle. For the convenience OF patriotic
organizations which come here for
celebrations, paved outdoor assembly
plaza will be installed
To Mexican the restoration Job is
an exciting architectural experience
This readily Is understood when the
Evening star., 1937-07-04

weary infantrymen, in comparative
safety, snatched much-needed sleep
after long vigils at their posts The
bombproof location is within the
limits of the restoration area. but no
definite steps have been taken to
reproduce the ancient refuge.
SO the tourist may see the layout OF
the entire defense, a bronze model OF
old Fort Stevens now is on view at
the historic shrine. This tablet.
erected by the Daughters Of the Union
Veterans of the Civil War. is mounted
on granite pedestal and dedicated
to the memory of the blue fighters.
Another memorial, long landmark
at the fort site, is the rugged granite
monument VIII c h commentaries
Lincoln's dramatic experience at the
Battle of Fort Stevens. During the
fight with utter disregard for his
own safety, Lincoln stood upon the
parapet where he could better observe
the Confederate attack. Not until
surgeon at his side was felled by
MIME ball, did he shield himself be-
hind the breastWorks. 1t is the only
time President of the United States
has been under combat fire. Today,
this gripping incident is depicted in
bas-relief upon the bronze plaque Of
the marker
Modern visitors. standing on the
spot hallowed by Lincoln, look upon
scene vastly different from that
viewed by the anxious eyes of the
wartime President. Then, except for
an occasional farm house, the long,
rolling reaches of green pasture lands
were unbroken. The staccato beat
of horses, hoofs rang through the air
as grim troops of cavalry dashed along
dusty roads Now, the fort site is
hemmed in by brick dwellings, apart
ment houses, churches and schools.
Sleek, purring automobiles whiz along
smooth highways which surround the
historic place.
DEsP1TE the encroachments Of
civilization, the forts high posi-
ton affords visitors q commanding
view of the distant countryside. To
the northward is a tree of deep his
toric significance. The weather.
beaten sign nailed to the trunk tells
the story: site of the Toll Gate House.
Evening star., 1937-07-04
By Mary Machin Gardner

OURTH Of July means fire
l. crackers! The custom of
/ noisy celebration probably
4 started with the ringing Of the
Liberty Bell in the State house in
Philadelphia to announce that the
independence Of the Is Colonies from
the mother country had been declared.
But at any rate 1t Is generally
conceded that more lives have been
lost in celebrating independence than
we're lost in gaining it. The recogni-
Evening star., 1937-07-04

Fort Stevens will not be restored
in its entirety says Mexican. Dur
ing Civil War days." he continues,
the defense embraced more territory
than the area owned by the Govern
ment today Originally the place
was called Fort assachusetts. Later
it was enlarged and named to honor
Maj Gen, Isaac Stevens, Union war
hero
Pausing beside the log parapet, the
Evening star., 1937-07-04

Nearest point to Washington reached
by the Confederate troops under Gen.
Early in the Battle of Fort Ste
vens ."
This famous landmark is located at
Piney Branch road and Georgia ave-
nue.. approximately one-quarter of
mile from the fort.
The restoration area is destined to
become famous for its recreational as
we'll as its historic appeal Large shade
trees. shrubs and fresh green eXpanses
Evening star., 1937-07-04

Continued on Sixth Pags.)
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-07-12
Cur|ey, Famous
Promoter, Dies
CONTINUED from Page u

tours for such notableS as
Rudolph Valentino, star of the
silent pictures; Mrs. Emmeline
Pankhurst, the Suffragette leader,
and Annette Kellerman, the
diver. He managed a tour OF
the Vatican choir, ran a circus
and promoted dance marathonS
and bridge contests.
But it was in the wrestling
renaissance that began in 1929
that Curley really came into his
own by Transforming the sport
from a dreary spectacle of science
into vaudeville and pantomime
which drew the crowds in droves.
The "grunt and groan" business,
with the new influx of college boys,
Indians, Turks, Chinese, alleged
noblemen and what-not. became Il
gold mine.
Born July 4, 1876, in San Fran
cisco, Curley was chriStened
Jacques Armand Schuel. Nick
named "Curley," because Of his
hair, he later had that name
legalized.
In Chicago, as a youngster, he
began work as a boxer following
employment in shooting gallery.
Working as his own manager, he
gradually became interested in the
promotion game. Learning to duck
local laws against boxing, Curley
soon spiraled to fame in the fish
cuff-management business.
Typical of his clever promoting
technique was his method OF
handling the Jack Johnson-Fire-
man Flynn fight. At time when
the color line question was a mat
ter of Importance Curley took
the fight to Wendover, a town on
the Utah-Nevada State boundary
line where at the last minute he
could move the bout to either
State.
Invented Bathing Style
Curley's clever Scheming went
to naught, however, when Helen
Gould, a power in the Western
Pacific Railroad, prevented fight
excursion trains.
Curley is credited with invent
ing the one-piece bathing suit for
women. Watching his famous
swimmer, Annette Kellerman, per-
form, Curley noticed her two-piece
suit would become loose and ex-
pose a little more of the shapely
swimmer than the morals of the
day would stand. He quickly
solved the problem by stitching
the two parts together, and trim
ming off the skirt.
Curley, a natty dresser and a
Snowman of the first rank, was
married twice, being divorced
from his first wife, the present
Mrs. Hobart Swanton. He leaves
his widow, the former Miss Bessie
Grobgeld, and two children, Jack
and Jean.
Funeral services have not yet
been arranged.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-07-12
Army Orders

Current Army orders include the fol"
lowing:
Promotion
Richard K. Cole. M. c., to lieut.. COL.
July 8.
OTHER ORDERS
Colonel
Arthur Poillon, Cav. rel. Harrisburg
Pa. August 81 to Camp Dix, N. ].
Lieutenant Colonel
william r. Nichols, G. A. Co rel.
present duties Fort Monroe, Va.s Au-
gust /; to Sd C. A.. same station.
Ernest J. Stoves. M. Co. resignation
Harry A. cacquerie. Q. M. c.. order
during absence of Capt. Russell W.
Goodyear O. M CAPTAINS Gi fHv'
Clifford H. Perry, M. A. c., rel. TT. Sam
Houston, Tex, Sept. II; to home' await
George S. Deaderick. @. M. c., Maxwell
Field, Ala; to add'l duty as constr. q. m.
same sta.
Tex. July is, for flying trng. with July
John A. Tarro. A. c.. Scott Field.
First Lieutenants
| Mass; to addl duty at Boston Airport,
Boston, for flying duty.
William o. Senter. A. Co. Cambridge,
| same.
Edwin G. simenson. A. c.. Cambridge,
| same
Second Lieutenant
william N. Beard. C. of E.. rel. Fit. Nc
| Intosh, Tex, Sept. 20; to Cornell u,
| Ithaca, N. Y, for course of instr, bet.
| September 24-27.
| Leaves Of Absence
Col Eugene R. Householder, A. g. d.
| 1 day. July 10.
Lieut.. Col oscar Krupp. o. D., mo. 9
days. July 20, with permission TO visit
foreign countries.
| Maj. Vivian z. Brown. D. c., 10 days
Capt. John W. wofford. Cav, same.
Capt. John P. Eckert, F. A, same.
Capt. Ira X. Evans. @. M. c.. 2S days
July 10. with permission to visit foreign
! countries
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-07-12
Navy Orders

Navy. orders currently effective in
clude these:
Commander
Richard H. CruZen, det. comm. U. 3.
s. Simpson July Is; to U. s. S. California
as navig. officer.
Lieutenants
Francis c. B. McCune, Diet. q. 8. g..
Humphreys June 81: to u. s. s. HOP
kins as exec. officer.
Castle J. voris, Diet. U. 8. s. Vega Sep
TENDER 4; to home, rel. all active duty
Lieutenants, Junior Grade
Eb s. Cooke, ors. by c. in c. Asiat1c
modified; to U. s. S. Herbert. instead
Sd Nav. Dist, New York.
Spencer NJ Adams, det. Nav. Air Sta,
Pensacola, Fla, July Q; to VT (U. s. 8.
Robert B. crowel, same; to VS. Il
u. s. s. Ranger).
Cecil K. Harper, same; to VB 2
u. s. s. Lexington).
Frederick W. Sheppard, same; to vs.
(U s. 8. Lexington).
william E. Sweeney. same; to vo 1
(U. s. S. -Arizona). v
Frank X. Upham, same; to VP
u. S. s. Ranger.)
Medical Corps
1t. Cdr. william D. Davis, det 18th
Nav. Dist. San Francisco in June; to
Nav. Dsp, Navy Dept, Washington.
1t. Cdr. John NJ. McCantz, det. Nav.
Hosp, Portsmouth, N. H., in July; to
Nav. Hosp, Chelsea, Mass.
Supply Corps
Cdr. Lawrence A. Odin, Diet. Base
Force, in Sept: to Yard. Pearl Harbor.
T. H.