ij^ ^ w/ , K^7 LIDnrvn I ^^i w--^.-> 011801983 E in ojj:y TC^'NrjKlP 3EPK? nOUHTY 'hile in '■Jai:ip ne&r • .>r;rovu - Kir^ntf fiin^ry n»nnty :.iylv)BniR c!f,y^ , -' - '.]5 - 1777. An addresti by T?«rent - BerXB n aunty Ch<^.pter HanoTQry-Viow-Prcsilent-Gcnersa v^^i:'- • .jsay - Girl'fs hxf;::: :"Ghool - ' 3alinp: F«^bru8r\ - :')9. -n*-. '- - "^«. Gh inf^ t <»n ' s It irier r- ri e .s . fyjyH^ it2,^n^ /fc^^ Author 6 My '09 dBMMHMMMMKMMMM THE READING HERALD Established 1881. WILLIAM McCORMICK.. Editor and Proprietor , HERALET BUILDING, 13 N. BTH ST. READING, PA., FEBRUARY 22, 1909. G.W. VISITED US HE CAMPED NEAR BY 2t^//^?>^ AND DROPPED IN UPON US ONCE IN A WHILE— MRS. KEIM TELLS WHAT SHE LEARNED ABOUT HIM DOWN THE OLEY TOWN- SHIP WAY— SOME NEW LIGHT. At the Washington Birthday celebra- tion at the Girls' High School today Mrs; DeB. R. Keim made this excel- lent address: The day we celebrate is the one hun- dred and seventy-eighth anniversary of the birth of George Washington on his father's plantation in Westmoreland CoUnty, at George's Creek, a tributary of the lower Potomac River, on the Vir- ginia side, about 80 miles below the magnificent capital of the republic which today commemorates his name and public services. A handsome mon- ' ument erected by Congress marks the place of his birth. The story of Washington's boyhood, youth and manhood is, or should be, known to every American, old or young. He was 45 years of age when ma- noeuvring his army up the eastern side of the Schuylkill River after the unfav- orable turn - of the battle on the Brandywinejpind preceding the drawn conflict at Germantown.Ofc^c(& ^^77* It was during this interval of stfa- tegic operations that Washington is known to have been In camn from SeOt. .t 1/^ >^. to j^6, 1777, in Pottsgrove township, ^out four miles southeast of now Pottstown, Montgomery County, about live miles from^ the oounty line of . Berks, eight or nine rimSs from Oley Valley and about 20 miles below Read-^ | \ng. JHI .'> 2 On September 19, General '''ayliin-^t^^n m n letter to the Presilrnt of th« Oantinentgl C!«n^ress merit i«n« »ncbv r^passin^ the SohuylTcill ^.t pRr'^^r's fnr^ f ^3 Tiilf*s b^lfliw R it 'vas, »n their fr^, to the Trappe-iM<»nt,«»'9mery C*.- 10 miles ^.N."^. ©f Narristowi^ .'^ miles frsm na^f 0^11ep;e Sta tion. -^^^/^^^/^ 4^ ^^^-^ ^'"^^^'>^ on September 21, A.M. it encamped within 4 miles «f P«tts^r«ve (P«ttsto7>Ti). The advance of the British '"'' 1. then at ?r«nc]i '*?"'---'^' , ^^ t^^^ '''f-r+ ^i-^'^ '>f jbhe 3 c huy IV ill, ma r cli in <^ r ap i dl y t o Ta r 1 c R ea d i ^\ ^- "^^cM!^ d^^cu^j-f A^V^^//^^:^ ^z /a.^^.<^_ 2^^^ C (v. y^)-UM ^^^ i^^- J /^. /^w /y^ ^^ 7^ C^^^^^^*^ ? .tSiiSir> ^' " tMs induced ne to believe thry he-l tTTe •bjects i vieT, one ta '^ot graunl the rij^ht nf ray erray, the '"th^r tn detach ps.rtics to Jl^BAln^, '^'hr-^re v.>! have f cansiderable utoreB, To frustrate thdkie intentions A *^^ r.:evFd the /iriny >w%>n this side of the rive:!j,tf> this ii.£:Gri (nesr P»tts?rrc»ve) i'-itennined tcj heep p^c-; vrit thp:r". T'h'"- '^*-'^n<^r8l mentioned 1000 r-f his men "h"'-!^''^" berefeoted . Arndn'^ th<3 '"-iyhin^tr^n M?inuscript5in thif L.ihrary of Conj^rrecs 1;; ?3 l-^'ttnr deted 3ept. ,^I,I777 >,..r.T» '^etlcnd Ford an Schuyr-^ill. On thp ni?rht ^f September 2^, '^ashinrt^n h.^d .^ Ivices thrt the British cr»ssel the Schuyrf.iJ.1 ??.t beloY/ v&lley For ,-5:6.) /■j^t/ On this S9ine dete b manuscri'-^t lette/ exists^^ 'in/'^j,brsr^'' "-f n.'>-n«:ress T.Titten in cmnp P.P. mile 3 fro Philadelphie on the F^adin* Raal. ^ jU^ ^^^ /^//rr^-^^ .^ /^'"'^ <^-es-^^ -^ /^^L-^_ ^: ■/^ri^^'^^^ ^"^^ e^e- T"-"^^^ •\}mi'y^' ^ On the ssrne ley he Trote tf> n?%lf!tnel ^rnilton r^f hiti ^taff unleiib re/ittt i : • ;;•';... ^ ii^^u ■-^;o on Tith thw campaign ^hioh v/mill ^e the ruin r>f ^•"■e Army if not /unerica", ani. ordere'l him te proocf ■ -nee to Philaldlphiia ijecure ej.^ fciup};ij.r t-j h^^ coiU 1 ind ?>nd r<^m«ve horses fr(^hi the city. On September ^3, "'aLihiJigton ^btpin<^'i '^.f^fir.lt^ :iforin8ti»n"thet the enemy TSid a^n the Ib^^i^t {;i';ie ci e SorhuylKill hevin«y crossed 3eptemb??r 22, at Fnt- -nd end r.thr»r n^'^T f»rdsi*>^ movin.'?; to'.'rerd Philf}. A Itrtl' t.r:ly -^"^ :: '"Titt<-n iiin "'^^u oohuyll'ill, Z4 miles from Phil!n.(24 nil^^s from Peadinr"). On thiL^ isy at his "camp nv^ar Pottsryr^v^" ''^ni^ninciei, '-r. - eiso ijifnrmr-d that OfungTesu had ad- journed Sept. IP., an the approach rf the British, tr!^??rd Philadelphia to Lancastf^r, There it met September 27. (7^ ,<2X-^^U^^ /%t^^£^<^c/-zJ^j2^^juy^' fj^a^^f^ A\ ^^-^ / The t>aine lay it adjournecl tcj YorK cjh the '^ect £5ii.e of tlie RusQuehf^nn^i, ^ihfive it met September iO. Tere Oonrre^itj. rem-9inei;uiiLii the British 5V8.cu?ted PhilB'i.elTohis the fallowin.'r MBy. After ?? cmmcil t^f "'rr it '"^c decilei.'^to move the Arj;!y t'JTraria Philal^iphi? '-•n -3t3pt ember .24, 'ixrectin.«: t'> fr fle-nh him, but yuda^-niy countermarched fo:; PhilBdelphie . <: "'i :^ ^r X / ; *4^^^^^^/^5h«Sfe. ^'^^^ "^ ^FlEAD ING HIS MAIN DEPOT. Fi^ffl*Tmr»«p«"i««t Washingrton covered the most ; feasible routes of direction toward the rich townships of now Douglass, Colebrookdale, Earl and Oley in southeastern Berks, and his main depot at Reading, besides being In strategic position to give battle in case the British should attempt to cap- ture that town. The vital importance of Reading is shown by the fact that in retiring from the field on the Brandj'wine Washing- ton pointed his column to Parkerford, where he placed the Schuylkill betwen , himself and Lord Howe in pursuit. The two armies took up a race toward Reading on parallel lines, j Washington holding himself prepared 1 to defend the place and its valuable stores to the last extremity. Beyond an artillery duel from hills near Phoenixville and opposite with the Hver between. Lord Howe made no attempt to cross and attack. Evidently conscious of the peril of getting too far out of reach of a safe defensive and the danger of having his communication interrupted, the British general suddenly counter- marched over his outv/ard route, crossed the Schuylkill near Norristown and advanced toward Philadelphia, which he occupied Sept. 26, the da>^ ! Washington broke camp near the Berks I line ahd resumed the offensive. ; ^ m TOUC H WITH SUPPLIES. liuring th"^|^ive days spent recupel*- I ating and refitting his somewhat dls- j organized and exhausted troops In Pottsgrove township, Washington was naturally In constant touch with his main depot distant but a single day's haul. The most direct route for his I wagon trains to reach that point was // ^iladelphia, his Oley headquarters I would be not over 35 or 40 miles distant by main highway. VALLEY FORGE WAS NEARER. After the indecisive battle of Ger- mantown, owing to the proximity of White Marsh to the British outposts. Washing-ton concluded to retire to Val- ley Forge instead of Oley, the latter be- ing too remote for harassing the enemy by sudden movements. The former lY^^^ -iJistant enough against surprise and to- 'pographically easily defended, he con- sidered possessing better advantages of position. For this reason Valley Forge bordering the fighting zone, instead of Oley Valley and abundance, was chosen during the winter of 1777-78. It would not be carrying inference too far to suppose Washington to have made a reconnoissance toward, if not into Reading. Although such an event would, in all probability, have been chronicled in some way by the towns- people as to Reading, although left to the uncertainty of tradition by country folks as to Oley. Among several of the old families of Oley the presence of foraging parties from Washington's camp at Valley Forge has been handed down in well defined forms. Thei-e is also documentary evidence to the same effect. This shows that Oley town- ship was a region of expeditions from Washington's army at Valley Forge/ not over one camp distant. This appears from a letter written in January, 1778, by John Lesher, iron master of Oley, to the Executive Coun- citl. It manifests, however, a spirit of patriotic resignation. The writer re- fers to "a number of Continental troops and wagons taking eight tons of hay, destroying apples sufficient to make 10 hogsheads of cider, eating up his pasture, burning fences, etc.," and himself "purchasing two beeves at one shilling per pound to answer their im- mediate want of provisions." SUPPLIED ARMY WITH FOOD. He continues: "At several other times I have supplied detachments ot the' army with provisions." He men- /I- tidns a party of foragers "taking 14 | hea^ of cattle and 4 swine, which was j all' he had for the workmen for carry- [ Ing onf' his Sron works, especially as ' there was great call for iron for public 1 use." ! His complaint was of the forcible ' and wasteful methods employed "when!( the sti'ongest exertions of economy and ■ frugality ought to toe practiced by ail ■ ranks of men, thereby the better to enable us to repel the designs of a i daring enemy who are now in our j land." As a remedy he suggested the "appointment of judiciou.s men in any township to apportion the demands ac- cording to the circum.«tances of every farmer and general benefit of the whole." During the years of Trenton, Prince- ton, Brandywine, Germantown, Valley Forge and preparations for the pursiuit of the British, culminating in their de- feat at Monmouth in June, 1778, Berks County was an important center of suifply and Reading of stores. In a letter of date but three days ( before Washington encamped near the Berks line, when the third and fourth classes of militia of Berks were called into service incident to the forward movernent toward Philadelphia, the statement is .^ made by Col. Morgan: "There is atVpresent a great quantity of powder and other stores belonging to the states in this town (Reading) and .there are two companies now of said classes mounting guard over said ,stores." FEARS FOR POWDER STORES. The quantity of powder was so great that fears were entertained in event of fire it would "tear the town to pieces and destroy the whole body of inhab- itants." It is a matter of interesting record that Washington did pass a night in Reading during his presidency on his way from Philadelphia, then the capi- tal, to Carlisle, to inspect the army fin rendezvous preparatory to its march to the scene of riot in Western Pennsylvaniajl^ On this occasion a .parade and pass- t^h ing review were had on Penn Square and Peter Nagle, a hero of the Rev6- , lution, known to Washington, gave a reception in his honor at his residence j on North 5th street, which stood on I the now vacant lot on the south side of the post office building, owned by |john H. Keim from about 1842 to 1855, and later by J. Lawrence Getz, one of : Reading's noted editors and memberl j of the National House of Representa- { lives of the 40th, 41st and 42d Con- ! gresses, where he was highly respected I and an honor to his constituents. Another interesting incident asso- ' ciated with one of Reading's citizens I I was the presence of Captain Peter | Nagle, with his eldest daughter, Kliza- '^ beth, at a reception in Philadelphia \ \ given by President Washington. ASSOCIATIONS OF WASHINGTON. There can be no plausible ground of objection to the County of Berks add- ing to the numerous interesting asso- t ciations of the Revolutionary struggle and her contributions to its success, the well sustained inference that Gen- eral Washington visited^Oley Valley between Sept. 21 and 25^1777, prior to advancing toward the British at Philadelphia. Also that he received large supplies of cannon, shot, mus- kets, .powder, medical supplies, blan- kets, etc., from Reading, and flour, meat and forage from the county. Dur- ing the British occupation of Philadel- phia prominent families took refuge at Reading. The provincial treasure was also carried there for safety. It was also visited in passing between the New England States and military po.sts on the Hudson to York, where Congress was sitting, by the most distinguished patriots in civil life, and the Conti- nental army. The Berks County Chapter, there- fore, represents one of the most inter- esting regions of hallowed memories in the War of Independence in the Middle States of the glorious Thirteen. - ■ ■"■*=.. ' '^^^ . tH NO. 6 WINS IT'S MISS STROHECKER AND SHE GETS BEAUTIFUL GOLD EMBLEM— MISS BRANE IS GIVEN HONORABLE MENTION— D. A. R. HOLDS ANNUAL CONTEST FOR STUDENTS OF The D' A. R. prize at the S'ehool this morning: was wcJn toy Helen Strohecker, No. 6. It was a beautiful gold emblem with conventionalized rays centering in blue enamel. Grace Brane, who was No. 5, receiv- ed honorable mention. Today was the one gi-eat day at the Girls' High School, the annual D. A. R. exercises honoring the great American, George Washington. A SYMPHONY OF COLOR. Nothing had been left undone to make the celebration complete in ^ every particular by the society, and, | assisted by the efficient committee ap- ' pointed by Miiss Mayer, the principal, from the senior class, had everything in readiness for the exercises when ! they began at 2 this afternoon. The whole building was a symphony in patriotic colors. A large picture of Washington was hung at the front of the platform and draiped with the blue field of the flag. An American flag stood guard at each side. A large American flag was ' draped in the arch over the platform. CLASS PENNANTS DRAPED. Behind all of the pictures and overi the statuary and friezes were draped? and arranged still other flags and bunting. Class pennants of the class of 1909 were also shown at prominent places. ' Large flags stood in each comer* Bunting was arraJiged along the bal-'i cony, the railing of the stairways and; over the blackboard. ^ Ushers had been assigned to the' various floors of the building and theyi seated the people very satisfactorily. ' The A, B and C classes were seated" on the main floors, while D class sat on the balcony. The visitors wero seated in the two sections on the south side of the room and on the west side of the balcony, where chairs had been arranged. The speakers of the day sat on the platform with Miss Mayer. The exercises opened with a prayer by Rev. L. M. Erdman. Three de- lightful musical numbers followed, given as only our girls of the High School can give them. The school sang the "Slumber Song," Miss Mary A. Wisler played "Taran- telle" on the piano and the choir sang "Waltz Song." MR. KEPPELMAN MAKES SPEECH. John A. Keppelman was then intro- duced. He had a splendid address. Miss Miriam A. Baker sang a beau» tiful solo, "Three Green Bonnets," and also '*L.ife." Miss Lottie Kantner also sang "The *Lrrow and the Song" in fini.shed style. Then Mns. Keim, the chapter re- gent, made the address. She gave the usual bright account of D. A. R. work in Reading. Mrs. Keim is hon- orary vice president general of the na- tional society and spoke with her usual grace. Her address appears elsewhere.. The exercises ended with the audi-J ence singing "America." J /i yr PBffZES WON BY ESSAYIST MISS HELKN STROHECKER RE- CFJIVES MEDAL FROM D. A. R. AND GRACE BRANE HONORABLE inVhe "Girls High school, under th nor easily acquired. It is a structure of *• brick, upon brick, which by assistance and restraint, encouragement, discour-j agement and forceful disciphne, is grad-l iiaally molded into a form capable and' ^tted, £or active accompUshinent BuJS. /^ who, my friends, does the buildteff'. i Surely not the man himself. To be sure in some rare instances men have been so much the masters of their own fate as to be able to make themselves in spite of extraneous influences. "But not so, my friends, with the man of character. He is inevitably the product of his times and the" at- mosphere in which he was trained. A TRIBUTE TO WOMEN. "It is women, my friends, who do the building. It is women, and women; alone, who give moral tone to men, who keep them lodged in paths of lofty moral purposes. Take, for instance, the character of "Washington, distinctive for its inflexible resolution, inspiring moral ideals, unconciuerable determination, patient self-restraint, untiring applica- tion and proportionate and just self-es- teem. Whence came a character of such construction? It is simple to find an answer when we look at the two splen- did women in his life, his motlier, Mary, and his wife, Martha. The former, un- usual in her adherence to a strict stand- ard of honor, industrious to a high de- gree, far from well educated because of lack of opportunity, but with excep- tional vigor of intellect, strength of res- olution and of Inflexible firmness wher- ever principle was concerned. Could any woman have been better equipped for parental government and guidance, so 'admirably adapted, to the training of the youthful mind to wisdom and vir- tue? The iatter, a woman of unusual loveliness and charm of character, in which were joined those amiable quali- ties and Christian virtues which best adorn and become women, and a gentle dignity which inspired respect, and in her later life even reverence. She was unostentatious and magnanimous, and, above all, like the mother, in that she was devoted to matters of principle for their own sake. It was from tliese sources that Washington first learned, and afterward ^laintained that high standard of Christian character, which not only equipped him for a successful establishment of the cause of political '-quality and individual liberty, but vhich has afforded the highest type of lattern for the national character here- fter. "Do you, my friends, fully understand "■hat I mean? By no means do I wish you 10 interpret my meanmg as oeing ! anything so low as that the grand func- tion of women is a mere assistance to the development of the character of men. I mean that in celebrating the anniversary of the man of character you should remember that such a man is I alike the embodiment of the highest ideals of men and the loftiest aspira- tions of women, and that if in the na- ture of things it does not fall to the lot of women to step so prominently into the' life of action, their sphere of influence, the quiet and patient devel- opment of noble character in men, is a thing which should be forcibly magni- fied in any celebration of the achieve- ments of that character." THE WINNER ANNOUNCED. Miss Miriana Baker sang very effect- ively "Three Gi-een Bonnets" and "Life." A vocal solo, entitled "The Arrow and the Song," was rendered by Miss Lot- tie M. Kantner, accompanied by Miss Grace Barbey. George W. Wagner, acting as chair- man of the judges, announced that Miss Helen Strohecker had won the medal, which was handed to her by Mrs. Keim. Miss Grace Brane was given honorable mention. Miss Helen Fritch, one of the contestants, was unable to be present, owing to illness. Mr. Wagner stated that all the essays were worthy of com- mendation. Miss Strohecker is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin B. Strohecker, 39 North Ninth street. Miss Brane is a daughter of Rev. Dr. and Mrs. C. I. B. Brane, 519 North Ninth street. Mrs. Keim, the Regent, delivered an interesting address on "General Wash- ington in Berks County." It was an ex- cellent effort and closely foUov/ed by the audience. i 'The exercises closed by the singing of "America," the audience standing during the rendition of the last stanza, WASHINGTON IN BERKS. In presenting the medai to the sue- I ' cessful essayist, Mrs. Keim read an in- i teresting paper on "General Washing- Iton in Berks County." She said, in tne course of her address: ,?>-7 . \ J. ^ NX < I ^ 0^ ^ c.) i $10 FOR MEMORIAL HALL At Saturday's tneefm^ ^' ti^e :^rks County Chapter, D. A. R., th/re ii^^re 44 members present and there were many interesting features. The music was unusually fine. The Haage quintet sang charming German songs. The quintet is composed of: George D. Haage, August Bischoff, Robert Bischoff, Leon Bettig and Ed- ward Schumann. The chapter voted $10 to be given to Memorial Continental Hall fund at the time of the dedication. Each state will give a sum of money at that time. The papers of Mrs. H. A. Acker, who is to became a member of the chapter, i were passed upon. The resignation of Mrs. William Purdy, because of re- moval to. another city, was received. The refreshments were appropriate to Washington's Birthday. There was a cherry in the centre of each ice and stand tart hatchets were served. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS lllllllliiill 011 801 983 L