the 8th of February, 1776, "an elegant standard, such as is to be used
by the commander-in-chief of the American navy; being a yellow flag with
a representation of a rattlesnake in the middle in the attitude of going
to strike." Another was a white flag with a pine-tree in the centre
under which was a snake. Above was "An Appeal to God," and below "Don't
Tread on Me!" The Culpepper Minute-Men adopted a similar device, with
the name of their company and the motto "Liberty or Death." Another use
of the rattlesnake was upon a ground of thirteen horizontal alternate
red and white stripes, the snake extending diagonally across the
stripes, and the lower white stripe bearing the motto "Don't tread on
me." The snake was always represented as having thirteen rattles--and
the number thirteen seems constantly to have been kept in mind: thus,
thirteen vessels are ordered to be built; thirteen stripes are placed
upon the flag; in one design thirteen arrows are grasped in a mailed
hand; and in a later one thirteen arrows are in the talons of an eagle.
[Illustration]
The red stripes seemed for a time to be used as often on a blue ground
as on a white. A water-color drawing found among the papers of
Major-General Philip Schuyler represents the _Royal Savage_, one of the
little fleet on Lake Champlain in the summer and winter of 1776,
commanded by Benedict Arnold, as flying a flag which Bancroft, in his
_History of the United States_, describes as "the tricolored American
banner not yet spangled with stars, but showing thirteen stripes,
alternate red and white, in the field, and the united crosses of St.
George and St. Andrew on a blue ground in the corner."
[Illustration]
One of the most interesting flags of the Revolution is the banner or
flag of Count Pulaski, presented to him by the Moravian Sisters of
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Count Pulaski, a Polish volunteer, who had been
appointed a brigadier in the Continental army just after the battle of
Brandywine and placed in command of the cavalry, had resigned his
commission, and had received the consent of Congress to raise and
command an independent corps of 68 horse and 200 foot, which was chiefly
raised and fully organized in Baltimore in 1778. He visited Lafayette
while wounded, and was taken care of by the Moravian Sisters, who gave
him a crimson silk banner with designs beautifully wrought with the
needle by their own hands. Pulaski bore this flag through many a battle,
until he fell at Savannah in 1779. It is now in the possession of the
Maryland Historical Society.
[Illustration]
The flag of Washington's Lifeguard, which is preserved in the museum of
Alexandria, Virginia, is of white silk, on which the device is neatly
painted. One of the guard is holding a horse, and in the act of
receiving a flag from the Genius of Liberty, represented as a woman
leaning on the Union shield, near which is an American eagle. The motto
of the corps, "Conquer or Die," is on a ribbon over the device. The flag
flown by our victorious frigates during the war of 1812 bore fifteen
stripes and fifteen stars. Afterwards it was settled that the number of
stripes should be the original thirteen; and now the field bears
forty-five stars, to which others will be added as new States are
admitted.
[Illustration: INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT]
The Oak Park High-School, of the Cook County League, starts out this
season with more men qualified for positions on the football team than
any of its rivals, having twenty-seven available players. Evanston has
the smallest available amount of material, with but fifteen men. Lake
View has twenty-four, Chicago Manual twenty-three, North Division
twenty-one, West Division eighteen, and Hyde Park and Englewood
seventeen each. These numbers show a considerable increase of candidates
over previous years.
There is a very general opinion among those who have been watching the
form of the Englewood H.-S. team that they have the pennant won already;
and they are beyond doubt very strong. Nevertheless, they cannot hope to
overcome some of their hard-working rivals without a continuation of the
steady work which has characterized their early practice. In Teetzel
they have a strong and sure ground-gainer. He is a fast runner, and
knows the game thoroughly. Henry is also certain to make his distance
with the ball, although he has been unable to practise the past few days
on account of injuries received in the Chicago University match.
Talcott, captain and quarter-back, is a quick player, and is the best
man on the eleven for heading interference. Fowler at centre is
handicapped slightly by his stature, but he is of good strength, learns
quickly, and has had experience in playing his position on last year's
team.
At right guard Doud is doing steady work. He played on the Chicago
Manual team last year. On the other side of centre there is another
veteran--Lespinasse. He is a stockily built player, and helps to make
the centre a formidable thing to attack. Schoellenberger at right end
has been doing excellent work in breaking up interference; and besides
this he is a sure tackler and a fast runner, both excellent qualities
for an end rusher. Wadsworth is doing fairly well at full-back, having
gone back from end, where he played last year. His previous experience
in the line makes him a good running back, but as a punter he is not yet
up to the mark.
[Illustration: HYDE PARK HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM.
Cook County Interscholastic League.]
The Hyde Park H.-S. Eleven averages heavier than last year's team--130
pounds. Only four of last year's players are back again. The team this
fall is not so snappy and quick as the Hyde Park elevens usually have
been, but it is very probable that this quality will develop by the time
the important games come about. It is improbable, however, that Hyde
Park will have as strong an eleven as that which represented the school
last year. Captain Linden, who plays left end, is a quick, hard runner,
and is thoroughly familiar with the game. Knickerbocker and Miller,
right and left tackles, are the heaviest men; of the two, Miller is the
better man, being a good tackler. Knickerbocker is somewhat slow in
getting down the field. Nash and Crane are pretty light for guards; but
Nash has been playing a hard game, and has been doing notably good work
in running with the ball. Crane is a new man, but is developing
steadily. Mackay, at centre, was considered last year the best man for
his position in the Cook County League, and is still maintaining his
reputation. Hennessy, at right end, to be valuable should make better
use of his head and follow the ball more closely; he is energetic and a
hard worker. Of the candidates for right half-back, Higley is the best
of the three, being a surer tackler than either Wilson or Pingree.
Minnemyer and Welch are trying for left half, the former being the best
tackler, the latter the fastest runner. Trude, at full-back, is as fast
a runner as there is on the team, and is punting very well this year.
SHADY-SIDE ACADEMY FOOTBALL PLAYERS, PITTSBURG.
[Illustration: HUMBIRD, Left end.]
[Illustration: SCHILDECKER, Captain and right tackle.]
[Illustration: HAWKINS, Left guard.]
In the first practice game, two weeks ago, the Shady-Side Academy eleven
of Pittsburg played a fast and snappy game, but a few days later the
team showed up very poorly, and the work was exceedingly slow.
Arundell's work at full-back is not entirely satisfactory; he is not
improving in punting, and his general play is poor. In consequence it is
probable that McConnell, who was at Cheltenham last year, will play that
position. Dravo, at half-back, is a new man, but has been doing
unexpectedly good work. He uses his head and does not fumble the ball.
T. McConnell, at quarter, is one of the most promising players on the
team; he keeps cool, tackles hard, and gets into the interference well.
It is doubtful at present whether Jennings will play centre or guard; if
he goes in at guard, Aley will hold down centre. Hawkins and Brainard
are the most promising candidates for the other guard's position. The
principal thing in Hawkins's favor is that he is a steady man and
maintains a good average style. Captain Schildecker is improving rapidly
in his position at right tackle, but the same spot on the other side of
the line is not so well taken care of by Flinn. The ends are Kirke and
Humbird; the former is putting up a hard, fast game, tackles hard, and
gets into the interference well; the latter is a new man, but promises
to develop well, especially in tackling.
The Kiskiminetas team of the same League will average about 150 pounds
this year. McKelvey at full-back is punting well, and has developed into
a strong line-backer. Carrol at left half-back is a good ground-gainer,
and maintains a steady average of play. Captain Aiken is playing
quarter; his strongest point is tackling, and he is thoroughly familiar
with the fine points of the sport, and makes a good commander. Herron
and Woodbridge, the ends, run and tackle well, and although they are not
brilliant players, they are careful and steady in their work. There is
room for improvement in Kelso at right tackle and Fisher at centre.
Henry and Shaw, the guards, are heavy men, and interfere well, so
likewise does Montgomery at right tackle. Although the eleven is not so
heavy this year as the team which Kiskiminetas put into the field last
season, it is playing a faster and snappier game.
It does not look very much at present as if the Hartford High-School
would come out with any very great honors at the close of the football
season. At the present date of writing Hartford has not only lost every
game played, but her men have not yet succeeded in scoring a single
touch-down. This is a very sad state of affairs for such a reliable
old-timer as Hartford. H.P.H.-S. lost the Meriden game, 16-0. The play
on that occasion was exceedingly ragged, the interference was loose; in
centre plays not more than half the men seemed to get into the game; on
the defence the ends could not get at their men at all, and on the whole
it was a pretty sorry exhibition of football.
Meriden, on the other hand, played a steady game, and although their
performance was not brilliant, it was of the kind that insures victory.
The best individual work was done by Lane and Hubbard for Meriden,
whereas for Hartford Captain Sturtevant was about the only man who
deserves mention. In the game against the Yale Freshmen Hartford played
a little better, but they were up against heavier men, and were unable
to make any points. In the New Britain game Hartford's play was again
ragged, there being not even an attempt at team-work, whereas the New
Britain players were especially strong in this feature.
As to individual play, McDonald, Brinley, and Meehan of New Britain were
the most conspicuous. Of the Hartford players, Sturtevant, Strong,
Allen, and Gillette surpassed in individual work the best performances
of their opponents, but this was of little avail where team-work lacked.
It seems now very probable that New Britain will win the Connecticut
championship this year. The team has already defeated Bridgeport, 14-0,
Waterbury having defeated Hillhouse, 4-0, on the same day.
There seems to be more activity in football in the South this year than
ever before, and it is probable that a number of interscholastic leagues
will be organized. At Richmond, Virginia, the High-School is turning out
a pretty good team, which promises to be better in every respect than
that of 1895. If a league is formed it will probably include the
High-Schools of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Fredericksburg, Suffolk, Danville,
Petersburg, and Richmond.
In Washington the Central High-School seems to have the heaviest eleven
this year, although all three high-school teams are light. The season is
not far enough advanced yet for any detailed criticism of the work done
to be justly made, but it is probable that within a few weeks the raw
material will have been coached and moulded into fair condition.
It is gratifying to note, in connection with the comments concerning the
Milwaukee High-Schools last week, and the rather questionable spirit of
sportsmanship which was growing there, that the East Side High-School
has taken steps for the purification of athletics that ought to bring up
all questionable practices with a sharp turn.
A code of regulations has been adopted by the faculties of the three
leading High-Schools of Milwaukee, and although it seems perhaps a
little startling to us here in the East to find in it such a paragraph
as "No person shall enter a contest under an assumed name," still there
may have been very good cause for this sort of severity. One thing about
the regulations is certain: If they are lived up to, Milwaukee
High-School sports will be of the cleanest, and of a very high grade
besides.
Not only must any person who wishes to represent a school in any
athletic contest of the Milwaukee High-School League be a _bona fide_
student in regular attendance at his school, but he must obtain a
scholastic standing of at least seventy per cent. He must also have
obtained seventy per cent. in two full studies during the previous term,
or must have obtained credits in three full studies during his last term
of attendance. But, of course, pupils who are enrolled for the first
time will not be excluded from athletics for lack of percentages and
credits which naturally they cannot have, not having been members of the
school during the previous term. A further provision allows a student of
the Senior class, who is considered by the faculty as a regular
candidate for graduation, to participate in any contest even if he has
taken less than three full studies at the school, provided, however, he
has completed extra work which shall entitle him to a credit in each of
the three full studies of the regular curriculum of Senior year.
The rules even go so far as to include managers of teams within these
restrictions; so that thus any student who is connected with an athletic
team, either in an active or an executive capacity, must have a high
standing in his classes and be altogether a reputable person. There are
thirteen paragraphs in all to the new code, but those which are not
included in the foregoing digest are such as we find in almost all
interscholastic leagues, with variations--making provisions for
arbitration committees, and filing the names of players a certain given
period before contests.
The schedule of the Long Island Football Association has been made out,
and the championship games will begin to-morrow, continuing as follows:
Oct. 21.--Brooklyn Latin School _vs._ St. Paul's School, at Garden City.
Oct. 24.--Brooklyn High-School _vs._ Pratt Institute, at Brooklyn.
Oct. 31.--Poly. Prep. _vs._ St. Paul's School, at Garden City;
Brooklyn Latin School _vs._ Brooklyn High-School, at Brooklyn.
Nov. 7.--Brooklyn Latin School _vs._ Pratt Institute, at Brooklyn.
Nov. 11.--Brooklyn High School _vs._ St. Paul's School, at Eastern Park.
Nov. 14.--Poly. Prep. _vs._ Pratt Institute, at Brooklyn.
Nov. 21.--Pratt Institute _vs._ St. Paul's School, at Garden City;
Poly. Prep. _vs._ Brooklyn Latin School, at Brooklyn.
Nov. 26.--Brooklyn High-School _vs._ Poly. Prep., at Eastern Park.
If we may judge from the character of the teams in the Long Island
League the championship games this year ought to make pretty fair
exhibitions of football playing. St. Paul's, Garden City, is going in
even harder than customarily, and will have as strong a team as has ever
worn the school colors. It will undoubtedly be the strongest eleven of
the Long Island League, and will take the championship there, but St.
Paul's chief ambition will be to defeat Lawrenceville, and even Andover,
if a game can be arranged with the latter.
The make-up of the team, is about the same as it was last year, except,
perhaps, that it is heavier. The rush-line is unusually heavy for a
school team and the backs, excepting quarter, are also of good weight.
Most of the men are veterans, only two being new to the team. These are
Kinney, at right guard, and Blount, at quarter-back. This is Kinney's
first year at football, but he is developing well, and has great
strength, having cultivated this at shot-putting. He weighs 190 pounds.
Blount, the other new man, is a Southerner who has never had much
experience at football, but he is showing unusual ability for the game,
and is rapidly improving under the coaching system prevalent at Garden
City.
As full-back Captain Sidney Starr is doing good work, and is running the
eleven in proper style. Starr is one of the most prominent of St. Paul's
athletes, having played on the school teams ever since he entered
school. He weighs 175 pounds, and besides being an excellent punter, he
makes a good running full-back. Last year Starr played at quarter a good
part of the time, alternating with Gardiner at full-back; but this year
he has preferred to let Blount try for quarter, there being no
first-class man among his candidates for the position he has taken
himself.
The half-backs are Weller and Goldsborough. The latter is an old-time
St. Paul's man, having played on the nine and eleven for several years.
He weighs 158 pounds, and is a hard runner, usually sure to gain his
distance. Weller, the left half-back, played end on the team last year,
and showed such good qualities as a line-backer that he was put back of
the line this season. He is a good tackler, too, and he is five pounds
heavier than his mate. The line is well protected by two good ends.
Lorraine has played two years on the team, and is a sharp tackler, with
a great capacity for breaking through the opponents' interference.
Lorraine is one of those players, however, who does not keep up to his
best work steadily, but is liable to have "on" and "off" days. This is a
misfortune which may possibly be overcome by coaching. A team made up of
players who have "on" and "off" days will be defeated nine times out of
ten by an inferior team of steady players.
At the other end of the line, White is a more steady player and an
exceedingly active rusher. Symonds and Brown are the tackles; they weigh
170 and 192 pounds respectively. Brown is a shot-putter and
hammer-thrower, and has great strength, which he uses to good effect
when his team is on the defensive. The centre is Cluett, who played last
year, and is doing good work at present. He is well guarded by Kinney
and Everett Starr. The latter has played three years on the team, and
knows the position thoroughly.
With so many veterans on the St. Paul's team, more time will be devoted
by the coaches to a cultivation of team-work than could otherwise be
possible; and so it is probable that when St. Paul's meets Berkeley in
their last game a few weeks hence we shall see an interesting exhibition
of scholastic football.
"TRACK ATHLETICS IN DETAIL."--ILLUSTRATED.--8VO, CLOTH, ORNAMENTAL,
$1.25.
THE GRADUATE.
[Illustration: STAMPS]
This Department is conducted in the interest of stamp and coin
collectors, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question
on these subjects so far as possible. Correspondents should address
Editor Stamp Department.
On October 3 the subscribers to the Philatelic club-house met in the
building which had been leased by the committee, and organized under the
title of "The Collectors' Club," adopted a constitution and by-laws,
elected governors, and arranged for incorporation. The board of
governors consists of William Herrick, president; Charles Gregory,
vice-president; J. W. Scott, treasurer; J. M. Andreini, secretary; and
Messrs. J. N. Luff, H. L. Calman, F. E. P. Lynde, H. E. Deats, and F. A.
Nast. The club-house is No. 351 Fourth Avenue, near Twenty-fifth Street,
and contains an auction-room, billiard-room, meeting-rooms for the
different societies, bedrooms, and janitor's rooms.
The second instalment of new prices for the U.S. stamps has been issued.
The Department stamps have been materially advanced. Newspaper stamps
and Postage Due stamps have not been changed radically. The U.S. used
stamps of all kinds have not increased in value compared with unused
copies.
The London "Philatelist," in an article on the stamps of Cape of Good
Hope Colony, states that the rare wood blocks were issued in April,
1861, and that no copies were in the main post-office of the colony in
September, 1861. But in 1878 the postmaster of Graaf Reinet found a
complete sheet of both the one penny and four pence in stock, and sold
most of them in the ordinary course of business.
Had these two sheets been preserved until to-day, probably $20,000 would
hardly buy them.
E. PERCY.--As you are a new beginner, I would advise you not to pay
any attention to water-marks, perforations, shades, papers, etc.
You will find enough to study in the stamps themselves
independently of these points. After you have a fair collection you
can then begin the study of these minor points, but to collect such
stamps means the spending of large amounts of money. All the
dealers now recognize the fact that these minor varieties, while
interesting to the advanced collector with a large bank account,
are of no interest to the average collector through his inability
to buy or even to ever see these scarce stamps. Hence the new
albums and new catalogues for ordinary collecting will embrace only
the regular stamps in their ordinary forms.
N. P. P.--The U.S. carrier's stamp, black on yellow (a double
circle), issued in 1849, if a good copy on original letter, is
worth $8 to $10. Cape of Good Hope Revenues are not collected in
the U.S.
G. BEARDSLEY.--Continental money is worth very little. In the
beginning of this century some people papered their rooms with it,
and one man covered a whole barn with the so-called money. You can
buy good copies of the dealers for 5c. or 10c. each.
GEORGE NEWHAM.--Stamps of "Tromsöe," "Stadspost," etc., are locals
of no value to collectors. To distinguish faint water-marks, dip
the stamp in benzine and place it face downward on a piece of
japanned iron. The benzine will not hurt the gum.
G. L. LINDSLEY.--The 5c. nickel without the word "cents" has no
premium value. Dealers sell it at 10c.
L. YUNGST.--The Spanish dollar, 1788, is no longer current. It is
worth so much bullion only.
N. J.--Your English gold coin has no premium value. It is worth its
full coinage value.
E. P. TRIPP.--"Ultramar" stamps are from Cuba. The Porto Rico
stamps of 1873-1876, with paraph also have "Ultramar" at the top.
On H.M.S. means On Her Majesty's Service. Gold quarters were never
coined by the U.S. government. Those now in circulation were made
chiefly by jewellers, and, as a rule, they do not contain more than
10c. worth of gold; the remainder is base alloy. Cut post-cards are
valueless.
J. LOWELL.--Do not remove gum from unused U.S. stamps. It would
lessen the value of the stamps from ten to fifty per cent.
A. DE GRAM.--I cannot identify your stamps by your description.
R. PARLS, P.O. Box 36, Ridley Park, Pa., wishes to exchange stamp.
W. MORROW.--Your stamp is U.S. Revenue 25c. Insurance; worth 10c.
E. C. CROSSETT.--There is no premium on the new silver
certificates, as they have not been recalled.
HIG.--See HARPER'S ROUND TABLE for October 6 for old and new prices
of unused U.S. stamps. Used copies remain about the same, except
Columbian, which have been reduced. The 1861 5c., used, is worth
35c.; the 24c., 25c.; the 1869 1c., 40c.; the others mentioned by
you are less than 10c. each.
GEORGE S. LORD, 815 High Street, Bath, Me., wishes to exchange
stamps. Inverted medallions occur in stamps printed in two colors.
Sometimes the sheet was turned, and one color design was printed
upside down.
CARL HATHAWAY.--The handy-book is now out of print. You can buy a
catalogue of stamps from New York dealers at 10c.
H. MCLOUGHLIN.--The 1824 half-dollar is very common.
G. HULL.--I do not understand your question. The Mexican silver
dollar contains more silver than the U.S. dollar. If you want to
sell Mexican dollars, you can get about 45c. or 50c. each. If you
want to buy, they will cost you 55c. each.