The Old Union Flag

In the neighborhood of the Central School, a reporter was attracted by noises issuing from the old Sixth Street school building. He approached and found a group of the boys of Hook Company No. 1 busy in decorating the room and making preparations for their regular Saturday dance. The principal ornaments consisted of evergreens and a huge flag—the old town flag. It was being nailed in large loops and folds to the ceiling, and many a rip and rent were noticed in the broad stripes. Being desirous of learning something of its history, the reporter learned that in 1863, during the Civil War, local loyal citizens were anxious to procure a large Union flag. David Kellogg circulated a subscription list and raised about $100, purchasing the finest English bunting from Victoria, B.C., to make a flag of fifty by thirty feet. At that time, many leading men of this city were Democrats and sympathized with the South, refusing to contribute to what they called the 'old abolition rag.' However, a Union League was organized, with meetings held in a drug store near the corner of Mill and Commercial streets. The ladies of the city gathered in Yesler's Hall and sewed for weeks on the flag. When completed, it was raised on a pole 100 feet high on the public square, now occupied by the Occidental Hotel. Five different times did the loyal ones celebrate the fall of Richmond. One of the old pioneers said: 'If the city does not want to take care of that old flag, give it to me and I will devote one of the best rooms in my house to it.' Let the city take better care of this old relic, or let it be returned to some member of the old Union League.