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Lincoln flag debate highlights discord at historical society MILFORD, Pa.: This uncivil war that has split the board of trustees revolves around whether its flag is a national treasure or merely a legend. By Tom Leek The Times Herald-Record tleek@th-record.com More than a century after Abraham Lincoln saved the Union, the Pike County Historical Society, home to a flag that may be stained with Lincoln's blood from the night of his assassination, is a house divided. On one side are Bill Kiger, president of the society's volunteer board of trustees, and all but one trustee. On the other: The society's paid director, Charles Clausen, and the other trustee, treasurer Norm Gasbarro. The flag divides them. Bitterly. Clausen and Gasbarro say the society doesn't have enough proof to tout its prized possession, the flag, as a genuine national treasure. They want it called a legend. Kiger and company rally behind the flag with the party line: It's the real thing. This house is so divided that for an hour yesterday afternoon at what was supposed to have been a trustees meeting, Clausen publicly aired his differences with Kiger and the board of trustees that hired him a year ago. Clausen accused board members of numerous wrongs against him, including writing poison pen letters, saying disparaging things about him – even possibly discriminating against him. "It's not true, any of it," Kiger said. "You're making things up, Charlie." Clausen said he feels he has been so wronged by the society, that every trustee should resign. They refused. Kiger stopped Clausen's presentation after an hour. "This is a spectacle," Kiger said. "It's a disgrace to the society and we're not going to allow it to go on." Afterwards, Clausen said he was going public because he feels he's right. And because he "couldn't tolerate the pressure these people were putting on me. ... they just tear apart everything I do." Kiger said Clausen and the society are mismatched. Trouble is, Clausen's not resigning. And though they've been at odds for months, the board has made no move to fire him. Gasbarro, Clausen's lone public supporter, said he is "sickened" by the internal workings of the society and will resign in a matter of days. Kiger said he has appointed a committee of board members to look into Clausen's questions. "No one has ever said that some of the ideas Norm and Charlie have presented aren't interesting," Kiger said.