The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-04-07
Mr.. RIvES ELECTED CAPTAIN
OF the Roanoke Light Infantry
Last Night.
Tho Annual Meeting Hold at tho Ponce
de Leon ana the Boys Banquetted by
Colonel S. 8. Drookc-The Other Ofcers
Notwithstanding and Eloquent Re-
sponscs by Those Upon Whom the
Honors Were Bestowed.

Tho annual banquet of the Roanoke
Light 1nfanty Company was given last
night at the Ponce de Leon Hotel by
Lieut.-Col. S. S. Brooke, of the Second
Virginia regiment. The company formed
in ranks at the armory, on Roanoke
street, in full dress and marched to the
hotel at 8 o'clock.
The spacious dining room had been
especially prepared for the occasion.
The long table had boon brought into
rcquisition and was loaded down with
everything calculated to tempt tho APP
petite of an epicuroan. In the center of
the table was placed pot of beautiful
pink and yellow roses, while fruits and
confectioneries were spread with
lavish hand. ~
around the table, and the chaplain.
Rev. w. c. Campbell, invoked bless
ing. Then the soldier boys sat down
and did full justice to the different
courses, which were served in elegant
style.
There was no mcnu card and no winc
Wine was not necessary. Col. Brooke
sat among the boys and his prescnce
gave them them life enongh
After all had enjoyed the colonel's
sumptuous hospitality, and the table
had been cleared, Colonel Brooke was
made chairman of the meeting. He an
nodnced that the company had again
met in annual session for the purpose of
electing officers. This Makes" said
the colonel, "the second year of our
nvictnnco 81.
great interest in your welfare. Ny
hearts desire is to SEQ you always in a
fiourishing condition. BE careful in
selecting your officers. On this depends
our success in the future"
The chair then declared nominations
in order.
Lieutenant Moss nominated Lieut.
b. A. Rives for captain No further
nominations were made, and Mr.. Riyes
was elected by reclamation.
There was general call for speech,
and the captain-elect arose with some
emotion and said that his election was
a surprise to him.
II have travelled in foreign lands; l
have seen soldiers of many nations, but
have seen mono to be compared with
tho Roanoke Light Infantry
NOW, my fellow-comrados, you must
not expect the captain to bear all the
burdens. Do not place everything on
his shoulders; mine are very small.
Let every one do his duty. There is
nothing that binds a man closer than
the life of soldier"
w. Is. Moss was nominated and
unanimously elected first lieutenant
Mr.. Moss said it battered him TO
think he had been elevated to the posi-
tion by his comrades in arms. 1t was
his aim to make his subordinates per-
feet in drill. He would endeavor to do
his duty, and asked that all stand by
him in the duty imposed.
Messrs. PretZman and Taliaecrro were
nominated for second lieutenant a
ballot was taken, resulting Pretzman,
IL; Taliafcrro, 10. The latter was de-
clared elected.
In accepting the office, Mr.. Taliaferro
| spoke little but appropriately. He
seemed surprised at the result and his
checks flushed rcd for a soldier. But he
was not confused and thanked them in
splendid style for tho honor conferred.
lie sat down amid a hearty applause.
| There was some contest between Cor
poral Hatcher, Sergeant Prctzman, and
Judge w. 5. Gooch for tho position of
| junior second lieutenant. Two ballots
werc taken. Tho second stood, prctz-
man, 10; Hatcher, is. Mr.. Hatcher was
declared elected.
Rev. w. c. Campbell was unanimously
reelected chaplain. lie thanked the
company for its repeated honor and
| promised to preach them an annual SER
mon sometime in May.
| lie spoke OF the great usefulness OF
military company in tho time of need,
and urged thom to stand firmly by the
organization. 1t was an honor to be n
soldier in q Virginia n ilitary company.
| Privates Woodson, Walthall and Ell .
lott were nominated for recording sec
| rotary. After the first ballot Mr.
Woodson was declared elected.
Private NJ. w. Turner was elected
financial secretary by reclamation.
Private IL. NJ. +. Loving was elected
treasurer and DIR. Gordon Simmons sur
gcon, both by acclamation.
This concluded the election Of officers.
and Colonel Brooke said he hoped to see
the company at its next annual session
in as equally flourishing condition. lie
| spoke of the possibility OF procuring an
armory and of the splendid equipments
of the company, all Of which, he said,
were credit to the city and people of
Roanoke.
Captain Rives said that before adj
iourning vote of thanks should be
rendered the best friend the company
ever had: man whom he was proud to
recognize as a superior officer. There
was seldom made better man than
Col. s. 5. Brooke. TO him vote of
thanks was due for the splendid
banquet. Then with rousing cheer
vote of thanks was rendered to the only
veteran among the company. He &C
cepted the honor feelingly, after which