Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1891-03-31
MISCELLANEOUS.
Charles sroadway Rouss.

Charles Broadway Rouss.
From lengthy article in the n. Y Dispatch
of late date, we make the following extracts
Tho promises of Charles B. Rouss, which
comprise u basement, sub-basement and ten
floors. is situated at $40, 551 aud 55s broadway,
New York. The building presents u very I'M
posing appearance, rising to q height OF 154
feet, and being surmounted by a dome equal to
that of tho World Office, 1t is certainly one of
the most conspicuous features of New York
City.
The departments arc 2s in number, and these
arc subdivided. On the Cd floor are the offices.
The correspondence Is enormous, extending to
all parts Of the world, In the different lau-
guages, one thousand letters beiug received
daily, and larger number going out. Here
may be met representatives OF the world, and
here views exchanged, which undoubtedly cx-
crt marked influence in the commercial af-
fairs of this country. The announcement is
devoted to packing, the basement to carpets
aud shades, the first floor to piece goods, wool
ems, etc., the second to jcwelry aud millinery,
the third to linens, laccs and curtains, the
fourth to notions, corsets. ETC., the fifth to
hosiery and gloves, the sixth TO stationery aud
books, the seventh to hardware, tinwaro, etc..
the eighth to clothing, cloaks and mems furn-
ishings. the ninth to shoes, trunks, canes,
cigars and art, the tenth exclusively to hats
and umbrellas,
1twould be difficult TO find anything. from
needle to an anchor. which is not comprised in
the immense stock carried. Tho terms and
conditions are wholesale only, no discount, net
cash next day after examination OF the goods.
never thirty days. The best idea can be obs
tanned as to terms aud conditions from tue
Rouss Monthly Auction Trade journal, which
will be forwarded free to auy address on APP
plication. The refcrcutes by special persnis-
sion arc those of leading banks in every State
III the Union aud Europe, aud nrc incontcstuble
proofs of tile soindncss of the firms business
operations.
The subject of our sketch was the son, of n
farmer, being onc OF the thousands Of recruits
to business life who have adorned every de-
partment of trade. He felt the desire for the
activities of business life, and carly displayed
his tendencies in this direction, his school life
being marked by many advantages, sSsnbpihg
of jacknivea and other boyish treasures, gen
orally with (" to-hoot" Though 1t was uu-
questionably the desire Of his relatives that he
should remain on tho farm, each day becoming
more irksome to him. making It very evident
that he was not cut out for a farmorslife, IIe
was educated ut the Winchester Academy and
when fifteen engaged with Mr.. Jacob Seus-
lency. who conducted aecountry store. THIS
gentleman was once offered apartpershIp by
George Peabody, the great London philantho-
pist aud banker, who was then IN business at
Georgetown with a stock valued at $4,000
In 1854. being Is, aud having by rigid econ
omy saved sufficient sum, lie determined to
make venture and eStaBiish business on
Main street, Winchester. This was successful
| lY conducted until 1862, when Winchester was
held by Federal troops. Mr.. Rouss, all oppor-
tunities for the safe conduct Of his growing
business being apparently lost, abandoned all
and enlisted us a private In the Confederate
army.
! After four yenrs of continuous service we
find Mr. Rouss In the city Of New York. with
ont penny in his pocket or a crust Of bread
to assuage his hunger. Strange to say. tliis
man of indomitablc will Fsaa not hooking for.
employment, he was determined 10 establish
business which should be known BY his name.
and that he was able to accomplish this, being
poor and penuiless, is only one of the many
difficulties which he has snrmounted He es-
tahlished an auction business Mt No 140 Duane
strect-this was sncccssfuL Branch honscs
were located in forty different cities. and what
appeared prosperous business future was
begun.
Mr.. Rouss failed through the credit system,
in 1875, having an Indebtedness of sR5, ,OO0.-
All his liabilities have since been paid dollar
for dollar, IS well as the ante-belium debts.
That his ideas were of the soundest nature
Is proved by the fact that, whereas the sales
were s50o, eco in 1876, they are now, we under
stand, between 5000 coo and 50 ,OOO. 900. A
magnificent business structure has been built
that cost 81 ,ooO, eco, and for which Mr.. Rouas
was offered, only few days, 81 .5oO, GOO. This
building being filed with stock valued at
81 ,50o,O GOO, all paid for. These substantial ey-
licences of great thrift aud progress, 10 say
nothing of large bank balance, prove phe-
nomenally successful business. The great pro-
gress has not been accomplished without self
denial and unremitting toll. From the moment
Mr. Rouss entered the precincts of New York
City ne commenced tremendous struggle.
which has ever since manifested great fore
sight, a determination by all honorable mems,
through taking advantage of every favorable
4 opportunity and by relying upon his own efforts
to carve out his own fortune Ar. Roufs is
found at his desk from six O'Clock in the morn
ing until cightin the evening, being unqHes-
tionably welded to his business.
The Monthly Auction Trade journal estao-
Iished in 1915, aud OF which 1000. 600 copies
are distributed yearly. having the largest sirA
! culation Of any monthly in the world. There
is published each month several columns from
tthe fertile brain OF Slr. Rouss, for he wields
the pen OF a ready writer