Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1894-10-23
eENEnoug pEEps Is vs. r1,rEg.


Let me digress here for a moment to show
the gener Gus heart of Mr.. Rouss in war time
If merchant had the goods in those days
there were unlimited opportunities for dis
posing of them at high prices. During those
dark times Mr.. Rouss showed in many ways
that he was a true phiIanthropist Here is q
single incident to demonstrate the unselfshness
of the man. The following was printed in
the Winchester Republican thirty years ago:
''Instanccs of libcrality toward the State
and Confederate Government have been nu-
merous, and have been rightfully recorded by
the press. But instances Of libeTality toward
the poor aud needy, on the part of business
men, are of far more unfrcquent occurrence
and constitute the exception rather than the
rule a friend in need is q friend indeed,
and he who conducts his business operations
in these times of war, so as to afford life and
sustennnce to the poorer clusscs rather than
to accumulate wealth gives evidence of gen
uine disinterested patriotism. ard builds for
himself Il monument more attractive than the
polished work of the EcnlptOr's hand.
The desire TO nmass riches. even at the cX-
pense of grinding down the poor, has been go
frequent and fully demonstrated on the part
of business men in general that one conduct
ing operations under different plan is nc
counted the wonder of the community. We
have been led Into these remarks by circum-
stance which laTcly came under our ObservG-
ton. The eSorbitaut prices demanded for tine
necessary article of salt having attracted the
attention of our cnterprising gO-ahead towns
man, C. b. Rouss. that gentleman dispatched
an agent to the salt works in Southwestern
Virginia with instructions TO buy GOO sacks
to be furnished to his customers and the poor
of the town atas low price as possible. Ow-
ing to the destruction OF the bridges on some
of the roads and the occupation of others in
transporting government freight, only n por-
tion of the salt had reached Strasburg. On
its arrival there the following Geographic cor
respondence took place:
''strasburg. Nov. rs.
sacks of salt here OF yours. ] am offered
81 600 for it. Answer. JOHN FLEMING.
"Wincheste-, Nov. IS.
"John Fleming: Ten thousand dollars
would not buy it. Z. B. ROUSS
Son the arrival of the salt at Winchester
and before il was unloadcd from the wagon
Mr.. ROuss was offered S14 sack for it, but
he refused the tempting bait. on the ground
that he had purchased it for the purpose of
accommodation, not speculation. The entire
stock of salt was disposed of at - sack. no
purchaser being allowed more than one sack
Mr. Rouss has the proud consolation of kEow-
ing hat Ia refusing large pecuniary gain he
has added to the comfort and health of a large
class in this community.
I'm the article of sugar similar liberality
has been displayed by Mr.. ROuss. HogEhcad
after hOgsheud mas been rctaicd out by that
gentleman ut twelve and q half cents a pound,
when ~ and - cents per pound could have.
been realized We have alluded to this trans
action not for the purpose of pufFiug Mr.
Rouss, but with the hope that Others seeing
his good example will be constrained to 90
and do likewise 1t will give them n pleasinnr
prominence in the community, whilst at the
same time a consciousness of duty well per
formed will administer to their happiTcss
through life. Would that men of Industry.
energy and humanity such us ia exhibited NV
Mir. Charles g. Rouss were more plentiful"