Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-09-19
Water Works Celebration
and Grafton to G. u. RousS.

the water wOrks just cOIDpieleu-SNluS :"
the historic old town in addition 10 its al
ready generous supply, if needed, 1000, coo
gallons daily of pure spring water. Nearly
every house along the line of march of the
great procession was deliberately decorated
bunting in profusiOn was everywhere dis
played. The accession to the city's six thou
sand population for the day was at least ten
thousand-everybody in holiday attire and
in for a day of enjoyment. Mr.. Rouss, &C.
companied by Mr.. Erastus Wiman, of New
York, arrived by special train in the morn
ing. The parade is pronounced the largest
ever seen in Winchester. 1t was composed
of veterans who wore the gray and the blue
superb display of steam fire engines, reels,
hook and ladder carriages, all deliberately
dressed in bunting and flowers, and superb
music, including the famous "Stonewall
Brigade" band. Mr.. Rouss and ex.GOv.
Holiday rode in an open carriage.
As the parade passed the grand stand in
the fair ground cheer after cheer was given
to Mr.. Rouss and was responded to by q
wave of the hand. The exercises in the fair
ground were interesting and were as follows :
An address of welcome by Mr.. s. II. Hans
brough on behalf of the Shenandoah Val
ley Agricultural Society. After music by
the Stonewall Brigade Band Governor HOl-
liday formally turned over the water works
to the city. When the Ex-Governor stepped
to the front of the platform he was greeted
with applause. Gov. Holiday said in part:
"While we rejoice in the completion of an
enterprise which in this advanced age of ma
terial development is the richest boon that
can be conferred upon a community, we do
not, ought not, cannot forget by whose help
it was done. This celebration, in express
ing our joy, expresses far more deeply our
appreciation of the one through whose kind
ness it was rendered possible
Gle came poor boy into our midst forty
years ago, and, yet in his teens, began his
business life, and by his pluck, industry and
force forecast his future success. The war
coming on, his earnest nature and patriot
ism carried him into it, and, like us all, by
it he was left a wreck.
Defeated in arms but not in aim he dared
Fortune in the citadel Of her strength and
among his late foes and has been victorious.
In the tide of his prosperity he is not Obliy-
Il
ious of the spot where he first tried his wings
and whithersoeyer he goes he drags length
ening chain The memories and associa-
tions of his youth abide, and these are what
make him so conspicuous. 1t is not that he
has won money-many men do that, and
alas many men do it to their everlasting
shame lit is, that he has not allowed, as is
ofttimes the case, his soul to be swallowed
up in self-but with his advancing years,
his prosperity blossoms out, more and more,
into gentlest benefactions. This is ever the
noblest of human lives, and teaches the pro-
found and beautiful truth, that
ut is the heart and not the brain,
| Which to the highest doth attain"
Governor Holiday then read beautiful
poem written by n lady of Winchester and
dedicated to Mr.. Rouss as from the ladies
of Winchester.
Mayor Thomas n Lupton accepted the
water works in behalf of the city from Gov
ernor Holiday in an excellent speech. At
ter opening in humorous vein, Mr.. Lupton
said: There must be some mistake about
all this talk you hear about a Democratic
| administration being the cause of hard
times. | see nothing in what is before me
to indicate hard times, and this is a Demo-
cratic city" He referred to the late war
and the many battles at Winchester, to
Washington's Fort and the many historical
points in and around the old city. Mr..
| Lupton referred to the many donations Mr.
Rouss has given to the city, and in closing
he said, "In the name of and for all the peo-
pie of Winchester, | accept the trust Of the
princely gift so graciously bestowed"
Mr.. Charles w. Hensell, in happy
speech, presented to Mr.. Rouss the handsome
scroll, the engrossed resolutions of thanks
passed by the Winchester city council and
by mass meeting Of citizens. It's of beau
tiful workmanship, 4 by feet, and rests on
a cherry easel 10 feet high. At the top of
the canvas is the coat of arms of Virginia
and in bold letters The City of Winches-
ter, Va" AT the top Of the easel is the fol-
lowing inscription, cut in the wood and
gilded "City of Winchester to Charles B.
Rouss." The resolutions are signed by the
mayor members of the special water COM
mittee, members Of the city council, city
treasurer and the president and clerk Of the
council. Mr.. Hensel ssid it was a slight
testimonial of the high esteem in which Mr..
Rouss is held by the people Of Winchester
At the CONCLUSION Of Mr. Hensel's address
the thousands took up the yell and it was
echoed over the association grounds.
Mr.. Rouss, in accepting the scroll, re-
sponded to Mr.. Hensell in feeling speech
To prevent any possibility Of repeating any
thing that had been said by the speakers
before him, Mr. Rouss proposed to go back
fifty years, when as 4 poor boy be crossed
Apple Pie Ridge and came to Winchester
to start life He told many little anecdotes
in connection with biz business before the