Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1895-11-19
Tributes to Charles broadway
Rouss.
Poem Read and Oratfon Deliuered
atAe Laying ofthe Cornerstone
ROUSS ENGINE HOUSE
.ofthe Union Fire Company IN Yin
chester, Va.

This structure, when completed,
will be monument forever to that
unselffsh. unequaled, never tiring,
little prince, philanthropic benefac-
tor and cheerful giyer, Charles
Broadway Rouss.-W Win. Times.
The poem written by Miss Kate
McVicar and read by Rev. DR.. John
P. Hyde was as follows:
TO CHARLES BROADWAY RoUss.
Long years ago, barefoot boy oft wended
His way unto the little village store.
Ambitious thoughts within his soul was stir
ring, g
And life's stern lessons conned he o'er and
sTn write Excelsior . said he, .'on my ban
III climb the Alpine heights to gain success,
And then III help each weaker brother on
ward,
And use my power humanity to bless"
So on and on, with steps that never faitercd,
He climbed the mountain, and he crossed
the glen.
LIS way AGu-O CT buC dCSCA
But still he kept his faith with fellow-men:
Sometimes a prison walls closed in around
him,
But even then his courage was the same,
And on its walls he carved this daring legend
81 yet win win my way to wealth and fame. :
Brave men succeed, and he among the bravest
Has battled with ill-fate, and nobly won;
So high upon the roll of honor place him
Because of all the generous acts he's done.
Mt. Hebrons walls speak of his noble nature
Our cherished dead are guarded by his care
That gift alone stamped him royal giver,
And grateful hearts we must forever bear.
And by his aid the peerless Shawnee water,
Is blessing homes through all our town to-
day,
And many gift unknown to all but Heaven
Hast cast DER human hearts frightened
ray.
And he who judges all men by their actions
Cares more for human love than all oul
creeds,
And he prays best who helps the weak and
helpless,
One lives Religion most in noble deeds.
But oft he pauses midst life's busy battle
To turn his thoughts where Charlie lies
asleep,
He sees the blue tint of the distant mountain
He secs the sunbeams fall, the shadows
creep.
And all around him lies our lovely valley,
His boyhood home, the place where he will
rest
The city where his name is fondly cherished,
The city that his heart doth hold the best.
For we'll he loves the Vale of Shenandoah,
The spots made sacred by n glorious past,
And mid the wealth and grandeur all around
He keeps some sacred memories firm and
fast.
So neither time nor distance can us sever,
Or even make his faithful heart forget,
And tho the world in darkness lies around
him
His heart and mind still keep their vision
yet.
speak for Firemen, men so true and gallant,
Ready when danger calls to do and dare,
1 speak for them unto the Friend of Firemen,
Whose name this splendid hall will proudly
bear.
oh Rouss! the Union gives in dedication
The building that shall rise here unto thee,
And when thy name no more our hearts il
thrilling
Pcrished must every grateful impulse be.
And so the Cornerstone to-day we're laying
VIII keep thy memory to future time,
When other lips will tell thy noble actions,
And other poets weave them in their rhyme
"God bless Rouss," each heart to-day is say
ing,
Warm glowing thanks we render unto thee
And while our Union Company is living
This noble Hall shall thy Memorial be.
Hon. r. T. Barton in his able ad-