Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1896-01-14


and as wo look back in retrospect we Ind
another strong and striking advance In the
affairs of the locality. The young Fire Com
pany which ton years ago was doomed by
prophecy and sentenced by public opinion, 10
greatbrevity Of life and premature dissolution,
has conceived, constructed and completed o
permanent monument 10 its thrift and energy,
and a fitting memorial to its generous bene-
factor. This hall that we complete to-day
aud place upon the scroll of accomplished
facts, is the best and latest effort of the sub
jcct of this history. 1t was conceived last
year in the fertile brain of its long time Cap
tain and finished by the earnest co operation
of the enrolled members of the Company.
With such men as compose it. to plan Is to
execute, and to execute is success. The chaste
and ready pen of the old reliable, tho yir-
ginia Free Press, has well expressed the en-
comium due to him who thus planned and
built:
Generations after the present has passed
away the Ronss Memorial Hall Building,
which will be dedicated on Friday next will
stand us a monument to the energy, public
spirit, love of the home of his adoption. and
skill as an architect and builder of Mr.. Julius
c.. Holmes. He conceived it; promoted 1t;
and superintendent the building mall its parts
and in every detail. great aud small. he be-
gan it with one hundred dollars in hand and
nothing in sight. BY faith he saw the sue
ccssful end from the hegiuing. Friday will be
y great day for julius G. Holmes.
Thanks should be. extended to the enterpris-
ng authorities of the town, the Honorable
Mayor and Council for their donation of the
ground and their monetary assistance in erect
ifg their offices therein. Unstinted praise is
the Just need of the public spirited gentleman
whose name it bears for his kindly and Ell
cient aid. Public Acknowledgements should
not be withheld to the generous mechanics
for their gift OF labor, and their skill in the
art of building Were the $500 still due upon
it paid off and discharged, this sketch would
be completed. 1 should like to conclude it to-
night. AYflc struggle with self, a little lib
erality ga the part of onr citizens here assem-
bled, might bring this day of general good
feeling to u happy conclusion, and clear away
all the briars from the future pathway, and
enable the historian to say that this modest
little chapter on local events has been
finished up to date.
POEM OF w. d. BRIscoE.
Mr.. w. D, Briscoe, in introducing his poem,
said: 1 am only here, my old comr AIDES and
friends, Cn the absence of nnother,) to add
my heartfelt greeting to the many that will
WclcOmc you ucTe lo-uuy; uuu W tniO" NY
pebble on the cairn of those days which. tho
dead are yet undying. 1t is more than four
and thirty years ago since IL embattled
thunder reverberatcd through the hills and
valleys of Virginia, and yet
To memory gray, DER battered walls,
The border .watch-fres glow;
And the bugle's echo wildly calls,
Borne out of long ago.
Like the muffied roar of waves that beat,
With the seas conyulsiyc flow,
L hear the sound of the chargers feet
Borne out of long ago.
All, wild the charge-and wilder broke
'Bovc Rappahannock's flow,
The Rebel yell and sabre stroke,
Borne out Of long ago.
Oh, memories of the true and brave!
Your glories brighter glow
AS sunlight on some stormy wave,
Borne ont of long ago.
''semper fdelisl'' ye scorned to yield,
Aud only want and woe
Beat down at last the spotless shield,
Borne out of long ago.
Your Swords ure rust, ''-immortal the trust,
Archcd with u glory we know,
That only is just, and cherished by us,
Borne oat of long ago.
And III years unborn to him whog ave
With generous hand, will aow
Sweet anthems to that soldier brave,
Borne out of long ago.
m. !. T.LL-N L.t ~