Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1896-01-15
and council of this place.

covers were laid. The hall was DeauIi-
fully decorated and it was one of the
most successful banquets ever given here.
The menu consisted of oysters in various
styles, meats, salads, reIishes, deserts and
wines. Judge Frank Beckwith was
POSTMASTER, and as he announced the
first toast, Company B" there was tire
mendous applause Postmaster General
Wilson responded to this toast in elo-
quent terms, recalling many of the gal
liant charges and deeds of bravery of this
historic body of soldiers.
Mr.. Wilson then went into personal
anecdore. and told many stories on his
old comrades. Mr. Milton Rouss re-
sponded to Chew's Battery" and Hon.
VIM. S. Thompson, of Atlanta, to "Our
Fallen Comrades" and referred to some
pathetic scenes in which his comrades
lost their lives. The toast, "Our Living
Comrades, was responded to by Lieut.. b.
c. Washington in a manner that elected
the applause of his hearers. Other toasts
were announced and responded to as fol-
lows: First Squadron" by Lieut.. John
Rust, of Virginia; Cut OFF at Frying
Pan" Capt George Baylor; "The Raid
ON Front Royal" by IL. d. Beall ;
Brandy Station" 10y SeTgt. Seth NJ.
Timberlake. "War "reminiscences" wfs
responded to by Mr. Thomas W. Timber
lake.
After the banquet there was beauti-
ful display of fireworks from the bell
tower of the new building. The whole
building was Illuminated aud decorated
aud made a brilliant appearance.
THE NEW BUILDING.
The Independent Fire Company was
organized in 1884 with fifty members at
public meeting of prominent citizens OF
this place. a charter was obtained and
officers elected. Mr.. j. c. Holmes was
captain and has been re elected annually
ever since. The company took quarters
in the old council building, consisting of
two small rooms. This building was too
small for the enterprising company and
Captain Holmes determined to erect
handsome, commodious building The
inception of Charles Broadway Rouss
Memorial Hall arose from the necessity
OF building to accommodate the fire
company. Captain Holmes. who is a
skilled architect, prepared drawing and
specifications. The company made sew
eral efforts to obtain q site without sue
cess, but at last obtained lease for nine
ty nine years for part of Market-house
lot, fronting on George street.
The money with which to erect the
building was the next problem that con-
fronted the company, and here Captain
Holiness indomitabe energy and public
spirit again showed themselves. He an
dertook the task. The fire company had
but $3.50 in its treasury. The secretary
Of the company, Mr.. w. G. Earnshaw.
began correspondence with Mr. Rouss,
who on previous occasions had shown his
friendship and lberaliiy to the company.
Mr.. Rouss agreed 10 donate $1,000 to-
ward the building provided the company
raised similar amount. Subsequently
Mr.. Rou.s gave $500 more The cOmpa-
nv made contract with the town coun-
ell for $500 in consideration Of coun-
cil-room and lock up in the building
Captain Holmes began the erection Of
the building in July 1895.
Several members of the company gave
their labor and others contributed ma
terial and money The structure is of
modern Romanesque architecture, built
of brick, three stories. with man.ard roof,
two towers, and flag staff for national en-
sign aud one for the compauy's flag
The first floor is occupied by engine room,
council room, lock up and stair hall the
second floor by fremen's hall, and the
third as q Masonic lodge hall. The front
of the building has native stone base,
with large centre doors, surmounted by
steel balcony, large arches over windows
and DOOR, and bears the inscriptions,
&C. Broadway RouSs Memorial Hail."
independent Fire Company" The cost
Of the building Is $4,000