Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1896-01-15

erected by the Independent Fire Com
pmy, took place at two o'clock Friday
afternoon in the Fireman's Hall, on the
second -four Of the building. The dedi-
catory exercises, Capt. George Baylor
presiding, began with music by Charles
Town Cornet Band rendering a march,
"Firemen's Brigade" followed by prayer
by Rev. DR.. A. Z. Hopkins, of the Pres
byterian Church. Sergt. Seth NJ. Tim
berlake called the roll of Company b,
Twelfth Virginia Cavalry. The comPa-
nv made this the occasion for its first re-
union since the war. OF the eighty one
surviving members of the company the
following responded to the roll call -
Milton Rpuss, second lieutenant; George
Baylor. first lieutenant; b. G. Washing
ton. =. " Undertake, orderly sergeant;
j. H. Conklyn. second sergeant; VIM.
c Frazier. second corporal; Z. NJ. Ais
auth. Il. d. Beall, c. @. Conklyn, Phil
ip Copeland. John NJ. Conrad, Joseph h.
yesterday, John 5. yesterday, John :.
Grantham. John Z Hilbert, John Howell,
@. f. Hesser, B F. Lewis, John Lewis,
Elisha Lewis, F. J. Manning, VIM. 2.
Manning. Thomas Myers, w. ;. Mason,
T d. Ransom, B. B. Ransom, T. ). Red
man, W. J. Roberts, l. Il Strider, Tus-
tin Starry, L. L. Ssdler, W 5 Thomp-
son, J. 5. Undertake. T. w. Undertake,
5. d. Timberlake, George Undertake,
Harry Undertake, John T. russell,
Moses Trussell, r. L wysong. VIM. L.
Wilson, Mascu T. Young aud Charles J.
Manning.
Lieut. Milton Rouss made an interest
ing address Of welcome 10 Company B,
in which he referred to the cause which
led TO the organization of the company
and made it, youthful members respond
10 the patriotic call of their mother
State. lie gaze "reminiscences Of the
courage aud gallsntry of the company.
The address received the applause Of his
old comrades and the audience. The
"Rouss Medley Overture" prepared in
the memory of c II. B. Rouss, was then
rendered by the band.
The memorial address was made by
Postmaster General Wilson, and when
Olr. Wilson arose he was received with
tremendous applause. Mr. Wilson be-
gan his address Oy referring to the Occa-
sion which brought the company togeth
er, and then made some eloquent remarks
90 bis old comrades of Co. b, 10 which
be Was q private. lie said The building
of this memorial hall would mark "a point
I'm the history of Charles Town and be an
example Of the enterprise and energy of
the Independent Fire Company. When
he referred 20 Mr. Charles Broadway
Rou,s, through whose generosity the
building of this hsn wa- made possible,
and In whose honor il wss built, there
was a drafeniug applause. Mr.. Wilson
paid a beautiful tribute to the business
methods and iudomitsbe energy by
which Mr. Rouss amsssed a fortune, and
after smassing il, the generosity with
which he bestowed upon worthy persons
and causes his liberal gifts. This hall.
be said, is only another of those generous
gifts 10 "a good cause that will stand as
reminder of q man who loves his home
aud Acknowledgment.
At the close OF the address Captain
Baylor read the following message, which
Company sen, TO New York To Mr.
Rouss
Your comrades of Company b Bay
l0r's Cavalry, uow assembled, extend YOU
cprdial greeting, wishing You long life,
continued prosperity aud that happiness
which i. the due reward of your noble
acts and generous deeds
A telegram was read from Governor
O'Ferrsl, Of Virginia, who was once
squadron commander of Company B. sent
to Mr.. Milton Ruuss, second lieutenant:
My dear Rou,S While / cannot at
tend your reunion 70 day. nay whole heart
will oe with you ALL No Drawer band
than the first squadron, Twelfth Cavalry,
ever drew their blades for our Southern
land. Remember me 90 every survivor Of
Company B Their deeds OF bravery
will never fade from nv memory.
Sincerely. CHAS. 4. O'FERRALL"
Mr.. Chas " Hen.el. member of the
city council of Winchester. then made
an address on behalf of the council. who
attended in body His humorous re-
marks excited much laughter Mr.. W.
ID. Bri-coe, a citizen Of Jefferson county,
read an original poem, prepared for the
occasion
The memorial tablet placed upon the
wall behind the speakers stand, COM
memomting the memory OF c. II. b.
Rou,s. son OF Chas Broadway Rouss. and
whose death occurred in 1891, WAS then
unveiled by Capt c. Holmes, comman-
der Of the IRE company
Col. Forrest W Brown read a history
of the Independent Fire Company, Civ
ing several instances Of valuable work of
the company in saving property from fire.
Mr.. A. d. Barr, in eulogistic terms pre-
sented on behalf of the independent
Fire Company 10 their captain, J. c.
Holmes, gold badge, and Capt, Holmes
responded in a happy manner. The ex