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


Yt,,ofnfn Cavalry.
The dedication of Charles Broadway
Rouss Memorial Hall, the new building
erected by the Independent Fire Com
many. took place at two o'clock Friday
afternoon in the Fireman's Hall, on the
second floor 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
nv Rev. DIR. A. q. Hopkins, of the Pres
byterian Church. Sergt. Seth NJ. Tim
berlake called the roll of Company B,
Twelfth Virginia Cavalry. The compa-
ny 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 Rouss, second lieutenant; George
Baylor, first lieutenant; B. G. Washing
ton, S. NJ. Timberlake, orderly sergeant;
J.. H. Couklyn, second sergeant VIM.
G. Frazier, second corporal e. NJ. Ais
quith, H. d. Beall, c. G. Conklyn, Phil
ip Copeland, John NJ. Conrad, Joseph n.
yesterday, John s. yesterday, John S.
Grantham, JohnE Hilbert. John Howell,
G. f. Hesser, B. F. Lewis, John Lewis,
Elisha Lewis, F. j. Manning, VIM. p.
s Manning, Thomas Myers, w. 5. Mason,
T. d. Ransom, b. B. Ransom, 7. s. Red
man, W. j. Roberts, l.. FL. Strider, Tus-
tin Starry, L. L. Sadler, w. s. Thomp-
son, j. S. 1imberlake. T. w. Timberlake,
S. d. Timberlake, George Timberlake,
Harry Timberlake, John Il. Trusscll,
Moses Trusseli, R. L. wysong. VIM. L.
Wilson, Mason e. Young and Charles j.
Manning.
Lieut.. Milton Rouss made an interest
ing address of welcome to Company B,
in which he referred to the cause which
led to the organization of the company
and made its youthful members respond
to the patriotic call of their mother
State. He gave reminiscences of the
courage and gallantry of the company.
The address received the applause of his
old comrades and the audience. The
"Rouss Medley OVERTURE" prepared in
the memory of G. 81. B. Rouss, was then
rendered by the band.
The memorial address was made by
Postmaster General Wilson, and when
Mr.. Wilson arose he was received with
tremendous applause. Mr.. Wilson be-
gan his address by referring to the occa-
sion which brought the company togeth-
err, and then made some eloquent remarks
to his old comrades of Co. B, in which
he was a private. He said the building
of this memorial hall would mark a point
in the history of Charles Town and be an
example of the enterprise and energy of
the Independent Fire Company. When
h referred to Mr.. Charles Broadway
Rou-. through whose generosity the
bulldinsof this hall was made possible,
and IN whose honor it was built, there
was a ~deafenpg applause. Mr.. Wilson
paid a beautiful. tribute to the business
methods and insomitable energy by
which Mr.. Rouss anAssed a fortune, and
after amassing it, the generosity with
which he bestowed upon Worthy persons
and causes his liberal gifts. This hall,
he said, is only another of thos, generous
gifts to a good cause that will stand as a
reminder of a man who loves his home
aud fellow. countrymen.
at the close of the address Captai,
Baylor read the following message, which
Company B sent to New York to MIR.
Rouss:
GgO.. -.o1ao &c r--.no-. d IDa-
lor's Cavalry, now assembled, extendyou
a cordial greeting, wishing you long life,
continued prosperity and that happiness
which is the due reward of your noble
acts and generous deeds"
A telegram was read from Governor
O'Ferrall, of Virginia, who was once
squadron commander of Company B, sent
to Mr.. Milton Rouss, second lieutenant {:
"My dear Rouss: While 1 cannot at
tend your reunion to-day, my whole heart
will be with you all. No drawer band
than the first squadron, Twelfth Cavalry,
ever drew their blades for our Southern
land. Remember me to every survivor Of
Company B.. Their deeds of bravery
will never fade from my memory.
Sincerely, CHAs. T. O'FERRALL."
Mr.. Chas. w. Hensell, member of the
city council of Winchester, then made
an address on behalf of the council, who
attended in a body. His humorous re.
marks excited much laughter. Mr.. w.
d. Briscoe, 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.
memoratiDg the memory of @. 81. b
Rouss, son of Chas. Broadway Rouss, and
whose death occurred in 1891, was then
unveiled by Capt. j. G. Holmes, comman-
der of the fire 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 eulogistfc terms pre-
scented on behalf of tho Inndependen,
Fire Company to their captain, ]. 81
Holmes, a gold badge, and Capt. Holmes
responded in a happy manner. The ex
ercises were closed with music and cheers !
for Mr.. Charles B. Rouss.
I III