Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1897-05-04
An Attractive place in Great City.

Being in the big metropolis of New
York last Wednesday we took occasion
to call at the mammoth establishment of
Broadway Rouss, at $40 Broadway, right
in the heart of the business centre. On
entering the first floor we were at once
struck with the absence of the magnifi-
cent pictures of Lee and Jackson, which
ordinarily catch the visitors eye as soon
as he gets into the store. Upon enquiry
we learned that our big-hearted friend
had kindly sent these highly priced gems
to n Southern Ladies Memorial Associ-
alton of Charlotte, N. c., risking their
injury or destruction for the sake of aid
ing the cause and the people he loved in
an exhibition for the benefit of some
movement to care for ex-Confederate
dead. The excellent pictures of Mr..
Rouss and his son Peter Winchester were
in place on the first floor, and that of his
loved and departed Charlie near the e1e-
vator on the second or Office floor. Along
the stairway and grouped at its head are
numerous pictures, certificates, ETC., which
MI 4NOuoo PALESo IOA III
stance we find here dear old Shannon
Hill, in this county. easily recognized
by the visitor from Jefferson,) where his
venerable parents lived and died, and
where Mr.. Rouss himself spent at least
a small portion of his life. Among other
valued specialties are the picture of Mr.
Rouss and his comrades, surviving men,
bers of Co. B, 18th Va. Cavalry, presented
by the Independent Fire Company of
this place; Rosser's charge at Trevil-
lians; w. ]. Peake, Gen. Opdyke, James
Wardlow, John w. Rice and Aaron Claf-
lin, staunch friends in his earlier years;
certificates of honorary membership in
various organizations; resolutions of
the United Confederate Veterans for his
generous contributions toward the South
ern Battle Abbey; resolution of thanks
of the General Assembly of Virginia for
his contribution of S25,oo to the Uni
versity of Virginia; resolutions of the
Confederate Cavalry Association of New
Orleans; the Battle Abby Committee
the Conquered Banner, etc., conspicuous
in the group being his much admired
friend and former war comrade, ex-Post- |
master-General Wilson.
Although it was quite an early hour
when we called Mr.. Rouss was already
at his post, in his private office, where
pleasant word from his pretty and ac-
plished private secretary, Miss Blanche
Volmer, gave US an open sesame to his
presence for a few minutes chat. His
popular confidential friend Mr.. A. Jaque-
line Smith was with him, and he seemed
in the best of trim, notwithstanding the
labor of taking part in the big procession
of the day before, in addition to his usual
business burdens.
Mr.. Peter Winchester Rouss, son of the
millionaire, is genuine chip of the old
block, and takes to business and its sue
,cessful management as naturally as a
fish does to water. Our estimable coun-
lyman Mr.. VIM. w. Rouss is with his
brother, giving him valuable assistance in
the management of the big Broadway
concern, whilst among the other able
:1ieutenants we found our genial friend
Seth NJ. Timberlake, his son Charles E.,
and Mr. H. c. Page. To see these and
other familiar faces almost makes one
imagine for the nonce that he is in good
old Jefferson, instead of within the pre-
cincts of great New York mercantile
establishment.
1t is not our purpose here to note in
detail the various departments of the big
Rouss concern and its business methods,
but we may say enpassant that every one
of its twelve immense floors are used to
their fullest capacity. that business huns
from roof to cellar, with system SO per-
feet that there is not single jar of dis
cord, and a business of millions of dollars
is transacted with smoothness that is
almost marvellous and apparently beyond
conception.