Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-10-18
Rouss pay a wInchestet.
.Irrom he Minchester star. oet. 1s.l

From the Winchester Star, Oct. 81
Rouss Day at the fair was the greatest
day in the fairs history since its exist
ence of thirty years. An immense crowd
began to gather early in the morning up
on the streets of Winchester, and they
eventually found their way TO the fair
ground to welcome Mr.. Rouss. Rouss
DayhasJ always been the day on which
the surrounding country and city of Win
chester turns out to greet Mr.. Rouss; but
the crowd to-day exceeds in number any
previous attendance. From far and near
they came on horseback, in vehicles and
afoot, all anxious to be at the fair on
Rouss Day.
Mr.. Rouss arrived in his special car on
the morning C. v. passenger train. The
hour he was expected here was 9 o'clock.
but the train was half an hour late, and
the throng at the depot was increased by
constant additions of expectant people,
all wondering what detained the train,
and when it rolled into the depot a sigh
of relief evidenced the anxiety all had
experienced. The private car was occu-
pied by Mr.. Rouss and a party of ten,
viz: Com. DiekenRou, of New York Con-
federate Veterans; Christopher Reid.
Harry Hyde and Dorsey Beall, of the
New York News; Rufus Timberlake,
Edw. Senseney, of St. Louis; A. ].
Smith, Willoughby Taylor and Geo. H.
Rouss of Charles Town.
At the depot the special committee
from the S. V. A. Association and Mr..
TIN. Bantz met Mr.. Rouss and prevented
the crowd from surging up against him.
Mr.. Rouss then entered a hack and was
driven to the residence of Mr.. Charles
Crum, on west Water street. where lunch
was served the party. While there Mayor
Williams spoke and welcomed Mr.. Rouss
to the hospitality of the city. Mr.. Rouss
responded in appropriate terms. After
remaining there afew moments Mr.. Rouss
then drove to Mt. Hebron Cemetery, and
went to the lot where his beloved dead
sleep their last sleep.
AT the cemetery Mr.. Rouss followed
the impulse of that kind and benevolent
heart which is indigenous to the name of
c. B. Rouss. His first visit was to his
lot in the annexed portion of Mt. Hebron
Cemetery, where, raising with love and
pride its majestic head, the handsome
shaft erected by him to the memory of
his loved ones who have passed beyond
the care and trials of earth, now lie in
that peaceful sleep which knows no
Weakening. Here, although the eyes of
W~inchester's benefactor were unable to
behold the memoriams which were erect
ed to his loved ones, friends who knew
him in the days of Aud Lang Syne, read
the notices which were inscribed, and
Mr., Rouss was touched with sadness as
he thought of the loved opes of long ago.
Many have been the benefactIons of Mr..
Rouss to the different organizations of
Winchester, and these bodies of men
who give their lives and labor for the
good of mankind, showed the apprecia-
ton of these liberal donations of Mr..
Rouss by placing upon the grave of his
loved ones-all that was possible for
them to do-handsoTne floral tributes of
respect, which touched his great heart as
his friends, who were eyes to him, de-
cribed the offerings of love. Mr.. Rouss
was visably affected as he stood upon the
sacred ground, which contained the dust
of his loved ones, and the tears stood in
the eyes which are no longer able to be-
hold Gods glorious sunshine, as his mind
wandered back from the scenes of the
busy metropolis to the days when a low
ing father and mother greeted their boy
when he returned home. Again his
thoughts wandered to the Joy and pride
of his manhood-his son. Charlie, who
lies in the silent city of the dead, above
which the evergreen trees and the breezes
play a requiem to his loss.
A handsome pillow, composed of roses.
lilies of the valley, ETC., was the tribute
of respect of the Union. The Friendship
also had a lovely pillow composed of the
autumn flowers, the handsome dah1ias;
and the Southland Hose Co. had six
handsome bouquets, and Mr.. Ed. Sense
ney, who accompanied Mr.. Rouss to this
city, also had a handsome pillow to the
respect of the departed.
Mr.. Rouss then visited the Senseney
and Holiday lots and was visably affect
ed at each.
Mr.. Rouss also visited the lot where
his sister Lizzie lies. Here he again ex-
pressed emotion. Mr.. Bantz gave him a
bouquet presented by a little boy, and
the tribute was placed upon the spot
where his son Charles once laid.
From the cemeteryth the party proceeded
to the residence of ex-Gov. F. w. NJ.
Holiday. where they were received by
the Governor. his sister, Mrs. G. F..
Mason, and niece, Mrs. B. D. Gibson, of
Charles Town. After spending a few
moments in the parlor, Mr.. Rouss and
the Governor retired to the latter's study,
where a quarter of an hour was spent in
private conversation. By this time the
escort appointed by the fire department
arrived and were received by Mrs. Mason
and Mrs. Gibson. They then marched
into the parlors, and when Mr.. Rouss re-
turned were introduced to that gentle
man. AS a name was called out he would
often be struck by the familiar sound at
tached to it and remark tina he knew so
and SOS father well, or was well acquaint-
ed with the family name. Some times he
would indulge in witticisms. When
greetings had been completed, Mr.. Rouss
and friends returned to the dining room