Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-05-22
Rouss CITY Hall.
Cornerstone Laid at Winchester Win Masoni,
Ce7emonies-Ar. Chas. B. Rou1x'
Nvnifcence

With impressive ceremonies the corner
stone of the handsome building to be
known as Rouss City Hall was laid in
Winchester Tuesday afternoon. Three
or four thousand people witnessed the
event. which was attended with all the
dignity and solemnity characteristic of
the Masonic order. which had full charge
ofthe exercises. Gathered upon the plat
form were the members of Hiram Lodge,
A, F. and A NJ, of Winchester, and
representatives from the lodges at Mar
tinsburg and Luray. With them were
members of the bar various municipal
and county officers, old veterans and
members of the several local fire COM
panies
Previous to the cornerstone laying a
conservation service was held in the
Braddock ST. NJ. E. Church South. This
service was also in charge of the Masons,
and handsome banner was dedicated to
the services of Winchester Commandery,
Knights Templar. Following this came a
grand parade. in which a number of or
CARNATIONS participated. The sidewalks
along the route of parade were crowded
and nearly all the business houses in the
city were closed, business being suspend
ed generally, at the request of Mayor
Barton. The column halted at the City
Hall building shortly after 4 o'clock.
Then followed the usual Masonic ceremo-
mics attending the cornerstone laying.
Past Grand Master Nelson P. Dame pre-
scented the stone to Mayor R. IT. Barton,
who examined it and, after approving of
the work, accepted it in behalf of the City
of Winchester.
Into the cornerstone were placed many
valuable and costly mementoes, complete
roster of Hiram and John Dove Lodges
and the various other secret orders and
fire companies, together with the Con-
federate camp, etc.
Mayor Barton then introduced the
speaker of the occasion. Rev. DR.. Sam
uel X. Cox. formerly pastor of the NJ. E.
Church South, Winchester, now editor of
the Baltimore Christian Advocate. The
venerable divine spoke at length. He
paid splendid tribute to Charles Broad
way Rouss, of New York. whose munifi-
cent liberality made the building possible.
The address was listened to attentively
throughout and was a model of profound
thought and elegant diction.
The new City Hall is named IN honor
of Mr.. Charles B. Rouss. of New York,
who donated 100000 toward its erection.
1t is located on Fairfax Square, formerly
Market Square, which was claimed by
both the county and city. While a suit
was in progress to settle the ownership
and considerable bitterness prevailed be-
tween the two principals, Mr.. Rouss
offered his services as mediator by giving
the city $4,000 for a new hall and pro-
viding another place for the county peo-
pie to hitch their horses instead of on the
Market Square. Mr. Rouss' offer was
accepted and the city added another Sac.
900 to his gift. making total of 500. 600.
The new hall will be of Flemish stvle
of architecture and will be three stories
high, with tower, 1t will be built of
mottled grey pressed brick. with granite
and sandstone trimmings. The building
will contain the municipal offices and a
public hall with seating capacity of
1000. The structure will be completed
by December next.
There would have been. had an invita-
ton been extended, good delegation of
Knights Templar and Blue Lodge Masons
present from ChaIles Town, to do honor
to the occasion, made possible by the
munifcent liberality of Mr.. Charles
Broadway Rouss.