Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-10-09

N(AA ~ E~A(nAAOAAae
/ a few notes on our recent visit to Rich
nond, to attend the 18th annual session
of the Virginia State Firemen's Conven
ton
On arrival in the city at the c. & o
station. the Independent Steam Fire Co
No. was met bya committee from the
Richmond Fire Departmental and escorted
to the committee headquarters. Captain
julius c. Holmes at once formed the
company with Mayor George Washington
and Fire Marshal C. NJ Hough and
Charles Broadway Rouss Drum Corps al
the head, and marched up Broad and 9th
streets. where the company was met by
Chief Fuller. of the Richmond Fire De
partment and chairman of committee of
arrangements. The company and drum
corps were then assigned to hotels, all of
which had been prepared in advance of
their arrival. Col. w. E. Cutshaw came
up in his carriage and had every detail
for the comfort OF the company made,
and invited them to meet him at the City
Hall on Thursday at o:3o a. m.
AT 9;3o a. m. on the 27th the Company
met and Capt. Holmes ordered them to
fall in, placing the Charles Broadway
Rouss Drum Corps and our honored
mayor George Washington and Fire
Marshal c. NJ. Hough in front, and Ed
ward Henson as drum MAJOR. Capt
Holmes gave the command to march
down Broad street to centre entrance of
City Hall. All marched into centre aisle
of City Hall and faced to the front, and
in few moments Col w. E. Cutshaw
appeared and was introduced by Capt.
Holmes, in the following words;
:" 1t gives me pleasure and great honor
to introduce to you, the members .of the
Independent Fire Company No. I, of
Charles Town, Jefferson county, West
Virginia, an honored and gallant son of
the County of Jefferson, CIV. Va. y brave
and fearless soldier of the lost cause, Col.
w. E. Cutshaw. Chief Engineer of the
city of Richmond. And my dear colonel,
on behalf of my company, who are now
assembled here. and on behalf of our
people of your native County of Jeffer-
son, we have set apart this time during
our visit here to pay our respects to you,
son of that grand old county. Though
absent from US you are not forgotten, but
one cherished and honored by us. and
your deeds of valor,in the time that tiled
mems souls are deeply engraven upon
our hearts and never will be era nom
our memory as long as life remains.
Col. Cutshaw then made happy re-
sponse, thanking the company for so
honoring him +; that he held sacred the
memories of boyhood days and OF old
comrades in arms-Col. Chew, Capt.
Baylor, Lieut. b. c. Washington and
Charles Broadway Rous, and his old
friend Capt. J. c. Holmes. At the con-
clusion of his address the company gave
three cheers and proceeded to their hotel.
AtI1o'clock the company again formed
and proceeded to the 9th division on the
line of march, and along the entire line
they received a grand ovation, waving
of handkerchiefs and shouts of applause
by thousands for their handsome uni
forms and fine marching. Often you
would hear; what fne-looking body
of men they are boys, for they wear the
gray" as the company of Richmond
Grays appears. and men cheered. and
when the company entered the auditor
iun they were greeted with cheer after
cheer by all the vast crowd. They were
halted in the hall and were addressed by
the chairman of the refreshmert com
mittee and welcomed as guests of the
city of Richmond, and to everything ar
ranged for their comfort. The commit
tee were constantly looking after our
boys, so they had the best, The kind
treatment received from the ladies and
gentlemen of Richmond will long be re
membered by the members of the indie
pendent Fire Company.
On Friday morning Col. Cutshaw
called at the hotel and invited Mayor
George Washington. Capt. Julius c.
Holmes and Mr. Thos. R. Moore to take
a drive to the Confederate Veterans
Home. On arriving at the Home Col.
Cutshaw introduced his friends to Supt
Bigger, of the Home. Capt. Holmes be-
ing an old friend. Supt. Bigger called
several of theold veterans who were com
rades in arms of Capt. Holmes, and after
pleasant chat returned to the city. The
company then formed and proceeded to
the Law Office of Col. Charles T. oFer-
rell, ex-Governor of Virginia, vino made
an appropriate address. dwelling on the
civil war and those who wore the gray,
and thanked the company for paving
their respects.
The company then proceeded to the
Richmond Dispatch Office and paid their
respects. As the time for the departure
of the train was close they could not wait
for a response from the editorial staff,
which was regretted by the company
The entire trip was a pleasant one, and
will long be remembered by the members
of the company.
On their return home they were greet
ed by welcome from the Citizen Fire
Company by the ringing of the fire bells.
ONE WHO WAS THERE.
srOo for Bottle.
Mrs. S. B.swinship, III Washington St.