The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-06
.ROUSS FUNERAL IN
Binding Storm.
Continued From First Page.)


American metropolis. Owing nothing to
credit or capital, having a. determined
will. a keen intellect, o restless energy.
a high ambition, an unit firing patience, and
a never-sWerying tenacity,.E he won.
His wonderful confid ence in his own
ability, determining that he would ulti-.
n ately rival Classon and Stewart. the
eat merchants of that day., has at
tfacted widespread attention.
3 His leaving his business to join the
Stonewall Brigade, not only serving from
Manassas to Appomat tox, but giving the
wealth he had previously acquired to the
cause OF the Confederacy with a gener-
Gus devotion, characterized his whole sub
sequent life; and his proposition to con-
tribute 100000 toward a National Con-
federate Museum or Battle Abbey was
rallied by Confederate . organizations
everywhere as the browning event of his
devotion to the Southern people. Al
though he has passed from among the
living, this work will go on, and it is
tic be hoped that the United Confederate
Veterans Association and its subordi-
rate camps will contribute to the cause,
as urged repeatedly by Grand Commander
John B. Gordon.
During the dark days of the war be-
tween the States Mr.. Rouss benefited the
poor in the distribution Of salt. which he
which he refused, $4,000.
IN RICHMOND.
After the fall at Appomattox he wan
dcred through the burned districts of
Richmond and slept wherever he found
d convenient place, and not infreauenuy
where it was not convenient. Returning
to the beautiful Shannon HILL the
home Of his father, Peter Hoke Rouss, in
Jefferson county (now West Virgiria), he
spent year in the cornfields. Leaving
with s1.S0 in cash and $1,000 in old debts
against him. Rouss went to New York
ard slept in the parks and dined at free
lunch counters.
lie managed to get a stock of auction
goods and after selling them boz ght more
and more, and moved to large: quarters
almost as many times as he bought. fIe
went down with the crash of 1875 and lost
So ,G0e-all that he had.
He got on his feet again, with the as
sistance of Erastus Wiman, and began
in a very modest way in Church Street.
after that. his business, backed by d de-
termination to succeed. resulted in the
construction of 81 magnificent twelve
st Dry building, covering 1SlN'0 square feet
of floor space, at No. 5d9-555 Broadway, to
which several large additions have been
;nade. Rouss then became known as the
prince OF the auction trade. with buyers
emit.
SPOT CASH SYSTEM.
He inaug1lrated the net SLOT cash sys-
tenn Of underbuying, undersellinS ana
cash before delivery or first mortgage.
The simplicity OF his mode of life ac
counted FOR his capacity for work. lie
was at his store by O'clock in the morn
ing and left at 6 in the evening. His
holidays were Sundays and yearly visit
.I,a Id, +1,S
county fair, when he held a reception.
Last fall, however, his health was bad,
and as constant work had deprived him
of seeing, his annual visit was cut out,
and he gradually became helpless and
awaited with patience the lime when his
mortal remains would put on the habili-
ments OF immortality.
During the erection of his 100000
Broadway structure he had this placed
in q conspicuous position:
Gle who builds, owns and will occupy
this marvel of brick, iron and granite,
thirteen years ago walked the streets
pennless-only to show that many a
man facing fate may be a. capitalist even
without the almighty dollar, If he will,
and to prove that the capitalists OF to-
day were struggling for existence a quar-
ter of a century ago"
a generosity SO unfailing, an appre-
citation so permanent, an affection so
{ true arrests attention and eNcites COM
ment In this age of concentrated COM
1nercial selfishness. He was a millionaire
who forgot not his youthful struggles and
the people with whom he began his ca
reer, in his time of prosperity and pre-
vaiing success. Here was a man. too,
who gave while he lived, that he might
see his donations applied and realize the
blessed bitterness of giving.
THE ROUSS MAUSOLEUNL
The Rouss mausoeum in Mount Hebron
Cemetery is said to be the finest private
piece of cemetery work in the United
States. 1t was built by C. E. Taylor and
Company. OF New York. It is an almost
exact copy OF the old Temple of Pistim, in
the suburbs of Rome. 1t is low and mas
zsive The foundation is 81 feet 6 inches
wide, ~ feet 10 inches long, and feet
deep. 1t stands 20 feet above the sur
face, and has "a catacombs above and
below. The main entrance faces the
west. Thirty-siX doric columns, II feet
high and IS inches in diameter, with a
cap Of solid stone, support the roof,
which is Very heavy. Barre granite
over 400 tons-was used in its construc-
ton, with Tennessee marble as Innings.
r>I>,