New-York tribune., 1902-03-04

years later his sight totally failed through
paralysis OF the optic
1t then that he made his famous offer. In
stantly he was, besieged by army Of doctors
specialists, quacks and divine healers all anxious
10 secure the reward. To the pain and the
time necessary to try the various remedies pro-
posed. Mr. Rouss hired James ]. Martin. a man
similarly afflicted For years this man underwent
every sort of experiment but all to no purpose
At last, in 1900, Mr.. Rouss announced that he be-
lieved that he destined to die blind and aban-
doned the effort to find relief.
Mr. Rouss born Woodbury. In Frederick
County. Maryland. While he still a child his
father moved to Virginia and young Rouss received
a good education at academy in Winchester
Intended by his father 10 settle down a farmer
Rouss decided that he could find bet
ter fields for his activity. AT fifteen he went to
work for merchant in Winchester At a salary of
81 a week. At eighteen he had saved $500. and
started in business for himself
At twenty-five Mr.. Rouss the leading mer-
chant of Winchester. and had accumulated $4,000
Then came the war. and with 1t financial ruin.
Putting his small fortune at the service of the
Confederacy Mr.. Rouss also enlisted. and for four
years served with distinction. his service ending
when he surrendered in Lees army at Appomattox
The close Of the war found Mr. Rouss penniless
Returning to his fathers farm. he fingered there
a year. and then decided 10 try his fortune in
New-York He had just $50 when he arrived in
this city. Sleeping cellar and patronizng free
lunches and boarding every cent he earned. Rouss
soon accumulated enough 10 start in business for
himself. BY 1873 he had amaSsed a considerable
fortune. Then came the panic. and once more Mr.
Rouss saw all he had saved swept away.
mistaken by his misfortunes. Mr.. Rouss set in
stantly 10 work to win another competency. Wiser
as result of his previous experience. he deter
all but of hts bookkeepers for the out of town
business. He also insisted that his employees should
receive their salary night, that his ac-
counts were complete each day.
Mr.. Rouss's application to his business
noteworthy.
He every morning at ( O'Clock had his break
fast at i:i5 At Sis, summer and winter. rain or
shine, he took an open carriage and drove through
the Park. accompanied by a secretary, who read
him the papers. As 1t often dark these
drives, electric light. supplied by small storage
battery, carried. He his desk in his
was an indefatigable worker and set a pace that
kept every about him busy. When his day
work was over. on his way home Mr. ROusS's sec
retary read him the evening papers.
Not merely for his business successes. but also
for his philanthropy Mr.. Rouse noteworthy.
of the dead of the Southern armies. a loyal South
erner himself, his 1rSt contribution the Win
chester and Mount Hope cemeteries. where thou
sands OF Confederate veterans are buried. He also
gave 100000 for a memorial hall to the Confederate
dead. Winchester received $4,000. and similar
sum given to the University of Virginia.
Mr.. RousS was great admirer of the late Rob
ert G. InSerson He attended most of his lectures.
and enthusiastically championed his ideas and
arguments.
Two children survive Mr.. Rouss. Peter winches-
ter RouSS who Is actively interested in his fathers
business and Mrs. Davis Lee. who married Vir-
Ginian Two brothers, residents Of Virginia, are
also left. =