Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-02-14
ROUSS BIRTHDAY BANQUET.
CAPTAIN HOLMES AND THE INDEPENDENT
FIRE CoMPANY SCORE ANOTHER

CAPTAIN HOLMES AND THE INDEPENDENT
FIRE CoMPANY SCORE ANOTHER
BIG SUCCESS
The annual banquet of the Indepen-
dent Fire Company Of this place, celebrat-
ing the 6oth birthday of their late gen.
erous benefactor and friend. Charles
Broadway Rouss. was held on Friday
evening last. The invited guests assem-
bled in Washington Hall. sad at 5 p. IN.
were indicted into Rouss Memorial Hall.
near by. where tables were beautifully
set and covers laid tor $50 persons The
large hall was handsomely adorned with
evergreens. flags and Chinese liant
ems, and on its walls bore elegant pic
lures of the late Charles Broadway Rouss.
c. H. B. Rouss. Hon. VIM. L. Wilson.
Capt. George Baylor. Hon. w. H. Trav-
ers. Mayor Brown and Capt. John W..
Russell; together with those of Capt.
Milton Rouss. Capt. julius c. Holmes
and Mr.. Chas. H. Grim.
When all had assembled at the tables
the blessing of Almighty God was in
voked by Rev. ]. S. Alfriend. after which
the assemblage partook of one of
the most elegant and satisfactorily served
banquets ever given in Charles Town,
and it is unnecessary to say that all pres
ent did full justice to the occasion.
At the conclusion of the feast the toast
list was proceeded with. Capt. Julius
c. Holmes presided efficiently as toast
master, and by way of introduction said:
Ladies aud Gentlemen We meet tonight
to celebrate the 9th birthday anniversary of
our departed noble and generous benefactor.
Charles Broadway Rouss, and to show the
world that though he is gone, we now, as in
the past, cherish and love his memory in
honoring the day of his birth, which is Deep
ly engraved upon our hearts, not to be erased
fIom the tablet of our memory as long as
life lasts,
Shall we ever behold his like again."
Nor can l express in words the deep feeling
of gratitude in my heart, and that which the
members of the Independent Steam Fire
Company, of Charles Town, owe to his
memory. He left name of which the
world grew proud, in pointing to his gener-
osity and many deeds of charity.
We livein deeds, not years in thoughts,
not breaths; not in figures on a dial, we
should count time by heart throbs. He
most lives who thinks most, feels the no
blest, acts the best"
| The Welcome to our guests" was ex.
tended in handsome manner by our
young legal friend Mr.. George D. Moore,
who made a happy reference to the fact
that the custom of honoring Mr.. Rouss
whilst living had not by the Independent
Fire Company been withheld from his
memory since his death. He concluded
by extending, on behalf of the active and
efficient Captain and all the members OF
the Independent Fire Company, a cor
dial welcome to all their assembled
guests.
| Hon. Marshall Mccormick not being
able to get here. the toast ITO the mem
DRY of our departed benefactor, Charles
Broadway Rouss, was drank standing,
in silence.
| The response of Hon. H. S. Larrick, of
Winchester, to the toast, "CharlesTown, y
was wonder, in that it showed famil-
iarity with our good old town and historic
surroundings almost inconceivable. He
congratulated US on our splendid fire de-
partment. Referred to Romulus found.
ing Rome, and the next important event
in history being the founding of Charles
Town. Charles Town was chartered in
1886. 1t was from about here that Hugh
Stephenson gathered together that gal
liant band of Virginians who marched
from this county to the relief of Boston
in the American Revolution, and five
generals of that war afterward resided
IN the county within few miles of here.
In the Mexican war the patriots of this
locality followed Hamtramck, Porter
field and Rowan to the land of the Mon
tezumas, earning honor for themselves
and glory for America. Here was
stamped outthe most infamous insurrec-
ton of modern times. and in the War be-
tween the States the flower of Jefferson
county manhood unanimously sustained
the Southern cause. Charles Town re-
ceived Its baptism OF fire. and her sons
were led by such men as the gallant
Chew, Baylor and old John Rowan. Not
only is she famous for warriors, but also