The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-06
MANY GREAT
NAMES ARE
ON ROSTER
Some of the Most Noted of
Confederate Generals
We're Members.
IMPROVEMENTS
TO BUILDINGS
Interior Changed in Many Re-
spects. and Now Very
Handsome.
az ARTHUR HASTINGS TAYLOR.

T2 He Westmoreland Club. the oldest
organization OF It's kind existing
In this city and the most famous
In the South, will. on the third
Monday In February attain Its thirtieth
anniversary The organization has grown
remarkably since its formation, in 1877.
particularly in numbers. but also in per-
sonnet, and the line OK eninently dis
tinguished men whose names have been
carried on its membership rolls as per-
haps cxcelled b. no similar body In this
country.
For years the Westmoreland has been
regarded as one OF the most exclusive
clubs in IN country. and as a rule was
composed chiefly of men OF middle age
or further advanced In life. but more
recently, and with the great growth OF
the city, its scope has been broadened
and its membership greatly increased, In
Guiding s1w many OF the younger ele-
ment. So numerous We're the applica-
tons and so deserving Of consideration,
that the board of management determined
year or two ago TO place n. limit upon
the membership. and this was fixed at 400.
The present resident membership OF the
club is 400, with n waiting list OF thirty
odd and the list of nonresident MEM
bers numbers 1S5.
History of Club.
The history of the old Westmoreland
is TO large extent history OF Richmond
and Of Virginia. During its thirty years
ci existence men prominent in every
vocation In the life of this city, of Nir-
ginia and of the United States have been
proud to claim membership in the or
gnnization and to find comfort and con-
genial associations within the clubs hos
pitable portals. Names known through
out the length and breadth of the land
are inscribed upon the records of the
Westmoreland, and on it's time honored
walls hang superb portraits of great men
OF this and other States, not few of
whom We're members. Nearly every prom
inent Confederate general surviving until
the organization of the club and for q
decade thereafter was at one time or
another member of the Westmore-
land. and several were active in its or
ganization and direction for years. A few
OF the old guard. the flower of Virginia
chivalry during the last half of the nine
tcenth century, still linger amid the ia
miliar scenes where they We're wont to
meet In congenial converse and associa-
ton those who have passed over the
river
What Is true of soldiers Is equally true
of men in every honorable vocation.
The most prominent jurists, barristers,
statesmen. physicians, journalists. teach
ers. scholars. bankers. scientists, mer-
chant. manufacturers and captains of in
dustry who have contributed to the
growth and development of Virginia
have been and are members of this club,
and many from other cities and other
States swell the roll OF distinction, which
gives the organization such prestige. and
makes membership therein so much COW
cd H. ct ne "a rrn si1pnfc iS roll
of honor.
The initial steps toward the organization
of a club which later developed into the
Westmoreland. We're taken at meeting
held at the old st. James Hotel on Mon
day. January 90, 1877, at which there were
present General Harry Heth, Messrs. N.
Bowditch Clapp. John Dunlop. John A.
Elder, Philip HaXall John Enders ROD
inson, William r. Smith, Philip A. Well
ford and General Dabney II, Maury. The
purpose was to establish a dignified or
ganization. where business and profess
sional men might meet and enjoy the
comforts of club. with Its literature and
all the other incidentals of such an or
ganization. 1T was stipulated at the very
outset that no betting was to be permitted
and no open bar maintained.
Name Selected.
General NLaury presided at the first
meeting, which adjourned after attend
ing to the preliminarles Of organization.
Another meeting was held February 9Th,
at which there were present, In addition
to most of those named, John Hampden
Chamberayne, Benjamin Gray, Colonel
Julian Harrison, Colonel Richard l..
Maury, George Norton, John OFT. Colonel
william III. Palmer, Colonel Il, NJ. r. Tai
cott John r., rriplett, Jr,, General /. M.
st. John 1t was at this meeting that the
name of the, club was selected, ana it
was upon the motion of John Hampden
Chamberlayne, founder of the old Rich
1rond State, and one of the best known
Virginia journalists of his day. The
name was unanimously adopted. At this