Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-10-28

George M Egan was born in Liner ck, Ireland. October 2S. 1S42. He was m only child and with his parents went to London, England, when he was but three years of age, where he remained until the family came to the United Stafes in 1852. They settled in BranfOrd. this state. and the future ,uperintendent of the police depart nent of Waterbury worked on a farm lntiI he was sixteen, and even at this lime he can tell interesting reminis- .ences of his escapades while engaged Tt that business. This didn't promise 10 be very remunerative and he was npprenticed for three years to learn the carpentry trade. The contract stated that he was to receive his board and $50 the first year; board and SfO the second year: board and $60 the third year. This may appear small wages. but when one hears that he had to buy his own clothing it will be seen that it was much less than one would suppose at first thought He kept at it, however, and learned the trade. and in the summer of 1890 he came to Waterbury and worked at the business for short time, when he went to Fair Haven.
 In 1861. when the tocsin of war sounded all over the land. George Egan laid down his carpentry tools anal enlisted in Company c, Third Connecticut infantry, for three months service Although, he enlisted at New Haven he was credited to Branford and was the first man to enlist for tle civil war from that town. He par ticipated with his company at the first battle of Bull Run and was mustered put at Hartford on August 12, 1861. But he felt there was still work for him to do fin the contest and again en- listed on his birthday, October 2S, 1881. this time in Company B, First Connecticut cavalry, and re-enlisted as a veteran in the same company Orf January l. 1864, and was finally mus tered out of the service at New Haven. on August ?. 1865. During his service with the First Connecticut cavalry he was with his company nearly all the time and took part in all its engage ments and skirmiShes. He had two horses shot from under him while in action. one at Frederick City. Md. on June 20, 1863, where le was captured and gent to Richmond, and another on June 1, 1Sti5, at Ashland, Va, at which lime although receiving a severe in- jury to his thigh, caused by his horse falling upon it, he mustered up suffi- eient strength to get out of the way and escape capture.
 After the war he remained in Fair Haven for about year, when he went to Meriden and worked at his trade under instruction for year or so. In he spring of 1869 be moved from Mer- lden to Bridgeport. where after stay of one month he removed to Water bury and located permanently, and worked at his trade from that time un- ul he was appointed to the police force on April S. 1876. The police force at that time was composed of a chief and six patrOlmen. In 1882 he was eler.tesl chief and six more patrol men were added. so that when Egan was made chief he had twelve men under him. Tn October. 1SS6. the force was strengthened by the appointment sf a lieutenant and a sergeant: the following year six new patrUlmen were chosen. and in 1891 another half dog sn men were chosen
 In 1895 the fOrCp was rporganiZet and increased hy the addition of one captain. two sergeantS and four p3- trolmen. In 1901 five VatrOlmen were added. and in 1g02 the detective hu- reau as at present. constituted was or ranized. Tn 1g13 one patrOlman was sdded. and in the present year two patrOlmen were eieCusd. X legislative enactment was also passed changing the name of the head of the depart merIt from chief to that of superin- tendent. The act becane operative apon its passagp ana shortly after -fvari Suueriuteuteur EZan tendsTpi Afa resignation tU the department of safety. the same 10 take effert on Oe- toler 2S. 1ssG. During his term of service. tweuty-HiRe years and SIX months. the f0TFse has been increasef from one chief and six rrltrolmeH to sne superintendent. one captain. one lieutenant rhree sPreeants. two de- fee1iFes. thirty-six patrOImen- 0neI soorman. sne matrUn. five veteran re- Eerve effiesrs and 46 slperuumeraries-
 Superintendent Ez1n is a zsod f. uzrrier and cslIaluctesi the deparI- meut in q most economical manner and by doing vast amount of sEgrk himself managed to keep down ex Denses fin sslrEI a way as Co excite the wonder of thoze sfouf him h fs>E ihe year before he was appointed chief- tiaP rn-ular forre consisted uf thiftsen nlsz aIsI tlr fepsrI1Ieuf essst s1fSsS Iu fssA the rsz11izr foste- sxeiusfxe of the msfnna- Was eosa- Nsssd s[ far1 1three men and tAs ex=