Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-11-05
ROSE HILLS BANQUET
0ld Pioneers Wsnl eui ei Official
 ExIslsace Last Night.

Rose Hill volunteer Are company went out of offcial existence at a banquet to the company in the new engine house. corner of Luke and Baldwin streets last evening. The fire department was represented by Fire Marshal Samuel c. Snagg, the board of safety by Commissioner John H. Malone and the city by Martin Scully, president of the board of aldermen. and in the speechmak- ing the company was represented by William Lafiin, it's foreman. The opening speech was made by Chief Snagg, who introduced Alderman Scully as the representative of the city. MT Scully in the course of his remarks said that great thanks was due Mayor Thoms for his part in giving the people of Baldwin street and vicinity this finely equipped, handsome engine house. It was only right that the ushering out of the old company and the ushering In of the new one should take place on the same night in the fire house of the latest addition to the fire department of the city. The night recalled old times to him. Many of the old mem bers have passed away, among them his own brother Alderman John Scully, who stood for the old fourth ward He knew from personal ex- perience that Rose Hill was one of | the best volunteer fire companies in the state. It was pressed into duty the first night of its existence. It was rumored that the house of one I of It's members, Patrick Thompson, the contractor who built the new house, by the way, was on fire, and the company started off on a long run, for Mir Thompson's house was not on fire. It was said that 1t was the East Mountain reservoir and be- fore the company had finally found that the fire was far beyond its reach, the men had ran more than half way to Prospect
 This supper" said Alderman Scully, lis the wages of twenty-seven years of active and valuable service to the city of Waterbury and in be- half of the mayor and the city, l thank the company. It's rec ord is good" he said. There is not stain on it. It was always on the alert, always on duty, and the members must feel like fish out of water when hereafter they hear a fire alarm and they cannot respond to it."
 The first captain of the company was Owen Thompson, brother of the contractor who built the house, has long gone to his reward. Alder man Scully recalled sitting under tree that stood where the engine house now stands and seeing many hot game of ball between boys who are men now. But times are differ- ent now,' he said. A change we find here and many
 change,
 Faces and footsteps and all things
 changed.
 Gone are the heads of silver hair, And the young that were have brow or care.
 "The city has grown wonderfully since those days, and the changes that have come with it's development have brought many new face fellows he went on, there was not house within sight of where we sit tonight The people must appreciate the efforts of Mayor Thoms and the board of safety in giving them this means of protection from fire. It was long and badly needed, it will be blessing to us all. We know good men will be in charge, clean men who will leave as good record as that of the old company which meets here tonight for the last time"
 Chief Snagg replied that the new company will be of good men, who will be credit to the city, as the old company were. Usually in flock so large as the old company there is black sheep, but Rose Hill boys were the exception.
 Alderman Malone spoke next. He was followed by William Lafiln, fore man of the company, who spoke a few kind words for the men of Rose Hill. and for those who had been with them in the past.
 P. w. Halpin, who followed, said Rose Hill company gave the city one mayor, two sheriffs and many other officials. The company was thank full for this manner of mastering out, after twenty-eight years of useful activity, and he hoped every member would be given certificate of dis charge from the city. He was glad to see that the captain of the new company, Thomas F. Cavanaugh, was a member of Rose Hills, and Rose Hills were proud of him. On next Monday morning he hoped all the members of Rose Hill will be on hand to attend mass at St Francis s church for those members who have passed away.
 John c. Thompson, formerly a foreman of the company, said he was glad to hear such nice things said of the boys. He passed the best part of his career with them. The company was organized on March IS, 1881. He recalled the days of rivalry be- tween volunteer companies to reach the scene of fire first. He said 1t mattered not whether fellow was out walking with his best girl or lounging in his Sunday go to meetin' clothes in her parlor, awake or