Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-10-16
A BIT OF HISTORY
RslIresd Cswpssy Wss Friend h Need Whes Waterbury Wss scsurssd By Tire
 IiIlsy Wasn't.


 That's funny argument people are making in favor of George L. Lil- ley and against Judge A. Heaton Rob- ertson Men proclaim with much em- phasis that they have no use for Rob- ertson because of his connection with the Consolidated road and have de- cided to support Lilley, not on ac- count of his politics, but owing to the fact that he is q Waterbury man. This sounds all right, but let us see which cares the more about Water bury. MT Lilley or the railroad folks. In February 1902, when a furious fire was raging in. the heart of the city and buildings were being de- stroyed at the rate of half a dozen or more an hour. the authorities real ized that unless the local fire fighting force was reinforced from abroad the town was doomed, and an appeal for aid was sent out to the principal cities of the state. This was about mid night, but notwithstanding this in al
 most less time than 1t takes to tell 1t every railroad approach to Waterbury all the way from Winsted to Bridge port was opened up and engines came laundering up and down the valley, all heading for Waterbury, and bringing men and apparatus to help out. What they did is a matter of record. They saved the town from being reduced to ashes. During the great battle with the fire flend men were kept on duty all day and night so that 1t was necessary to have re- treatments nearby. Sandwiches were purchased from George Lilley's firm and coffee was put up by Tom Kelly and others. After the fire had been extinguished, the debris cleaned up and the officials commenced to count the cost, the biggest item they saw was for railroad service. This 1t was thought would be so high that even those somewhat familiar with railroad work didn't care to make an estimate. We'll, to make along story short, they kept on guessing until finally Edward G. Kilduff, who was then mayor, received communica- tion from the railroad people stating that no charge would be made for service rendered to Waterbury on the night of the fire. The communi- cation was received and ordered on file and vote passed instructing M. J.. Ryan, city clerk, to convey to the. railroad officials the thanks of the city for their most gracious and valu- able service. But what about the other things?, How about the. Lilley sandwiches? The bill was rendered in the usual way and the fact that the sandwiches were distributed to the men while on duty at the fire cut no figure In the thing one way or the other. On that occasion nearly ev- erybody did something to help the firemen to keep on their feet until the fire was under control and asked nothing for their service, so that. at the, time when Waterbury was almost down and out. Sc to speak, the rail- road company stepped into the breach and rendered, gratuitously, bear in mind, the very best service at it's disposal What did MT Lilley do? This is no "black hand" bluff. It is a matter of public record, and is mentioned now simply to show those who can't vote for Robertson because of their contempt for the railroad that probably were it not for the prompt response of this same road when the town was enveloped in flames, they would not be here at this time to cast their ballots one way or the other.