New Britain herald., 1926-06-28
TRIBUTES PAID ID
 ALBERT ROCKWELL
Memorial In Park Formally Ded-
 iCated By Bristol Public.
Special to The Herald j


 well park The weather was ideal for the occasion and the location Of the memorial on the south side Of the lagoon near the Tulip street en- trance. selected by the committee, proved to be an admirable one.
 On the platform. erected west Of the monument weresoated Mayor John F. Wade and members Of the city council, Mrs. 4. F. Rockwell and members of Mir. Rockwells fam- fly. Rev. O. T. Magnel pastor Of St Joseph's church. Rev. L. II. Dor chester Of Hartford, former pastor Of the Prospect NJ. E. church, mem bers of the memorial committee, the New Departure band and the Wallace Barnes Dunbar Male chorus
 The New Departure band opened the exercises by playing of In the Great Beyond"--a religious medita- ton, by Ellis Brooks. The inFoca- tion was then given by Rev. L. II. Dorchester and then the male chorus sang God Of Our Fathers.
 A sketch of the work done by the memorial committee was then given by Representative Arthur $. Barnes, chairman, who paid glowing trib- ute to Mir. Rockwell, mentioning his inventive genius and his public spr- tied generosity. The funds for the memorial he pointed out, were rals- ed by public subscription and in or der to make the donations general the maximum amount to be accept ed from any one was S10 A friend of Mfr. Rockwell's in Havana, Cuba, insisted on donating $50 and this was the only exception made by the committee. Many school children contributed to the fund and it is in- teresting to note the following an- alysis of the donations: 17 Of Slo each, e of s. 3 of $4. Of $S, 1 Of s2.50. S7 of $2, 454 Of s1. 2 Of .15; of .55. 1 of 53, of .52, $S9 of 50, of .45, 1 of 40, 3 of .S5, 1 Of .9f, of 80, l of .2I of ,26. 4@7 Of .1s. 1 of .2l, IS of 20, 1 of 19, %1 of .15, 1 of IS, of .12, 16S of 10; of .OS. of .o7. 3 of 06, go Of .o7' { of .0S. 1 of .o2, of .01 and mis- ceIlaneous including interest ot $546.59.
 Mir. Barnes in conclusion, spoke as follows: Tt is now my privilege, Mir. Mayor, on behalf of nearly D. 500 people who have contributed to this fund to present to you as the official head of the city of Bristol this memorial erected to one Who loved this place, loved these nils, valleys and streams, loved the people of this community, one who lies on the hillside overlooking the park, d memorial from those who knew him. to Albert r. Rockwell.
 Mayor John r. Wade, in accept ing the memorial in behalf of the citv. spoke touchingly of the close ties of personal and business frlend- ship he had been privileged to en- iov with MT. Rockwell in life.
 The oration of the day was given by Corporation Counsel William \. Derosier. whose glowing tribute to Mir. Rockwell in part follows:
 "If Mr. Rockwell could express a wish here today, it would be that we do not enter into long culogy ol him, but that rather we lay stress simply on one Of those traits oI character which We so admired Tn him-his great love for Bristol It is an old saying that one of the hrst virtues Of civilized man is love oi ones native city. Certainly Mr. Rockwell had an ardent affection for Bristol. While his business interests were not confined 10 this city, but were widespread and neCessitated his being away from this city for Fong period of time, nevertheless Bristol always remained his home, and it was upon this city that he showered gifts which testify 10 that affection.
 During his life he ran the gamut of fortune. His life is the life Of hero of Horatio Algcr story. He knew diversity and rose superior to it. From comparative poverty he attained riches; from the status of an unknown merchant in the south he rose 10 the rank Of an industrial and inventive genius Of tho north He played the game Of life for high stakes. He was willing 10 take chances. CHere the speaker related an incident which occurred some years ago at a meeting Of the claims committee or the city council at which Mir. Rockwell characterized himself as a gamhler) He meant hy this not that he was a gambler in the ordinary meaning otthe word. but that he was willing 10 take chances: that he was wiling 10 leave the time honorcd path of established usage and to dclvo into the uu- known and uncertain; flat hr WAS willing to blaze now trail for him self.
 "Whather fortune smiled or frowned on him Ia maintained inc same outward comroswe He, showed no moro outward signs O. elation over victory than d,spon- dencv over dofeat The sting of de-. feat left no rancor in bis heart.
 He was just 3s Erurrous iu 3rCo1t as in victory TIr was a man of great 2 rnrosl'y-aud II was gen. .rosiiy without flourish. 'haf vas 'nacrompauicd by trumpets. IL was given as g matter of couas. tAiI 'tjs point. Mir norosjor r,la'rd She Incident which occurred some years ago when 'n tho midst Of d djscus- sion over expenditures which were Icing incurred at Rockwell Park Mr Rockwell walked into the city clerks office and left with him TO- reipted bills for more than s25.Goo. 1
 ''It has always heon g much dis- puted question as 10 which is fine greater element involved in the for nation of man; whether men ar" born with certain characteristics which put them above Inc rank and