New Britain herald., 1928-01-21
JIMMIE PURCELL TELLS
 SOME HOME TOWN YARNS
Goal Tender on Meriden Roller Hockey Team Relates Tales of Fox Point R. L-Brother-n-Law Elected to General Assembly - Site of George M Cohans Birthplace - How Townsmen Got Rid of "Corky Hill"-Connie Sheehan and His Famous Horse

Goals have figured prominently in the Purcell family for the past month. for while Jimmie Purcell of Meriden has been busy protecting the Silver City hockey teams cage from the drives and scoops of other teams in the American league. his brother-in-law. Bernard J. McElrOy. has attained political goal
 Barney. as the Meriden goalie re- fers to him, has been elected member of the Rhode Island general assembly, representing the city of Fox Point. R. l.. hamlet which has claimed the residence of such note worthy men as George M. Cohan and Jimmie Purcell, players Of diff ferent types, but both excellent players. McElroy is 8 democrat so is Jimmie, for that matter-and the most pleasing feature of the whole thing is that Barney was elected by large majority in a town that is considered to be of the rock bound republican type.
 Purcell's residence m Fox Point was brief. but his parents distinctly recall tho younger days Of George NJ. Cohan. and Jimmie retains suf- flcient Of the home town pride to stand up for Fox Point and enumer- ate its points of interest.
 Ever Hear of Fox Point?
 'Never heard of Fox Point Jimmie asked with the air of ono finding it difficult to believe such q thing possible, during rest period at the Meridcn-New Britain hook ey game Thursday night. Perhaps you will remember the famous 'Corky Hill' incident.
 "'Corky Hill' is q section of Fox Point. It is so called, according to old timers. because so many people who came from County Cork set fled there and from the names it Is reasonable to believe such is the case. In 1870 work was slow and an appeal was made 10 Uncle Tommie' Doyle at that time mayor. Doyle conceived tho idea Of raging rorky Hilr on the ground that it was an cycsore. No sooner said than done. Torky Hill' disappeared under the picks and shovnls of the townsmen. scores of whom went on the city payroll. When the streets were cut down the board sidewalks near the dwellings were so high that it was a daredevil stunt 10 walk past he row Of houses.
 George NJ. Cohan's birthplace still stands few doors from Barry's livery stable. Barry had the corner on trucking and dumping work in Fox Point for many years. He kept no books, and on Saturday night when the tealesters approached for their pay he would ask how many hours they worked.
 "Fifty- five" the driver would answer.
 Barry would then turn to, his -vife and ask for his slate. After perus1ns for moment he would turn to the driver and say:
 "You're another; you know you cnly worked 30, and that's all you'll get paid for" That ended the con- ycrsation and when the next team ster came in the same act would go on. The slate was used for years without so much as scratch be- ing put on it. Barry merely cut them ail five hours 10 M consis- tent.
 kept Horse In House
 Jimmie's next best story involves another Fox Point resident. Connie Shcehan. Connie bought horse but lad no stable, so he took the horse into the house with much difficulty. since the animal was required 10 mount flight of steps. When it came time 10 get the horse out. nothing would induce it to go down the stairs. Finally. Connie found 1t necessary to rip out a section Of the house and place blanks. along which the horse obligingly walked. Connie had so much difficulty get ting back into the house as he had getting the horse out.
 Fox Point made its bid for heavy weight championship honors in 1879 when Jimmy Murray fought Tom Hennery at Long Island for the honor. Jimmy went out in the first round and there was weeping and wailing at Fox Point, for Murray did not open an eye for more than half an hour.
 Jimmie Purcell has many more stories of interesting and entertain ing character. but rest periods in polo games are of specified length and Hughie Korty is not of the type that waits for reminiscent goal tenders. 50 the remainder of Fox Points history remains for the pres