The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-08-11
Former 7. Alb. Home Becomes
NeU Headquarters Of Eagles
Old st. JOseph's Club
Rooms Played OutStand.
Ing Part IN Clty's Life
ny THE OUT.EAsTER

The temporary dIsbandment Of
the headquarters OF Saint J0SephB
Temperance society IN the two-gtory
frames tFucture ~ the corner Of
East Main and Maple streets, and
its rental by the old organization
~ quarters for the Waterbury
AefIe Of Eagles, reyiyes fond mem.
cries OF the st. JoBeph's In It's
early day around the latter part
Of the nIneties and after the turn
OF the century.
Many OF ~ out here In the East
End wildly recall Saint Joseph's
when II FIRST took Up us quarters
IN the house formerly owned by
the late Thomas Donahuc, q famed
local lawyer. The membership was
large, and included many Of the
young Catholic boys OF the town,
The meetings were held monthly
on Sunday, during which addresses
we're made by the late John J. Nc.
Donald, james H. Frenzy, and
James Mcknight, along with a
priest Of the old Church Of the I'm.
maculate Conception, IN the old 81.
Patrick'B hall, across from the
church. The members would meet
at the East Main street home, and
walk 10 the hall, led by the men IN
question, and then listen TO strong
talks IN regard 10 the use OF intoE.
icants. Few boys OF that day knew
the taste OF liquors, and II can
safely be said that the organization
and Us stringent rules did much 10
lead these young boys IN the prop
eF Path Of decent living.
And the various amateur theatre
cal productions produced by the
members. Every few years a cast
was selected, and the play chosen
presented either IN the old city hall,
jacques or Polls theater, under the
training Of the well known and
thorough rom Frenzy, IN fact II Was
Tom who always had charge OF
every amateur play presented IN
Waterbury IN the old days, especial
ly those arranged by the Acmcs
the Talmas and Saint Joseph's.
The annual excursion 10 C0ney
Island, always held In the month
OF August, was the big affair Of the
temperance body. Thousands at
tended, the trains leaving the old
Naugatuck station for Bridgeport
where the steamer Sirius or O name
iika that, was taken for the we'll.
known resort. What q busy spot the
beadauarterS were the night before
the annual sail. Ticket stands were
placed In front OF the old home, and
there u was that hundreds were
supplied, while thousands OF others
generally got their ticket IN adj
vance. II WAS the only annual holi-
day many OF Us enjoyed. There was
no time given US for Vacation IN
those days. We plugged along 1t
our factory Jobs every day OF the
year, except AZ q rule when we got
time OF 10 attend the annual event
Of the Bo-called Tabs"
Pew OF the old members Of the
organization are now, or have been
for years, associated with the Or
ganIzatIon. Still Jeremiah Dillane
and Billy GuIIfoile always kept up
their membership right 10 the very
last, They are still members, TOO,
being among the officers Of the IN.
stitutIon, which still exists, and
under Thich the property Us listed
on the fllcs Of the aB5cSsors' books
The old Slant JOscph'g; many
are around who were identified with
II al some particular time OF their
boyhood. With mouths vide open,
they listened most attcntIVcly 20
the advice and Judgment Of their
elders NJ nearly every meeting OF the
old obdy. And then At night, Bun.
day, once n month, they would AL
ways take IN the entertainment IN
~. Patrick's hall, and sometimes
giggle 10 notIccabIy at the antics u
the boys they knew trying 10 sing
that upon various occasions they
we're quietly escorted out OF the
hall.