The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1938-10-22
Richard L. Weis
| M e m b err Of w ell
Known Fa m lily,
Neighborhood Gro.
Ger for Years.
BY THE OUT EASTER

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Elm street was buried during the
present week, waterbury lost q
man, widely known among the
French residents Of the city, and
also by many others, because he
was born here, and lived In no
other locality than the one that
claimed his death.
Dick Wells grew UP In O day
when II was possible for him to
relate the name Of every living
family around the lower part OF
South Elm st., Pond street, and
East CLAY street, He knew them
oil, and they knew him, From
early boy-hood, he did nothing
except the work he did In the
grocery store the family conduct
cd for years at the corner OF
South Elm and Pond streets. II
was seldom he left the neighbour
hood, although years back, he at
tended the various sporting events
conducted In the halls OF the city,
like roller polo, and the old time
fights held In the Jean Jacques
auditorium. OF course In the
summer. he could often be found
ut the ball games played In the
west end grounds.
Prof. Crosby
In the days when Professor
Crosby ruled the school system
OF Waterbury with IN iron hand,
Dick attended the old Elm street
building and from there went into
the High school fronting on
School street. He could have gone
beyond the high school II he SO
cared, but he got 10 like the gro
Gerry business and started to help
his good father. And when the
father died, Dick took charge and
managed affairs. Their business
was large, and like Others, the
family groceries were delivered by
the now discarded horse and
wagon, with q compartment on
the side that allowed for the kerr
osene oil cans, which always had
q potato ct the spout 10 stop tho
oil from flowing out by reason Of
the many joys In the highways
OF long ago. Dick Weis was the
driver; he sat so far 10 the right
that the old seat generally sagged
on account OF his daily position,
and his own weight.
The hey-day OF the Wells Gro.
Gerry was In the era OF the old
fashioned kerosene oil lamp. Elec-
tric lights came here In the mid
die nineties, but 1t was some years
before many Of the houses were
thus equipped, and gas was con-
sidered too costly Cor most OF the
households.
r. Of A.
In fraternal circles, Dick Weis
was active In the affairs OF the
Martin Hellman Court OF For-
esters. He was just as prominent
In this body OF late years as he
was ut the beginning. Forestry
was everything 10 him; he knew
the ritual by heart, and could
quote II ut meetings without hesi-
fancy. Years ago, they used 10
say there. were more orators
among the various courts OF For-
eSters In the city than any other
fraternal organization. Dicks
hand showed Itself In every move
OF this weli-known court, con-
tanning rs IL did one OF the largest
rosters In the city.
We, who knew Dick Weis, liked
him: he was q jovial and friendly
fellow, and got pleasure out OF
life by occasionally contracting the
friends OF years ago. He lived IA
O good age, talked Interestingly OF
the doings OF the town when he
was O boy, and TO many OF the
older residents, was most well
come with his stories OF the hap.
penings OF long ago, brought back
by what Dick told them.
Old South Elm street, II would
seem, should be lonesome with
out Dick Weis standing around
that weil-known corner OF Pont
street.